Category: World

A Hong Kong court is due to sentence two former editors on Thursday who have been found guilty of sedition after publishing articles about the national security crackdown in the city under China – a ruling that has prompted an international outcry.
In a landmark case about media freedom, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam of the now-defunct Stand News media outlet were convicted last month – the first time journalists have been found guilty of sedition since the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997.

As much as Jun Nagao doesn’t like the idea of foreigners scooping up Japanese companies, the former 7-Eleven franchise owner thinks a takeover would bring welcome change to the retail giant where he spent decades.
Nagao, who until last year owned a 7-Eleven convenience store in Gunma, north of Tokyo, says years of strategic missteps left parent Seven & i Holdings (3382.T), opens new tab ripe for a $38.5 billion bid from Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard (ATD.TO), opens new tab last month.

He is not alone in his criticism. Reuters also spoke to nine current 7-Eleven franchisees in Japan, almost all of whom voiced disapproval of Seven & i’s strategy and welcomed the proposed buyout by Circle-K owner Couche-Tard.
While Seven & i has rejected the bid, Couche-Tard has said it remains interested. The deal would be the biggest-ever foreign acquisition of a Japanese company and would boost the Canadian retailer’s economies of scale.

Border police in China’s northeast have been given quotas to identify and expel undocumented migrants, one key aspect of broader surveillance that is making it harder for North Korean defectors to evade capture, according to previously undisclosed official documents and a dozen people familiar with the matter.
China has implemented new deportation centres, hundreds of smart facial-recognition cameras and extra boat patrols along its 1,400-kilometre frontier with North Korea, according to a Reuters review of more than 100 publicly available government documents that outline spending on border surveillance and infrastructure.

The measures took effect since the COVID-19 pandemic and have ramped up from 2023.

Cracking down on unauthorised migration helps Beijing manage a thorny issue in ties with Pyongyang while ensuring stability on China’s periphery, according to eight people, including security scholars, rights activists and a former North Korean official. It also gives China potential leverage over its neighbour because Beijing can control the fate of these undocumented North Koreans, several of them said.

“But primarily, China has feared that if too many North Koreans find refuge in China, more and more North Koreans would follow suit, and in time the outflow would destabilize North Korea and lead to reunification under South Korea and to the expansion of U.S. political and military influence on the peninsula,” said Roberta Cohen, a human rights specialist and a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state.
China’s National Immigration Administration, which is responsible for border police, and the Ministry of Public Security, which oversees the immigration agency, did not respond to queries about efforts to identify and deport North Koreans.
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said China protected “the rights and interests of foreigners in China, while lawfully maintaining the order of border entries and exits”. It said the “relevant report is completely not factual”, in an apparent reference to Reuters reporting. The ministry didn’t respond to additional questions about Reuters findings and which elements it considered incorrect.
North Korea’s embassy in Beijing and its U.N. missions in Geneva and New York didn’t respond to questions about China’s handling of defectors.
While the documents don’t explicitly identify North Koreans as targets of the surveillance and deportations, the measures are focused on areas adjoining North Korea.
Reuters found little evidence of similar actions at China’s other borders, except its porous frontier with Myanmar, where China has been tackling organised crime and recently opened a deportation centre.
In a statement, Myanmar’s government said 48,000 of its nationals were repatriated from China between 2022 and August 2024. Both countries collaborate on border management to ensure stability, it added.
BORDER PATROL
Among the documents examined by Reuters was the 2024 budget for China’s border police in Jilin province, which adjoins North Korea.
Of 163 million yuan in spending, almost 30 million yuan went to border security upgrades. That included 22.3 million yuan for an unspecified number of new patrol boats, and funding for “deportation and repatriation” of foreigners that illegally enter, live and work in Jilin.
The budget set goals for 18 border police stations and teams: Investigate and “deal with” at least 10 undocumented foreigners; spend no more than 30 days to process each deportation; and remind residents of the “harm and price paid” for aiding undocumented migrants. It lists performance metrics, including 10 points for achieving a repatriation rate of 95%.
There were no such quotas in the 2023 and 2022 budgets.
Construction also began last year on a deportation station in the border city of Dandong, in Liaoning province, while another is planned for Changchun city, in Jilin, government tenders show.
In March, Jilin border police awarded a 26.5 million-yuan contract to a Beijing sensor maker, HT Nova, to build a surveillance system that “emits high-energy rays to penetrate vehicles and goods” and can use deep learning to continuously improve its facial-recognition capabilities, according to one tender document.
The system, funded in the 2023 border police budget, would be installed at two crossings in the Changbai area, a route defectors use. The company didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Separately, a 7,713 square-metre deportation station in the town of Tumen, which was in the works before the pandemic, was completed in 2023, according to the National Immigration Administration.

Since June 2022, the agency has published several job ads seeking graduates with Korean-language ability to work at the Tumen and Changchun facilities, who would be “mainly engaged in the detention of illegal immigrants pending deportation, identity verification, and implementation of repatriation”.
POLITICAL DYNAMICS
Beijing denies that there are any North Korean defectors, instead treating them as illegal economic migrants. There is no publicly available data on deportations of North Koreans, but rights groups say the tighter surveillance has increased the risk of capture.
About 70% of defectors who tried to reach South Korea over the past two years have been arrested by Chinese police, up from about 20% previously, according to the Seoul-based Transitional Justice Working Group, which monitors deportations. China returned at least 60 North Koreans in April, said the group’s executive director, Lee Younghwan.

The number of defectors reaching South Korea has declined overall since 2017, which Seoul’s Unification Ministry said was due to tighter surveillance on the China-North Korea border, though there has been an increase since the pandemic ended.

In a statement, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Seoul is making “all-out efforts” to prevent China from forcibly repatriating North Korean defectors.

Five security scholars told Reuters that while both sides wanted to stanch the flow of defectors, China’s ability to determine defectors’ destiny gave it a card to play in diplomacy with North Korea, which is reliant on trade with China but has been forging increasingly close ties with Russia.

China “can demand something from North Korea that is beneficial to China”, said Lee Dong Gyu, a China expert at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. He said the crackdown helped Beijing from a stability standpoint, because North Korea was in economic turmoil and China did not want the effects of that spilling into its territory.

Lee Jung-hoon, an international relations professor at Yonsei University and a former South Korean ambassador-at-large for North Korean human rights, said there was a “high chance” that Pyongyang had asked China for help in blocking routes for defectors. He didn’t provide specifics and Reuters could not establish whether North Korea had made such a request.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fishing-net-police-quotas-surveillance-trap-north-koreans-china-2024-09-25/

U.S. President Joe Biden addressed world leaders at the United Nations for the final time on Tuesday, declaring that Russia’s war in Ukraine has failed and that a diplomatic solution between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah was still possible.
With four months left in office, Biden stepped up to the green-marbled lectern at the U.N. General Assembly with wars in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and Sudan still raging and likely to outlast his presidency, which ends in January.

Biden’s presidency has also been dominated by Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in the assembly hall to hear Biden speak and emphasize U.S. support for his country.

“The good news is Putin’s war has failed at his core aim. He set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free,” said Biden.

“We cannot grow weary, we cannot look away, and we will not let up on our support for Ukraine, not until Ukraine wins with a just, durable peace,” he said.

Russia controls just under a fifth of Ukraine, including about 80% of the Donbas area. Russian forces have begun storming the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, a stronghold that has resisted Russian attack since the beginning of the war, according to Russian war bloggers and state media.
Biden is due to hear from Zelenskiy about a new Ukrainian peace plan when they meet in Washington on Thursday. A U.S. official said the plan is probably much like previous plans calling for more weaponry and support for Ukraine’s fight.
Countering China and Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah, have consumed major chunks of the president’s time.

Biden said on Tuesday that progress toward peace in the Middle East would put the world in a stronger position to do “with the ongoing threat posed by Iran.”
“Together we must deny oxygen to its terrorist proxies … and ensure that Iran will never, ever obtain a nuclear weapon,” he said.
He said the United States was seeking to responsibly manage competition with China so it does not veer into conflict.
“We stand ready to cooperate on urgent challenges,” he said. “We recently resumed cooperation with China to stop the flow of deadly synthetic narcotics. I appreciate the collaboration. It matters for the people of my country and many others around the world.”
Biden also had strong words for the leaders of Sudan’s warring parties: “End this war now.”
CHALLENGES FOR NEXT US PRESIDENT
Biden’s U.N. speech is the centerpiece event of a two-day visit to New York that includes a climate speech later on Tuesday and a meeting on Wednesday with To Lam, the president of Vietnam.
Biden has been eager to deepen relations with the strategic Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub to counter Russia and China, with which Vietnam also retains ties.
Ukraine and Russia, Gaza, Iran and China all figure to linger on as challenges for the next president, whether Biden’s successor is his vice president, Kamala Harris, a Democrat, or former President Donald Trump, a Republican.
Harris’ approach to foreign policy is much like Biden’s, although she has struck a tougher tone on the tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and the humanitarian crisis in a Gaza Strip devastated by Israeli assaults.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-address-un-general-assembly-last-time-president-2024-09-24/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that the war between Russia and Ukraine cannot be calmed by talks alone, but that Moscow must be forced into peace.
Zelenskiy has sought the support of Western leaders for what he calls a “victory plan” to end the war that began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his country in February 2022.
Zelenskiy said the war would end one day but not because “someone got tired of the war” or through a trade with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a reference to proposals that Ukraine cede some territory seized by Russia to settle the conflict.

Ukraine faces an uncertain future. A victory by former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 U.S. election could prompt a reset of Washington’s policy on Ukraine, which relies heavily on U.S. military and financial support. Opinion polls show a tight U.S. race.
More than 2-1/2 years since the invasion, Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory and has been advancing in the east.

Zelenskiy has said that if his plan is backed by the West, it will have a broad impact on Moscow, including a psychological one that could help compel Putin to end the war diplomatically.
Zelenskiy has said very little so far about his victory plan except that it would act as a bridge to a second Ukraine-led summit on peace that Kyiv wants to hold and invite Russia to later this year.
Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia spoke up at the meeting to reject the 15-member council’s hosting of Zelenskiy.
“Western countries could not refrain from poisoning the atmosphere once again, trying to fill the air time with the hackneyed Ukrainian issue,” Nebenzia said of the meeting.
The top diplomats of China and the United States also clashed in the meeting.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-tells-un-russia-must-be-forced-into-peace-2024-09-24/

Having slipped undetected into Mali’s capital weeks ago, the jihadis struck just before dawn prayers. They killed dozens of students at an elite police training academy, stormed Bamako’s airport and set the presidential jet on fire.
The Sept. 17 attack was the most brazen since 2016 in a capital city in the Sahel, a vast arid region stretching across sub-Saharan Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

It showed that jihadist groups with links to al Qaeda or Islamic State, whose largely rural insurgency has killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, can also strike at the heart of power.

Overshadowed by wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, conflict in the Sahel rarely garners global headlines, yet it is contributing to a sharp rise in migration from the region towards Europe at a time when anti-immigrant far-right parties are on the rise and some EU states are tightening their borders.
According to the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), the route to Europe with the steepest rise in numbers this year is via West African coastal nations to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of shooting their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their mansion in Beverly Hills on 20 August 1989. They were 21 and 18 at the time.

Kim Kardashian has reportedly visited two brothers currently serving life sentences for the brutal murder of their parents in California 35 years ago.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of shooting Jose and Kitty Menendez multiple times at close range in their mansion in Beverly Hills on 20 August 1989. The brothers were 21 and 18 at the time.

A Netflix drama based on the true-life crime is currently top of the Netflix viewing chart.

The brothers were among inmates listening to Kardashian speak about prison reform at San Diego County’s Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility, according to US entertainment outlet TMZ.

Both brothers have been involved in a project called Greenspace, encouraging inmates to improve the appearance of prison yards to assist in their rehabilitation.

Kim was said to be with her sister Khloé, her mother Kris, and the actor who plays Erik in the Netflix show, Cooper Koch.

Last week, the real Erik Menendez criticised the Netflix show, calling it “dishonest” and “inaccurate”, hitting out at what he called “blatant lies” that made up the characterisation of his elder brother Lyle.

In a statement shared by Erik’s wife Tammi on X, he said: “I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show. I can only believe they were done so on purpose”.

He went on to accuse the show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, of “bad intent,” and said the show put back the cause of male sexual assault victims by many years.

The brothers claimed they committed the murders in self-defence after many years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

The prosecution argued they killed their parents to receive a large inheritance.

‘It’s hard to see your life up on screen’

Murphy, who made the first series of Monster about US serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, responded to the comments, saying Erik had not actually seen the show, and that it was his obligation as the show’s creator to portray both sides of the story.

Murphy told Entertainment Tonight: “It’s really hard, if it’s your life, to see your life up on screen…

“There were four people involved, two people are dead, what about the parents? We had an obligation as storytellers to also try and put in their perspective based on our research, which we did.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/kim-kardashian-visits-lyle-and-erik-menendez-in-jail-amid-controversy-over-netflix-show-13221206

The Duke of Sussex was speaking at an event in New York where he addressed “the pervasive threat that our online world poses to us, especially our children”.

Prince Harry has taken aim at the leaders of “insanely powerful” social media companies as he warned of the online dangers facing children.

The Duke of Sussex spoke at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York “about the pervasive threat that our online world poses to us, especially our children”.

Addressing the crowd after an appearance by former US president Bill Clinton, Harry said laws and regulations on social media “are different, state to state, country to country”.

“We may have different backgrounds, viewpoints, beliefs, and even access to the internet itself, but the one thing that we can universally agree on is the safety of our children,” he said.

“So why do the leaders of these insanely powerful social media companies still refuse to change? Why are we holding them to the lowest ethical standards?”

In a lighthearted moment, Harry referenced his younger days, telling the crowd: “Some say kids will be kids and well, that may well be true. Kids may get into trouble. I know a thing or two about that.

“But our kids are being targeted. The harmful effects of social media are made by design.”

The royal has been vocal about the need for social media regulation, calling online platforms more addictive than drugs and alcohol in 2019 and saying the way people use social media “isn’t working and needs to be fixed” in 2022.

It comes after Harry called on governments to work more closely with young people at a New York summit, where he also thanked winners for carrying on Princess Diana’s legacy.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/prince-harry-says-he-knows-a-thing-or-two-about-getting-into-trouble-as-he-warns-of-social-media-dangers-13221363

The firm denied ripping off the three-piece group but a jury disagreed and gave the green light for a hefty payout.

A toy company must pay $71.5m (£53m) for making dolls infringing the name and likeness of a US teen pop group.

OMG Girlz sued MGA Entertainment over its LOL Surprise! OMG dolls, arguing the company had copied their look and brand.

On Tuesday, the group finally won the long-running intellectual property case after a California jury agreed they had been ripped off.

It awarded $17.9m (£13.3m) in real damages and $53.6m (£39.9m) in punitive damages, saying their “trade dress” and “name, likeness and identity” had been infringed.

The payout goes to the group’s three members – Zonnique Pullins, Bahja Rodriguez and Breaunna Womack – and to Pullins’ mother and stepfather, Tameka ‘Tiny Harris’ and Chris T.I. Harris.

“This is for creatives everywhere,” Rodriguez wrote.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of shooting their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez in their mansion in Beverly Hills on 20 August 1989. They were 21 and 18 at the time.

It was the trial that shocked America, now 30 years later the real-life story of two brothers who killed their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion is hitting the headlines again.

Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of shooting their father and mother Jose and Kitty Menendez multiple times at close range on 20 August 1989. They were 21 and 18 at the time.

A Netflix dramatization of their story – which has drawn accusations of “dishonesty” from Erik Menendez – is currently number one in the streamer’s viewing chart.

The same platform will be putting out a documentary next month.

So, what was the Menendez brothers’ crime, and why are people so fascinated by it?

The crime, trial and punishment

On 20 August 1989 Lyle and Erik Menendez shot their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, multiple times at close range in the family mansion in Beverly Hills, California.

While the brothers initially told police they found them dead when they got home, they were eventually tried for their murder.

An initial attempt to try each brother individually in front of separate juries ended in a mistrial after both juries failed to reach a verdict.

A second trial saw the brothers tried together.

The defence claimed the brothers committed the murders in self-defence after many years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of their father, with no protection from their mother.

They said they had feared for their lives after they threatened to expose their father.

The prosecution argued the murders were motivated by greed, and they killed their parents to avoid disinheritance.

Evidence of alleged abuse from their defence case was largely excluded from the joint trial by the judge.

In 1996, seven years after the killings, a jury found the brothers guilty, and they were convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder.

They were sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Erik and Lyle Menendez, now aged 53 and 56 respectively, are currently in prison in San Diego, California.

To this day, both brothers say their actions stemmed from abuse at the hands of their parents which they say they had suffered over many years.

The Netflix drama

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story stars Oscar-winner Javier Bardem as Jose, Chloë Sevigny as Kitty, and Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as the Menendez brothers.

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has dissolved parliament to clear the way for a snap general election in the debt-ridden country, he said in a government gazette notification on Tuesday.
The parliamentary election will be held on Nov. 14, the notification said, adding that the next parliament would convene on Nov. 21.
The last general election in Sri Lanka was held in August 2020. Lawmakers are elected for a five-year term.Sri Lankans chose Dissanayake in a weekend presidential election, giving the Marxist-leaning politician a key role in deciding the future of reforms in the island country that is slowly emerging from a crushing financial crisis.
But his coalition, the National People’s Party, has just three of 225 seats in the current parliament, prompting him to dissolve the legislature to seek a fresh mandate there for his policies.

Google’s mission statement seems made to evoke warm and fuzzy feelings about how its products help everyone. “Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” Google says on its corporate site. The company used to have an even more saccharine motto: “Don’t be evil.”

But the decisions Google made in growing its massive advertising technology business were cold-blooded and carefully crafted to primarily benefit itself, the Department of Justice argued during the first two weeks of its antitrust trial.

The DOJ finished arguing its case-in-chief on Friday in a Virginia federal court, and now it’s Google’s turn to haul in witnesses, including US government agencies that use the company’s products. Its challenge: to explain why the government is wrong to call it an illegal monopoly and why its decisions reflect reasonable business judgments that it shouldn’t be forced to change.

Over more than nine days of witness testimony, the DOJ told US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema that Google manipulated the ad tech industry to revolve around itself. The government contends that through its dominance across the entire ad tech stack, Google ensured rivals couldn’t compete and publishers couldn’t walk away. DOJ counsel Julia Tarver Wood put it this way: “The rules are set so that all roads lead back to Google.”

A “slow and clunky” tool dominates the online ad world
The government’s basic argument is that Google monopolized three markets: publisher-side tools (mainly publisher ad servers, where outlets sell ad space), a subset of advertiser-side tools (where advertisers offer their ads), and the ad exchanges where auctions take place. While Google says it’s achieved a large customer base by offering good products, the DOJ argues it simply bought up competitors — like the publisher tool DoubleClick — and tied its products together to lock customers in.

The upshot, the government claims, is that Google’s customers pay higher prices for clunkier tools because the company lacks real incentives to do better. Therefore, customers have no adequate alternatives to turn to.

The government brought in witnesses across the industry to make its case, including executives from publishers like Gannett and News Corp, ad agencies, and executives from other ad tech companies, including some that tried (and mostly failed) to launch competing products. They also brought in former and current Google employees, including the CEO of YouTube, Neal Mohan, who joined Google when it acquired DoubleClick in 2008. The DOJ put Mohan on the defensive about another acquisition, Admeld, which it claims Google bought to kill an up-and-coming competitor.

Google’s publisher ad server (mostly referred to as DoubleClick for Publishers, or DFP, in the trial) holds a nearly 90 percent market share in publisher ad servers, the government claims. Publishers and rivals who testified generally could only recall one or two publishers who used a different system. That includes Disney, which created its own alternative to run bespoke ads — an undertaking few smaller media companies could fund, witnesses said.

Google’s DFP is “pretty much a foregone conclusion” for most media outlets, testified James Avery, cofounder and CEO of Kevel. That’s not necessarily because DFP itself is better; Stephanie Layser, a former News Corp programmatic advertising executive, called it “slow and clunky.” It’s because Google ties DFP to its massive AdX exchange, according to the government’s witnesses. Rejecting DFP would mean losing access to data like real-time bids from Google’s massive base of advertisers, which is vital for an industry that moves in milliseconds. When Kevel tried to launch a DFP competitor, Avery said, it failed to lure anyone away from Google — publishers were too “deathly afraid” of losing that access.

Google recognized threats — and neutralized them
The DOJ argues that once Google was top dog, it developed strategic and anticompetitive plans to lock that dominance in. That included buying up young competitors and launching new features to neutralize efforts at lessening its control. One of the DOJ’s main examples involves a system called header bidding, which publishers began adopting around 2014.

Before header bidding, publishers sold ad space through a “waterfall” method, offering the space to one ad exchange at a time, typically prioritizing whichever had previously offered the highest prices. But Google made it so that its AdX got “first look” access through DFP by calling it to submit a real-time bid before other exchanges got the chance to take part in an auction. That meant AdX could buy up any inventory it wanted as long as it met the publisher’s floor price, then pass the less desirable space to other exchanges, according to the DOJ.

Header bidding was essentially a mini auction that ran before ad space was passed off to an exchange. Publishers put code on their websites to solicit pricing bids from several exchanges at once, putting these exchanges on more equal footing in hopes that this competition would lead to a higher price.

But Google moved quickly to reestablish AdX’s power. It created a competitor to header bidding called “Open Bidding,” which let Google take an extra cut of revenue. And under the adoption of header bidding, Google’s AdX ultimately got a “last look” advantage when publishers chose to feed the winning header bid into their publisher ad server — which most often was Google’s DFP. That’s because AdX’s advertiser buyers would then have the option to bid as little as a penny more than the winning header bid to secure the most attractive ad space.

Google’s attorneys said the company was merely trying to create a better online experience, raising concerns that header bidding facilitated fraud and slowed down page load times. But internal company documents showed that executives understood the appeal of header bidding to publishers and feared it could erode Google’s control. The alleged result was that other, potentially innovative, new exchanges couldn’t operate on equal footing, and publishers ceded more and more control over Google because they felt locked in.

The DOJ claims this wasn’t the only time Google saw a threat and clawed back control. Publishers started setting a higher floor price for AdX than for other exchanges, hoping to diversify where they sold ads. Google was aware, according to internal documents, that publishers were trying to lessen their dependence on AdX. It responded in 2019 with Unified Pricing Rules, or UPR, which mandated one price for all exchanges — neutralizing the attempt.

Layser says publishers felt that UPR “took control out of our hands” and made it seem like Google was “holding us hostage.” And Google executives anticipated the blowback. “We fear this may generate pushback from publishers who may view the move as us taking away functionality they are rather attached to and consider critical to their business,” one executive wrote. But it went ahead with UPR anyway, and witnesses told the court that publishers had little choice but to remain on the platform.

This was largely possible, the DOJ claims, because Google owned products across all sides of the market. It could leverage its dominance in DFP to set policies around AdX that publishers couldn’t reject. And when another product seemed threatening, Google could use the well-worn tech giant strategy of simply buying it. Google argues this made the whole system better by letting it run more efficiently — but the DOJ claims the company was just nipping competition in the bud.

The government is also raising an issue that’s come up in other Google cases: the company’s penchant for liberally labeling business documents as attorney-client privileged and avoiding a paper trail with off-the-record chats. The DOJ is seeking an adverse inference against Google for destroying evidence, asking Brinkema to interpret any alleged missing documents as damaging. Google has disputed that it intentionally hid its operations, saying it has “produced millions of documents including chat messages and documents not covered by legal privilege.” But several Google witnesses failed to plausibly explain why their missives deserved a “privileged and confidential” label — allowing the DOJ to argue that it was because they hinted at Google’s potential monopoly power.

What’s next
Google is currently presenting its side of the story. The company is calling on witnesses that include advertisers from the federal government to help explain the value of its products. Its counsel says it expects to rest its case by Wednesday or Thursday, followed by a rebuttal from the DOJ. Closing arguments will be scheduled for later — followed by a ruling from Brinkema.

Google’s core argument is that simply having a big, successful business isn’t illegal. It argues that tying its services together and buying competitors has allowed it to offer better products. And it raises what it hopes will be a killing blow for the DOJ’s case: that according to the Supreme Court, companies can’t be forced to cut deals with competitors.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24253293/google-ad-tech-antitrust-trial-doj-case

It looks like there will be two Lady Gaga albums in the coming months.

The singer, who announced that she will be dropping the first single from her forthcoming seventh studio album next month, just announced “Harlequin,” a soundtrack album titled to the forthcoming film “Joker :Folie et Deux,” in which she stars with Joaquin Phoenix.

“Harlequin” will be released on Sept. 27 and feature 13 songs. In the lead up to the announcement, Gaga teased fans with posts to Instagram “I’m ready for my interview,” read one post, while another said: “Don’t tell me what to wear.” A third post, which was accompanied by the lone plucking of an acoustic guitar, read: “No duct tape. No mission.” She also teased the album earlier this week with billboards including the number “6.5,” which presumably means that she does not consider this a full Lady Gaga studio album, unlike the forthcoming one that has been written in shorthand “LG7.”

Gaga stars in the upcoming comic book musical “Joker: Folie À Deux,” which features singing but is “unlike anything I’ve ever done before,” she said recently in an interview with Empire. The film opens on Oct. 4. The Grammy and Oscar winner stars opposite Joaquin Phoenix in the movie as Lee, a reimagining of Harley Quinn.

The soundtrack album’s tracklist appears below — as rumored, it appears to be newly recorded versions of classic songs like “That’s Entertainment” that appear in the film.

Both albums follow her recent surprise single with Bruno Mars, “Die With a Smile.” While little information about her new album has emerged, Gaga has been hard at work for the album for several months, having teased numerous posts of her in the studio.

A rep tells Variety that “Die With a Smile” will not be included on “LG7.” Gaga said in the press materials that accompanied the song: “I was finishing up my own album in Malibu and one night after a long day he asked me to come to his studio to hear something he was working on. It was around midnight when I got there and I was blown away when I heard what he had started making. We stayed up all night and finished writing and recording the song.”

It seems likely that Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Andrew Watt — who came up as a pop producer but has leaned heavily into rock, producing the Rolling Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds” last year as well as projects with Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne and others — is involved as well: He also posted on social media about the Gaga/Bruno song on Thursday. Also, a photo circulated last fall of her in the studio with longtime collaborator Bloodpop and vocal producer/engineer Benjamin Rice.

Source: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/lady-gaga-joker-2-album-harlequin-13-songs-1236154532/

Thalia Graves, the latest woman to sue Sean “Diddy” Combs for allegedly “violently” raping her in 2001, detailed in an emotional press conference Tuesday the trauma she continues to live with to this day.

“It’s a pain that reaches into your very core of who you are,” the accuser explained as she cried during a press conference held by her attorney, Gloria Allred, in Los Angeles.

Graves, who wore a white blouse, black skirt and hoop earrings, wiped away her tears with a tissue as she further explained how the “shame” and “guilt” she still feels affects her ability to “function properly.”

She said she has often blamed herself and felt responsible for what allegedly happened to her back in 2001, when Combs and his then-head of security, Joseph Sherman, sexually assaulted her in a Bad Boy Records studio in New York City, as stated in her recently filed complaint.

Allred told press that Combs and his co-defendant allegedly recorded their alleged assault on Graves without her consent and then sold it “as pornography.”

However, the high-powered lawyer — who often represents alleged victims of sexual abuse — explained that although she can’t speak to her current client’s “degree of consciousness” during the alleged rape, she “would never have consented to the video taping and did not consent.”

In the complaint, they allege that Combs gave Graves a drink “likely laced with a drug that eventually caused her briefly to lose consciousness.”

Allred added in the press conference, “[She] did not authorize the video taping in the same way that she alleges she would have never consented to being victimized in the way that she was.”

Graves further detailed the negative impact the alleged incident has had on her life, including putting a strain on her “selection of men and relationships.”

“Many relationships became aggressive and abusive, which has made me feel even more alone in my struggles,” she said.

“I go through spells of being distant and withdrawn. It is so hard leaving my house. The trauma of the assault has taken a toll on my mental health.”

Graves said that when the alleged rape first took place, she was going through a divorce so she did not have the right support system around her even back then.

As a result, she now deals with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

“I am emotionally scarred,” Graves admitted in the press conference. “It has been hard for me to trust others …or even feel safe in my own skin.”

She said she still deals with “flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts,” which have also resulted in lasting physical effects on her body such as “chronic” pain and “sexual discomfort.”

It has created a “cycle of suffering,” she added, but pointed out that her lawsuit is part of her “journey of healing.”

“I am glad that he is locked up, but that is a temporary feeling of relief,” Graves concluded.

Allred did not comment on why her client has decided to come forward with her allegations — although in the complaint it was alleged Graves had a fear of retaliation.

The lawyer also noted, though, that her client’s claims are not the same as those pertaining to Combs’ ongoing federal lawsuit.

Source: https://pagesix.com/2024/09/24/celebrity-news/emotionally-scarred-woman-who-sued-diddy-for-violent-2001-rape-still-dealing-with-ptsd-trauma/

Children’s eyesight is steadily getting worse with one in three now short-sighted or unable to see things in the distance clearly, a global analysis suggests.

The researchers say Covid lockdowns had a negative impact on eyesight as children spent more time on screens and less time outdoors.

Short-sightedness, or myopia, is a growing global health concern which is set to affect millions more children by 2050, the study warns.

The highest rates are in Asia – 85% of children in Japan and 73% in South Korea are short-sighted with more than 40% affected in China and Russia.

Paraguay and Uganda, at about 1%, had some of the lowest levels of myopia, with the UK, Ireland and the US all about 15%.

The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, looked at research involving more than five million children and teenagers from 50 countries across all six continents.

Their number-crunching revealed that short-sightedness tripled between 1990 and 2023 – rising to 36%.

And the increase was “particularly notable” after the Covid pandemic, the researchers say.

Myopia usually starts during primary school years and tends to worsen until the eye has stopped growing, at about 20 years of age.

There are factors that make it much more likely – living in East Asia is one of those.

It is also down to genetics – the traits children inherit from their parents – but there are other factors too, such as the particularly young age (two years old) that children start their education in places like Singapore and Hong Kong.

This means they are spending more time focusing on books and screens with their eyes during their early years, which strains the eye muscles and can lead to myopia, research suggests.

In Africa, where schooling starts at the age of six to eight years old, myopia is seven times less common than in Asia.

During Covid lockdowns worldwide, when millions had to stay indoors for lengthy periods, children and teenagers’ eyesight took a hit.

“Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between the pandemic and accelerated vision deterioration among young adults,” the researchers write.

By 2050, the condition could affect more than half of teens worldwide, the research predicts.

Girls and young women are likely to have higher rates than boys and young men because they tend to spend less time doing outdoor activities at school and at home as they grow up, the study suggests.

Girls’ growth and development, including puberty, starts earlier which means they tend to experience short-sightedness at an earlier age too.

Although Asia is expected to have the highest levels compared with all other continents by 2050, with nearly 69% short-sighted, developing countries may also reach 40%, the researchers say.

How do I protect my child’s eyesight?
Children should spend at least two hours outside every day, particularly between the age of seven and nine, to reduce their chances of being short-sighted, say UK eye experts.

It is not clear if it is the presence of natural sunlight, the exercise taken outdoors or the fact that children’s eyes are focusing on objects that are further away that makes the difference.

“There is something about being outside that is a real benefit to children,” says Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical adviser from the UK College of Optometrists.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0m099zm4wyo

Women working in hospitals in Pakistan say they regularly face sexual harassment, violence and verbal abuse, from male colleagues, patients and their families.

Following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at work in an Indian hospital, more than a dozen female medics in Pakistan told the BBC they were worried about their own safety.

But this is a largely hidden crisis, as many are too scared to come forward to report the crimes – while those who do are often told no one would believe their allegations.

Most of the women the BBC spoke to asked that their names be withheld for fear of losing their jobs, “honour and respect”.

A few months ago, a young doctor came to Dr Nusrat (not her real name) in tears. While she was using the toilet, a male doctor had filmed the woman through a hole in the wall and was using the video to blackmail her.

“I suggested filing a complaint with the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency, which handles cyber crimes], but she refused. She said she didn’t want it to be leaked and reach her family or in-laws,” Dr Nusrat explained, adding that she knows of at least three other cases where female doctors have been secretly filmed.

Dr Nusrat happened to know someone senior in the police who spoke to the blackmailer, warning him he could be arrested for what he had done. The police officer made sure the video was deleted.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t take further action, but we got the hole covered so that no-one could do it again,” says Dr Nusrat.

Other women shared experiences of being sexually harassed, including Dr Aamna (not her real name), who was a resident medical officer in a government hospital five years ago when she was targeted by her senior doctor, a powerful man.

The root of the problem lies in a lack of trust and accountability, according to Dr Summaya Tariq Syed, the chief police surgeon in Karachi and head of Pakistan’s first rape crisis centre.

She describes her 25 years of service as a constant battle against violence and betrayal, and says she has been disappointed with how things are handled.

She recounts how, a few years ago when she was in a different role, she was shut in a room by colleagues who wanted her to change what she had written in a post-mortem examination report about someone who had been killed.

“They said, ‘Sign it or you have no idea what we’ll do to you’,” but she refused. Given the senior position of one of the people involved, she says, no action was taken against them.

Another female doctor at a government hospital in Punjab explains that it can be hard for women to report abuse.

“The [hospital] committees that do exist often include the same doctors who harass us, or their friends. So why would anyone file a complaint and make their life even more difficult?”

There are no official statistics available on assaults against female health workers in Pakistan. However, a report in the US National Institutes of Health in 2022 paints a troubling picture. It indicates that up to 95% of nurses in Pakistan have faced workplace violence at least once in their career. This includes assault and threats as well as verbal and mental abuse, from colleagues, patients and hospital visitors.

This tallies with a report in the Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, which quotes a 2016 study of public sector hospitals in Lahore that suggested 27% of nurses had experienced sexual violence. It also cites a study from Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkha province that indicated that 69% of nurses and 52% of female doctors there had experienced some sort of sexual harassment in the workplace from other staff.

Dr Syed recounts a particularly disturbing attack that happened in Karachi in 2010: “A doctor at a government hospital lured a nurse to his hostel, where he wasn’t alone – two other doctors were there as well.” The nurse was raped and was so distraught that she jumped off the roof and was in a coma for about a week. “Nothing that happened was consensual. But she decided not to pursue the case.”

Dr Syed believes that society often blames victims and if the nurse had reported it “the blame would have fallen on her”.

Harassment and threats come from patients, their friends and families too, she says, describing how members of the public attacked her team while they were handling bodies in the mortuary last year.

“Two people had to ward off blows from a person who tried to hit me, just because I told him not to make videos.”

She registered a complaint with the police and is now waiting for the case to work its way through court. “We must continue our part of the fight – staying quiet will only strengthen the culprits.”

Other female doctors also describe a lack of security as a problem, especially in state-run hospitals, where they say anyone can walk in unchecked. At least three said people who attacked them were ordinary citizens who had entered the hospital while drunk. Drinking alcohol is largely banned in Pakistan.

Dr Saadia (not her real name) explains that several of her colleagues at a major government hospital in Karachi have been repeatedly sexually harassed. “It’s often people under the influence of drugs wandering into the hospital,” she says.

“One evening, a colleague was on her way to another ward when a drunken man started harassing her. Another time, a different doctor was attacked. Some other doctors managed to get rid of the man, but there were no security guards around.”

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y9g751xg4o

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is currently tracking three asteroids scheduled to pass Earth on 25 September 2025.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is currently tracking three asteroids scheduled to pass Earth on 25 September 2025. The asteroids—2025 SG, 2025 SF, and 2025 RK7—pose no threat, but offer a prime opportunity for scientific study. These celestial visitors will safely glide past the planet, presenting a rare moment to observe space objects up close.

Asteroid 2025 SG: House-Sized Object

A late inquiry kept US gymnast Jordan Chiles off the podium. But who is to blame? The judges, the technology, or the way we measure time itself?

At the Olympics, seconds matter. Anyone who’s watched the Games — or, really, any athletic competition — knows the difference even a fraction of a second can make. It’s the difference between a basketball going up just before the buzzer sounds instead of the moment after and the difference between a championship and an elimination.

This persnickety counting is only supposed to matter on the field of play itself — the court, the pitch, and, in the case of gymnastics, the mat. But at the women’s floor final in Paris, four seconds off the podium have become more important than any flips and twists done during the competition. These four seconds have spiraled into a monthslong saga that implicated the officials managing the sport and immiserated the athletes who’ve been caught up in this mess.

It began in the seconds after the women’s floor exercise final. US gymnast Jordan Chiles completed her routine and sat down to await her score. She was the last one to compete, and her mark would determine the final rankings of the artistic gymnastics event in Paris. Chiles had helped the US team take gold but kept missing out on opportunities to win solo medals. This floor final was her one and only shot on any individual hardware.

When her score of 13.666 was posted, Chiles smiled, but not her typical exuberant one. She had placed fifth, less than a tenth away from a medal.

Nearby, Ana Barbosu of Romania was smiling and laughing as the reality of the bronze started to sink in. This medal marked Romania’s return to the Olympic medal podium for the first time since 2012. The once dominant program that had fallen off the cliff competitively for over a decade had finally clawed its way back to relevance.

But things weren’t as final as some of the gymnasts thought. Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, one of Chiles’ coaches, had momentarily disappeared to submit an inquiry into her difficulty score, and the Superior Jury, which handles such matters, had accepted it. Chiles’ 13.666 became a 13.766, which launched her from fifth to third and onto the podium.

When the new score was announced, Chiles sprinted down the sideline, passing Barbosu who was standing on the competition podium with a Romanian flag, and collapsed in tears. Barbosu looked around, momentarily confused, the crushing disappointment just starting to hit her. She had been bumped down to fourth and out of the medals.

The ecstasy of victory and the agony of defeat in a single frame — the sort of thing that the Olympics is known for. Inquiries, on the other hand, though ubiquitous in gymnastics, usually happen with far less fanfare, and viewers rarely take note of them. Scores go up by a tenth or two and sometimes go down. Usually, all of that gets left on the field of play.

But here, another competition — between the two countries’ teams and between the different organizations that mediate Olympic gymnastics — was just beginning.

Within 24 hours of the medal ceremony, Romania had brought a complaint before the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) seeking to overturn the results. Initially, according to the evidence submitted by Chiles’s legal team, they tried to challenge the outcome of the inquiry on gymnastics grounds, saying that the jump that was subject to review was insufficiently rotated and shouldn’t have been credited. That didn’t work. Their second objection was about an erroneously applied out of bounds deduction that took Sabrina Voinea-Maneca out of the medals. Had her coach — who is also her mother — inquired into this deduction, Voinea-Maneca would’ve had the bronze.

The case that was presented in front of CAS said nothing about an underrotated leap. The focus shifted from performance to, simply, bureaucracy: they decided to question the timing of Chiles’ inquiry though Voinea-Maneca’s out of bounds deduction remained in the conversation, too.The Romanian Gymnastics Federation claimed Chiles’s challenge was submitted too late and should have never been considered in the first place.

This had the feel of a fishing expedition, of trying different tacks to find one that would give Romania the bronze medal they felt that they had earned, one way or the other; it didn’t even matter which of the two Romanian gymnasts went home with the bronze.And this gambit worked. CAS concluded that Chiles’ inquiry had been submitted too late. Her inquiry was timestamped four seconds beyond the one-minute time limit, according to Omega, the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. This result was devastating for the American gymnast. Chiles’ score reverted to 13.666, and she was dropped back to fifth place. Barbosu was elevated to the bronze medal position.

But determining whether Chiles’ inquiry was really four seconds over time is a much fuzzier task than simply looking at a clock — and Chiles’ team argued that they had been wronged.

At last year’s world championships in Antwerp, Kathi-Sue Rupp, a Category 2 Brevet level men’s gymnastics judge who served as one of the inquiry officials, described the process for filing an inquiry. The screen of the tablet that she worked from had two sections: one that had a list of the gymnasts who had just finished their routines within the last minute and another that had gymnasts who had completed their routines within the last four minutes. It’s a bit more complicated in qualifications or all-around competitions since more than one gymnast is competing at the same time. But the athletes went up singly at the Paris floor final, making for a less dizzying process. The inquiry official who accepted Landi’s challenge wouldn’t have had a list of names to go through to find Chiles’. By the time her score was flashed, it was too late for anybody else to file one.

“If a gymnast or coach had an inquiry, they would come over to the inquiry desk [and] tell me that they wanted to put in an inquiry for whoever the gymnast was,” Rupp said. “I would look for their name on that list underneath a minute, pull up, open their file, ask them, ‘Okay, you didn’t agree with the D score. What D score do you think it should have been?’ I would then need to input the D score that they think it should have been and hit submit.”

Everything in the process takes time, from the coach approaching to her asking them for the name of the athlete and the skill they want to look into. “Me just saying that took more than four seconds,” Rupp pointed out.

There is no mechanism stopping an inquiry from being submitted even if it is processed after the allotted time, according to Alain Zobrist, chief executive of Omega. “We’re just providing the judges with the technology according to the rules of the Federation,” he told The Verge when explaining how the system works relative to this specific field of play. Basically, the way that Zobrist presents the case, Omega is a glorified log-creating service. (They do other timing functions in gymnastics, despite it being a “scoring sport,” because there are time limits on certain events, like floor exercise and balance beam. Also, when a gymnast falls from an apparatus, they have a limited time to remount and resume their routine, and Omega would time that as well.)

Source: https://www.theverge.com/24240873/paris-olympics-2024-gymnastics-jordan-chiles-controversy

The U.S. is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East in response to a sharp spike in violence between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that has raised the risk of a greater regional war, the Pentagon said Monday.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, would not say how many more forces would be deployed or what they would be tasked to do. The U.S. now has about 40,000 troops in the region.

On Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, two Navy destroyers and a cruiser set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, headed to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment. The ships’ departure opens up the possibility that the U.S. could keep both the Truman and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Arabian Gulf, in the region in case more violence breaks out.

“In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region,” Ryder said. “But for operational security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics.”

The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of a widening air campaign. He spoke as Israeli warplanes struck alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.

The U.S. has “concrete ideas” for restoring calm along the Israel-Lebanon border that it will present to allies and partners this week on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders, a senior State Department official said Monday.

The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the private diplomatic efforts, said the U.S. and numerous other countries were eager to present an “off-ramp” for both Israel and Hezbollah to reduce tensions and prevent an all-out war.

The official would not detail what the “concrete ideas” are because he said they had yet to be presented to allies and partners for what he termed a “stress test” for their likelihood of success.

The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.

“Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the State Department cautioned Saturday.

Ryder would not say if the additional forces might support the evacuation of American citizens if needed.

U.S. officials said a decision is expected soon, possibly this week, on whether the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier will stay in the Middle East or continue to the Asia-Pacific.

Having two carrier strike groups in the Middle East at the same time has been relatively rare in recent years. But as violence has spiked between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, both Iranian-backed militant groups, the Biden administration has ordered the Navy to have the carriers and their warships overlap for several weeks on a couple occasions.

It will take the Truman aircraft carrier about two weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean and get into the Mediterranean Sea. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements.

There is already a Marine amphibious ready group in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard, which is expected to be able to assist in an evacuation if needed.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held back-to-back calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend as he pressed for a cease-fire and a reduction of tensions in the region, Ryder said.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-violence-war-hezbollah-63a15fa390a94acf46ef886cc5fb88db

Erik and Lyle Menendez speak out for the first time in decades in the official trailer for “The Menendez Brothers,” a new documentary feature streaming on Netflix in October. The brothers were convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, in 1996 in a trial that captivated the nation and which is currently the subject of Netflix’s narrative series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.”

“Everyone asks why we killed our parents,” Lyle says in an audio interview from prison. “Maybe now people can understand the truth.”

“What happened that night is very well known but so much hasn’t been told,” adds Erik. “We were not the ones who told the story about our lives. Two kids don’t commit this crime for money.”

The official synopsis for “The Menendez Brothers” documentary from Netflix reads: “In 1996, Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted for the murders of their parents in what became one of the most famous criminal cases of the late 20th century. For the first time in 30 years, and in their own words, both brothers revisit the trial that shocked the nation. Through extensive audio interviews with Lyle and Erik, lawyers involved in the trial, journalists who covered it, jurors, family and other informed observers, acclaimed Argentinian director Alejandro Hartmann offers new insight and a fresh perspective on a case that people only think they know.”

She’s the Queen of Pop — and of fashion.

Madonna set the stage for Dolce & Gabbana’s spring/summer 2025 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday, arriving in a black lace veil that shrouded her entire body.

The “Vogue” singer, 66, paired a matching slit-up-to-there slip dress and corset with the dramatic head covering.

She accessorized with a jaw-dropping gold Alta Gioielleria necklace set with giant diamonds and Bianco d’Istria stone carved skulls — plus a gold and crystal crown, per a press release from the brand.

While Madge certainly turned plenty of heads from the front row, the runway presentation was just as eye-catching — and even paid tribute to some of her most iconic looks.

Models including Irina Shayk strutted their stuff on the catwalk in blond curly wigs, cone bras, white lace dresses and more Blond Ambition-coded creations.

Founders and designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana tipped their hats to the star — who also serves as a face of the brand — by embracing her at the end of the show and hosting an afterparty in her honor.

“Thank you @madonna for believing in us from the very start. Who we are today is, in no small part, because of you! Love,” they wrote on Instagram.

“Sensuality, attitude and character. Italian Beauty emerges as the essence of the #DGSS25 Women’s Fashion Show: statement bras, sheer lingerie, shimmering dresses,” the brand explained of the inspiration.

Source: https://pagesix.com/2024/09/23/style/madonna-brings-the-drama-in-black-lace-veil-at-dolce-amp-gabbana-show-in-her-honor/

Scientists have made incredible discoveries over the years, from unraveling how gravity works to understanding the structure of atoms. Yet, even with all these breakthroughs, some of the universe’s biggest questions still puzzle researchers. From the mysterious nature of dark matter to the possibility of intelligent life beyond Earth, we’ve gathered the top six scientific mysteries that experts across eight publications agree remain unsolved. Is there a question that’s nagging you? Let us know below.

1. How did the Universe form?

The universe is infinite and mind-boggling, but how it all began is still a mystery and the number one question on the minds of many. Even Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest theoretical physicists, couldn’t pinpoint the answer. According to Reader’s Digest, some experts wonder if the universe had a beginning or has always existed.

The Big Bang may explain the universe’s evolution, but how it came into existence remains unknown. Was there something before the Big Bang, or did the universe appear out of nothing? According to World Atlas, the problem lies in the clash between two key theories—general relativity, which governs large-scale phenomena like gravity, and quantum mechanics, which rules the microscopic world. Until scientists bridge that gap, the universe’s true origins will remain one of physics’ biggest unsolved puzzles.

To understand how this happened, cosmologists use massive computer simulations, like the “Millennium Run” by scientists at Durham University, to virtually recreate the Universe. Sky At Night Magazine explains that researchers then compare these digital galaxies to the ones we see in space. Interestingly, one model fits the data well, suggesting that most of the Universe’s matter is made of dark particles that barely interact with regular atoms but are crucial in shaping galaxies.

2. What happens inside a black hole?

Black holes have such intense gravity that light can’t escape, making their interiors a mystery. However, Stephen Hawking theorized that information isn’t trapped inside but lingers on the event horizon, technically making it accessible. As Reader’s Digest points out, this theory creates a paradox since the event horizon exists outside the black hole—keeping scientists scratching their heads.

World Atlas says that until scientists can unite quantum mechanics and general relativity, the true nature of what lies inside black holes will remain a puzzle. This challenge has stumped even the brightest minds in physics, as each theory works perfectly on its own, but breaks down when applied together.

According to Urbo, Einstein’s theory of general relativity unlocked the mysteries of black holes, predicting they form when massive stars collapse. But what happens next? As a black hole gets smaller, it becomes infinitely dense, according to Einstein. However, scientists now think quantum physics is the key to truly understanding what happens at a black hole’s most extreme point.

3. How will the Universe end?

Scientists have yet to figure out how the Universe will end, just as they can’t fully explain how it began. What they do know is that life on Earth won’t last forever. Our Sun, like all stars, will eventually die. As Reader’s Digest points out, the Universe’s ultimate fate hinges on unknowns like its shape and density.

According to Sky at Night Magazine, many astronomers believe that thanks to dark energy, the Universe’s expansion will never slow down or reverse, leaving it to keep expanding indefinitely. As a result, the Universe may outlive people, planets, and even stars.

Don’t worry, though. The Universe is not going to end anytime soon, according to World Atlas. The Universe is currently 13.8 billion years old, and it will likely continue to exist for trillions upon trillions of years. While there are many good theories on how the Universe will end, the information scientists do have is far too limited to know for certain.

4. What is dark matter?

Scientists believe most of the Universe is made up of dark matter, a mysterious substance that neither emits light nor energy. While they know what dark matter isn’t, they still can’t figure out what it is. Reader’s Digest says that until scientists crack this puzzle, the Universe’s fate will remain one of its biggest mysteries.

Given that dark matter makes up 95 percent of the Universe, you would think the mystery would be solved by now, but it hasn’t. According to Watch Mojo, galaxies wouldn’t hold their shape without it, but we don’t know what it is, how it works, or why it’s so abundant.

For years, scientists thought dark matter might be made of WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles), but these haven’t shown up in experiments like those at the Large Hadron Collider. Now, Science Focus reports researchers are looking at other candidates like the super-light axion or even primordial black holes from the Big Bang.

Source: https://studyfinds.org/unanswered-scientific-questions/?nab=0

Appearing on stage at a Diana Award summit in New York, Prince Harry – talking about problems “we… create… for ourselves” – said “surely, one of the solutions here” is for governments to bring young people “into decision-making”.

Prince Harry has called on governments around the world to more actively involve young people in decision-making, as part of an event marking Princess Diana’s legacy.

The Duke of Sussex made the remark during a panel discussion organised by The Diana Award in New York to talk about the mental health crisis facing young people.

Talking to two Diana Award winners on stage with him, Harry said: “Surely, one of the solutions here is for governments to implement or at least offer or find people, young people like yourselves, and bring them into decision making, policy making situations right before the problems exist.

“We’re very, very good at creating problems for ourselves to try and solve. But surely, by bringing young people in at the early stages for those solutions, surely that is where the difference is going to be made”.

In the past, as a working member of the royal family, he wouldn’t necessarily have been so direct when making what some may see as political comments. Now he’s stepped away from official duties he doesn’t appear to feel the same restraints.

His involvement in the discussion was his first public engagement since he turned 40.

He was joined by the award’s chief executive Dr Tessy Ojo, and Diana Award winners 27-year-old Christina Williams – a youth advocate from Jamaica – and 18-year-old Chiara Riyanti Hutapea Zhang from Indonesia.

The event was to launch a youth wellbeing project, encouraging teenagers and those in their 20s to feel empowered to speak up on mental health.

Harry then praised the winners for continuing his mother Diana’s legacy, saying: “I applaud you, at your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do, and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/prince-harry-calls-on-governments-to-work-more-closely-with-young-people-and-thanks-award-winners-for-carrying-on-dianas-legacy-13220894

A lawyer representing a group of women claiming they were abused by the former Harrods owner has told Sky News the number of enquiries they’ve received has risen by dozens.

Mohamed al Fayed’s legacy will be “smashed”, an alleged victim of the former Harrods boss has said, as a lawyer tells Sky News the number of women coming forward has soared.

Five women have alleged they were raped by Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with several others alleging sexual misconduct.

Harrods said last week it is “utterly appalled” by the allegations and said it is a “very different organisation to the one owned and controlled by Fayed between 1985 and 2010”.

A lawyer for the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, Maria Mulla, said they were representing 37 women last Thursday – with 100 more enquiries over the weekend.

Cheska was 19 when she said Fayed grabbed her arms and kissed her as he claimed to be helping her acting career in his apartment, adding he could not help if she didn’t sleep with him.

She didn’t think she stood much of a chance against Fayed when she first went public in 2018, but she believes it is different now, even if it is a “shame” he isn’t here to face the allegations.

“I think it gives everyone a sense of closure, this smashes his legacy, which is the next best thing I think that we can get,” she told The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee.

“Because no one else seemed to be standing up publicly, I felt there was no way I was going to be able to stack against someone like him, so I didn’t proceed.

“It’s very different now. I hope that everybody does get some kind of peace from this, apart from anything else.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) twice decided not to prosecute Fayed after reviewing files of evidence presented by the police on the former Harrods owner.

Evidence was shown to the CPS in 2009 and 2015, but it decided not to go ahead with the prosecution because there was not “a realistic prospect of conviction”.

Cheska, who said she received a letter about the chance to work as Fayed’s assistant, did not return to Harrods after Fayed’s alleged actions and said nobody contacted her to check where she was.

She worked there for just one week.

“Amazingly, a lot of women have been extremely brave to tell their story, it’s just a shame that he is not here to face these allegations,” she added.

Harrods investigating current staff link

On Monday, Harrods said it is investigating if any current staff at the high-end department store are involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.

“The Harrods settlement process was designed in consultation with independent external counsel and experts in personal injury litigation,” the company said.

“All claims settled to date and moving forward will be based on the guidance of these external individuals to ensure swift and impartial outcomes for the victims.

“As part of our due diligence, there is an ongoing internal review (supported by external counsel) including looking at whether any current staff were involved in any of the allegations either directly or indirectly.

“In addition, the Harrods Board has established a non-executive committee of the Board to further consider the issues arising from the allegations.

“Harrods is also in direct communication with the Metropolitan Police to ensure we are offering our assistance with any of their relevant inquiries.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/mohamed-al-fayeds-legacy-smashed-says-alleged-victim-as-number-of-women-coming-forward-soars-13220908

A female cat has more freedom in Afghanistan than a woman does, Hollywood actor Meryl Streep said at the United Nations on Monday in a bid to get world leaders to focus on the plight of Afghan women and girls.
“The way that … this society has been upended is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world,” Streep told an event on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to encourage the inclusion of women in the future of Afghanistan.

What a pity to be pretty.

The gorgeous people of the Internet have recently lamented the alleged disadvantages to life that come with their good looks, contrary to popular belief of so-called “pretty privilege.”

On Reddit, a thread asking folks — their physical appearances unclear — “What was your horrible experience for being attractive?” has gone viral with a bevy of various answers.

A few were understandable, particularly around the recurring theme of “unwanted attention” and harassment, others say it affects their reputation as well.

“Apparently I want everyone’s husbands,” one woman responded.

Another person who works with children said they hear the same from parents, too.

“I have been accused a few times of flirting with men when I’m literally just doing my job. I don’t want your crusty a– man. Some days I barely don’t want my own man,” they wrote.

In other cases, users recalled the harshness of small criticism — after rejecting someone themselves.

“Being attractive enough to get hit on but when you’re not interested they pick out something to make you feel like s–t about so they don’t feel bad for being rejected,” another wrote.

“I’ve met a shocking amount of men who think if they can get my self-esteem low enough, I’ll be into them. It’s insane,” one replied to the comment.

Apparently, this applies to friendships as well.

“When people who are your ‘friends’ take every chance they can to criticize your appearance or anything else, whatever little crumb of shade they can use to ‘humble’ you,” cried one Redditor.

“I’ve experienced others pretending to be friends just to be seen with me,” added a fellow drop-dead gorgeous individual.

Apparently, friendships can become “difficult” when you’re good-looking as your appearance may cause close pals to feel insecure — “even if you think highly of them,” wrote another.

Someone else added that “people often assume I’m vain, which isn’t true.”

Others clapped back and the stereotype of having just body and no brains as well.

Source: https://nypost.com/2024/09/23/lifestyle/hot-people-complain-about-the-horrible-experience-of-being-good-looking/

MEN’S brain shrink rise and fall in volume as hormones ebb and flow throughout the day, a study suggests.

A study that scanned a 26-year-old’s brain 40 times over 30 days indicated that men’s brains shrink by 8pm before resetting overnight.

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, say this cycle of growing and shrinking coincides with rising and falling levels of steroid hormones: testosterone, cortisol and estradiol.

Study co-author Laura Pritschet – now a postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine – said: “Males show this 70 per cent decrease from morning to night in steroid hormones.

“You can think of it almost like a pulsating rhythm from morning to night,” she told Live Science.

Women’s hormones also fluctuate daily but it’s not as pronounced, as the menstrual cycle simultaneously drives longer-term shifts in hormones, she noted.

Researchers scanned a man’s brain in the morning and evening for a month.

The study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, found that his overall brain volume decreased throughout the day, as did the thickness of the cortex, the brain’s outermost layer.

The volume of grey matter – which plays a significant role in mental functions, memory, emotions and movement – fell by an average of about 0.6 per cent by each night, researchers found.

Two regions of the cortex, the occipital and parietal cortices, shrank the most. These are involved in visual and sensory processing.

Deeper brain structures, such as the the cerebellum, brainstem and parts of the hippocampus, also saw changes throughout the day.

These parts of the brain are involved in coordinating movement, relaying information between the brain and body, and storing memories.

Though changes in brain structure coincided with the daily ebb and flow of steroid hormones, researchers aren’t yet sure if the hormones are driving the changes.

Study co-author Elle Murata, a doctoral student in psychology and brain sciences at UCSB, told Live Science: “I’m convinced that hormones impact the brain and brain structure.

“But in this study, we can’t say that it’s directly causing it.”

But she said “this is another example debunking the myth that hormones are only relevant for females”.

It comes after separate UCSB research found that ‘pregnancy brain’ is a thing – with scans showing how the brain undergoes a “metamorphosis” in the process of having a baby that lingers years afterwards.

Previous studies have also found that taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – which tops up waning levels of oestrogen and progesterone during menopause – can prevent the brain from shrinking as you age and could prevent memory decline over time.

For the more recent UCSB study on men’s brains, the 26-year-old participant underwent brain scans and blood tests every 12 to 24 hours for 30 consecutive days.

At each session, he completed a questionnaire to assess levels of stress, sleep, and his mood.

Source: https://www.the-sun.com/health/12518825/mens-brains-shrink-everyday-reset-overnight-hormones/#

A man shattered a sculpture by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei on Friday during the opening of his exhibition at Palazzo Fava in the Italian city of Bologna, a spokesperson for the show said.

Footage from CCTV cameras — posted on Ai Weiwei’s Instagram account — showed a man vigorously pushing the sculpture over, breaking it and then holding a piece of it over his head.

The sculpture targeted was the artist’s large blue and white “Porcelain Cube,” the spokesperson said.

The exhibit’s curator, Arturo Galansino, said the perpetrator was well-known in the art world.

“Unfortunately, I know the author of this inconsiderate gesture from a series of disturbing and damaging episodes over the years involving various exhibitions and institutions in Florence,” said Galansino.

The police in Bologna told local media a 57-year old Czech man had been arrested after being stopped by the museum’s security. The police could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/23/style/italy-man-smashes-ai-weiwei-sculpture-hnk-intl/index.html

The arrest of Sean Combs last week, on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, represents a stunning reversal of fortune for the hip-hop impresario, who as recently as a year ago was feted as an industry visionary before a sudden series of sexual assault accusations.

The indictment against Mr. Combs accuses him of running a criminal enterprise centered on abusing women, and of using bribery, arson, kidnapping and threats of violence to intimidate and silence victims. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

But Mr. Combs’s arrest has also stirred the hopes of activists and survivors of sexual violence that his case may finally lead to lasting change in the music industry. Though long seen as inhospitable to women, the business has largely avoided the scrutiny and accountability that swept Hollywood, politics and much of the media world at the peak of the #MeToo movement in the late 2010s.

There is no single explanation for why music dodged a similar reckoning. Some point to the industry’s decentralized power structure, its pervasive party culture and a history of deference to artists and top executives.

“Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, the looseness with sexuality — that is baked into the culture of the music industry,” said Caroline Heldman, a professor at Occidental College and a longtime activist. “Unfortunately, that means that rape culture is baked into it, because there aren’t mechanisms of accountability.”

Shaunna Thomas, the executive director of UltraViolet, a women’s advocacy group, pointed to the Combs case as a potential turning point and noted the string of lawsuits filed recently when states and cities temporarily lifted statutes of limitations on accusations of sexual assault. In New York and California, sexual assault cases have been filed against stars like Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, Jermaine Jackson and the producer L.A. Reid.

“It has created an opening that we have not seen before this moment,” Ms. Thomas said.

For many women in the music industry, the peak of the #MeToo movement in 2017 and 2018, when powerful men like Harvey Weinstein, Bill O’Reilly and Eric T. Schneiderman, the former attorney general of New York, were brought down by journalistic exposés of sexual misconduct, was a lost opportunity. The music industry’s major power centers were unaffected despite some accusations against prominent artists and executives, like Russell Simmons, a founder of the Def Jam label; the singer-songwriter Ryan Adams; and the shock rocker Marilyn Manson.

The industry has long been trailed by complaints of rampant harassment and abuse, enabled by work routines that blur into late-night parties where drugs and alcohol are readily available. It remains largely controlled by men, and women say that those who complain of harassment or abuse are exiled or silenced with legal settlements that include nondisclosure agreements.

“Pretty much the entire music industry is a toxic work environment,” said Jennifer Justice, a lawyer whose résumé includes top positions at Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s company, and the festival producer Superfly.

In a 2018 survey of more than 1,200 musicians, 72 percent of female respondents said they had been discriminated against because of their sex, and 67 percent of them said they had been a victim of sexual harassment.

Drew Dixon, who worked in music in the 1990s and 2000s but said her career was cut short after she was abused by Mr. Simmons and Mr. Reid, the producer — both of whom she has sued — said accusers faced tremendous pressure from a business designed to protect its stars at all costs.

“You’re not just going up against the person who assaulted you,” Ms. Dixon said. “You are going against everyone who benefits from their brand and revenue stream. Those forces will mobilize against any accuser. It’s daunting.”

Ms. Dixon sued Mr. Reid for sexual assault; in court papers, he has denied her allegations. In an interview with The New York Times that was published in 2017, she accused Mr. Simmons of raping her; earlier this year, she sued Mr. Simmons for defamation after he suggested in an interview that her accusation was a lie.

Others cite the legal struggles faced by the pop star Kesha, in the years immediately before #MeToo, as a discouraging example.

In 2014, Kesha accused Dr. Luke, her producer, of drugging and raping her, in a lawsuit in which she asked to be released from contracts that he controlled. Although Kesha drew support from fans and other female artists, her suit was dismissed by a judge, and she had to defend a defamation claim by Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald. The two finally settled last year, after almost a decade of litigation.

Part of what made the accusations against men like Mr. Weinstein and the Fox News chief Roger Ailes catch fire in the news media is that they were made by famous women, like Hollywood actresses and the Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. When accusations were made in the music world — against stars like Diplo or Trey Songz — they often did not involve well-known women, and media coverage was limited.

That changed when Cassie, the R&B singer who was Mr. Combs’s longtime girlfriend, filed a bombshell suit in November accusing Mr. Combs of years of physical and sexual abuse.

The case was settled in one day, with a lawyer for Mr. Combs saying that he denied the claims. But her suit drew headlines around the world and prompted a cascade of suits by other women who also accused Mr. Combs of sexual assault and violence; some said Cassie’s case had inspired them to speak out after years of silence.

“It needed to be somebody super famous for it to hit the music industry,” said Tiffany Red, a songwriter who had worked closely with Cassie and has been a vocal critic of the industry. “When people saw Cassie do it, it was really impactful, the way it was when these famous movie stars came out about Harvey Weinstein. Then it blew open.”

Source: https://dnyuz.com/2024/09/23/sean-combss-arrest-has-the-music-world-asking-is-our-metoo-here/

Melania Trump has barely been seen on the campaign trail this year. One of the few times she has appeared at a political event, she’s received a six-figure paycheck – a highly unusual move for the spouse of a candidate.

The former first lady spoke at two political fundraisers for the Log Cabin Republicans this year, and she was paid $237,500 for an April event, according to former President Donald Trump’s latest financial disclosure form. The payment was listed as a “speaking engagement.”

Trump’s latest disclosure form said Melania Trump was paid by the Log Cabin Republicans for the April fundraiser. But it’s a mystery who actually cut the check: Charles Moran, president of the Log Cabin Republicans, told CNN earlier this month the group did not put up the money for her to speak, and the disclosure form did not give any more information about the source of the payment.

Ahead of the other fundraiser in July for the conservative LGBTQ group, a person familiar said at least one request was made to a donor about a similar payment. It’s unclear whether Melania Trump was ultimately paid. The campaign has not put out the financial disclosure for that period. The source told CNN that Ric Grenell, former ambassador to Germany and a Trump ally, was the one who made the request on behalf of Melania Trump. Sources said Grenell has also helped the former first lady with other business ventures.

Campaign finance and government ethics experts say a payment to a presidential candidate’s spouse to appear at political fundraisers in an election is unusual, ethically questionable and should, at the very least, be properly noted in the disclosure forms.

“It seems pretty self-serving. From my own general observation, I’m not used to seeing that,” said Virginia Canter, the chief ethics counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/23/politics/melania-trump-speaking-engagements/index.html

Hundreds were killed and wounded on Monday, Lebanese authorities said.

The Israeli military expanded its Lebanon campaign with hundreds of airstrikes on Monday, as the long-simmering border conflict with Hezbollah threatened to explode into a larger war.

Dozens of Israeli warplanes struck more than 1,300 targets in southern Lebanon on Monday morning, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

At least 492 people were killed and more than 1,600 wounded in the ongoing strikes, among them women, children and medical personnel, the Lebanon Ministry of Public Health said. Of those killed, 35 were children and 58 were women, the ministry said.

Israel also said it launched a targeted strike in Beirut. At least six people were injured in that airstrike on a residential building in Bir al-Abd, a southern suburb of Beirut, according to Lebanese state media.

Hezbollah officials said senior commander Ali Karaki — who Israeli sources confirmed was the target of the Beirut strike — survived the attack.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel was changing “the security balance, the balance of power in the North.”

“For those who have not yet understood, I want to clarify Israel’s policy — we do not wait for a threat, we anticipate it,” Netanyahu said. “Everywhere, in every arena, at any time. We eliminate senior officials, eliminate terrorists, eliminate missiles — and our hands are bent.”

“Whoever tries to hurt us, we hurt him even more,” he added.

The attacks coincided with a warning by from IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari of more planned Israeli strikes against Hezbollah “terrorist infrastructure” in the border region and elsewhere.

Hagari said civilians in Lebanese villages used by Hezbollah for military purposes should “immediately move out of harm’s way for their own safety.”

Video and photos showed bumper-to-bumper traffic as people tried to flee southern cities.

Following the intense strikes in the south of the country on Monday morning, Hagari said the IDF would soon start hitting targets in the eastern Bekaa Valley — another Hezbollah stronghold. Hagari claimed that every house by Israeli munitions contained “rockets, missiles, UAVs that are intended to kill Israeli civilians.”

Hezbollah returned fire across the border with dozens of projectiles, the IDF said, with alarms sounding across the region. Some munitions were intercepted and some fell in open areas, the force wrote on social media.

There were about 250 launches from Lebanon into Israel on Monday, according to Israeli Emergency Officials. Hagari said there had been about 700 launches in the last week.

Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service reported at least one man injured by shrapnel in the Lower Galilee area and another lightly hurt while making his way to a shelter.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-poised-expand-lebanon-strike-campaign-hezbollah/story?id=113920475

The tool being tested by Avon and Somerset Police is one of dozens of “ground-breaking” innovations that could soon be rolled out across the UK.

Some of the country’s most notorious cold cases could be solved with the help of an artificial intelligence tool that can do 81 years of detective work in just 30 hours.

Avon and Somerset Police are trialling the technology which can identify potential leads that may not have been found during a manual trawl of the evidence.

The Soze tool – developed in Australia – can analyse video footage, financial transactions, social media, emails and other documents simultaneously.

An evaluation showed it was able to review the evidential material in 27 complex cases in just 30 hours – which it is estimated would have taken up to 81 years for a human to do.

Gavin Stephens, the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said the technology could be used to help close some of the country’s oldest and most notorious unsolved cases.

“I could imagine this sort of thing being really useful for cold case reviews,” he told reporters.

“You might have a cold case review that just looks impossible because of the amount of material there and feed it into a system like this which can just ingest it, then give you an assessment of it. I can see that being really, really helpful.”

It comes after Sky News reported fewer police officers from the UK’s largest force are working on unsolved murder cases, while last week the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley described his force as “dangerously stretched”.

Five Met officers are moving from a specialist cold case department investigating the 30-year-old murder of Atek Hussain to bolster basic command units.

Mr Hussain, 32, was stabbed in the heart as he returned from work in September 1994. He managed to stagger to his home and tell his family that his attackers were Asian before collapsing.

The Met said the case is not currently active, but no unsolved murder investigation is ever closed and Mr Hussain’s case was last reviewed by its Serious Crime Review Group in August.

Mr Stephens said the Soze tool is one of “dozens of ground-breaking programs” which could soon be rolled out across the UK.

They include an AI tool to build a national database of knives, which could be used to put pressure on retailers, and a system that allows call handlers to focus their attention on speaking to domestic abuse victims.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/ai-tool-that-can-do-81-years-of-detective-work-in-30-hours-trialled-by-police-13220891

Israel attacks Hezbollah targets in airstrikes that Lebanese authorities say killed at least 492 people – while comments from Israel’s defence minister suggest its military is preparing for a longer conflict.

Israel will do “whatever is necessary” to push Hezbollah from its northern border with Lebanon, its military spokesman has said.

At least 492 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Monday – including 35 children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Israel attacked hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon’s deadliest day in decades, with 58 women also reported killed and 1,645 people wounded.

Middle East latest as huge queues form in Lebanese city

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was “not looking for wars” but that its army is in “full readiness” when asked if the conflict could escalate.

Civilian casualties are a “tragedy”, he said, but insisted Israel “makes vast efforts not to hit civilians and make every effort to mitigate harm to civilians”.

“Among those killed were a large number of Hezbollah terrorists who were next to the weapons that we targeted,” added the spokesman.

After Hezbollah was rocked by pager and radio explosions last week, widely believed to be the work of Israeli intelligence, its military warned people to evacuate areas where it claims the group is storing weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country faced “complicated days” as it stepped up attacks against Hezbollah – which has also been firing rockets into Israel and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.

“I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of power in the north – that is exactly what we are doing,” Mr Netanyahu said.

Israel’s military has also announced it is targeting the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and defence minister Yoav Gallant said its action in the country would continue until “we achieve our goal to return the northern residents safely to their homes”.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, has vowed to fight on until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel’s military said it hit around 800 targets connected to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa valley on Monday.

It also said it targeted senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki, commander of the southern front, though the group later said he was “fine” and had been “moved to a safe place”.

It did, however, confirm that a field commander, Mahmoud Al Nader, had died in an airstrike on Monday.

At least 30 decomposing bodies have been found on a boat off the coast of Senegal, military authorities say.

The navy was informed of a vessel that was adrift about 70km (45 miles) from the capital Dakar, according to a military statement on X. They brought the wooden canoe, or pirogue, into port on Monday morning.

“Recovery, identification and transfer operations are being made extremely delicate by the advanced state of decomposition of the bodies,” the statement said.

There has been a recent increase in migrants setting off from Senegal for Spain’s Canary Islands – a journey of more than 1,500km (950 miles) across the Atlantic Ocean.

Given how decomposed the bodies were, the migrants were probably adrift on the Atlantic Ocean for many days before fishermen found them.

Investigations are underway to determine when and where the boat departed, and how many people were on board, the army said.

In August, at least 14 decomposing bodies, believed to have been Senegalese migrants, were found off the coast of the Dominican Republic by a local fisherman.

Senegal’s government announced a 10-year plan in August to tackle illegal migration amid a surge in migrant-related deaths.

The authorities have intercepted hundreds of migrants on boats off the country’s coast in recent weeks.

Despite frequent tragedies, unemployment, conflict and poverty drive young men to risk the route from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands.

Some Senegalese fishermen say they can’t survive by fishing any longer because of the presence of foreign trawlers off the coast, so they turn to either migration, or offering their boats to be used by people smugglers.

Young West African migrants have been increasingly using the Canary Islands route to reach Europe because it involves a single, albeit dangerous, journey rather than needing to cross both the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyljem2xpdo

The US is planning to ban certain hardware and software made in China and Russia from cars, trucks and buses in the US due to security risks.

Officials said they were worried that the technology in question, used for autonomous driving and to connect cars to other networks, could allow enemies to “remotely manipulate cars on American roads”.

There is currently minimal use of Chinese or Russia-made software in American cars.

But Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the plans were “targeted, proactive” steps to protect the US.

“Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet,” she said in a statement.

“It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens.”

Chinese officials said the US was broadening “the concept of national security” to unfairly target Chinese firms.

“China opposes the US’s broadening of the concept of national security and the discriminatory actions taken against Chinese companies and products,” said Lin Jian, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement.

“We urge the US side to respect market principles and provide an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.”

The proposal, which will now enter a comment period, is the latest from the White House aiming to limit China’s presence in the car manufacturing supply chain.

The White House has also raised tariffs on electric cars, batteries for electric vehicle and a range of other items. It has separately banned the import of Chinese-made cargo cranes, warning of cyber-security risk.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyegl8q80do

The Bird Photographer of the Year award has been announced, with Canadian photographer Patricia Homonylo scooping the top prize for her thought-provoking image titled When Worlds Collide.

The picture was taken in Toronto and beat more than 23,000 entries to claim the prize.

The photograph shows more than 4,000 birds that died colliding with windows and other reflective surfaces in the city.

“Each year more than one billion birds die in North America alone due to collisions with windows,” says Homonylo.

“I am a conservation photojournalist and have been working with the Fatal Light Awareness Program, where we save window-collision survivors in Toronto.

“Sadly, most of the birds we find are already dead.

“They are collected and at the end of the year we create this impactful display to honour the lives lost and increase public awareness.”

Homonylo’s entry was also among the winners selected for the Conservation (Single Image) category.

The Young Bird Photographer of the Year 2024 was awarded to 14-year-old Spanish photographer Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco for his creative angle on a nuthatch scrambling down an oak tree.

Photographers competed in a eight of different categories in the adult competition, including a Conservation Award, Portfolio Award, and Video Award.

Here is a selection of the pictures that were awarded a gold, silver or bronze, with descriptions by the photographers.

Playful Fledgling, Southern California, United States by Jack Zhi

“This Peregrine Falcon fledgling had been flying for over a week and his skills had improved by the day.

“While he still took food from parents, he had started to practise his hunting skills.

“He was not good enough to catch live birds in the air yet, so he took baby steps by chasing a fluttering butterfly.

“I have been photographing peregrines for years, and this was the first time I have seen fledglings play with butterflies.”

Black Grouse, Kuusamo, Finland by Markus Varesvuo

“For several weeks each year, Black Grouse gather at [the] leks on spring mornings for courtship and display.

“The males come down, each claiming their patch, and spend a couple of hours sizing each other up, charging at each other, engaging in mostly mock battles.

“Sometimes, however, the encounters escalate to real fights.

“The heated breath of a solitary fighter is steaming in the cold air, which I captured while sitting inside a small photography hide, revelling in the sounds and sights of this ancient play.”

Heavenly Elegant Flight, France by Nicolas Groffal

“In the dead of winter, I marvel at the aerial ballet of the garden birds that come to visit my trees and to take advantage of the seeds that I put out for them.

“Discreetly hidden, I tried to immortalise their flight and its delicate trail using a flash and camera in ‘rear curtain’ mode.

“Hundreds of shots were required before I captured the perfect moment, which portrayed the fleeting magic of nature in winter.”

Immersion, Shetland, UK by Kat Zhou

“I took the image from a raised platform high above the wetland.

“With a little bit of imagination, the combination of bird and ripples look like the head of a hippo.”

 Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4d92n5p4do

A mentally ill man who killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket in 2021 was sentenced Monday to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.

Victims’ relatives recounted in pained testimony the lives gunman Ahmad Alissa destroyed in the 2021 attack in the college town of Boulder.

“To the person that’s done this, we hope that you suffer for the rest of your life. You are a coward,” said Nikolena Stanisic, whose only sibling, Neven, was killed. “I hope this haunts the defendant until the end of time. The defendant deserves the absolute worst.”

Stanisic recalled going out to ice cream with her brother the night before he was shot and how he would sometimes help her with bills. Their household — once filled with talk and laughter — is now mostly silent, she told the court.

Defense attorneys did not dispute that Alissa, who has schizophrenia, fatally shot 10 people including a police officer. But they argued he was insane at the time of the attack and couldn’t tell right from wrong. He became the latest person to fail in an attempt to be acquitted by reason of insanity.

In addition to first-degree murder, the jury found Alissa guilty on 38 charges of attempted murder, one count of assault, and six counts of possessing illegal, large-capacity magazines.

Judge Ingrid Bakke sentenced him to 10 consecutive life prison sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders and an additional 1,334 years for the other offenses.

“This was not about mental illness. This was about brutal, intentional violence,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.

Alissa, now 25 years old, declined through his attorneys to make a statement during his sentencing.

The courtroom was packed largely with victims’ families and police, including officers shot at by Alissa. Several members of Alissa’s family sat behind him.

Alissa started shooting immediately after getting out of his car in a King Soopers store parking lot in March 2021. He killed most of the victims in just over a minute and surrendered after an officer shot him in the leg.

The daughter of killed Officer Eric Talley lamented the life milestones they would not be able to share. But Madeline Talley said she would not hold onto bitterness and forgave Alissa.

“He taught me to believe that God brings good out of evil,” Madeline Talley said of her father.

Others weren’t ready to forgive. Robert Olds — whose niece, Rikki, was killed — said Alissa’s family should have been held criminally responsible because their “ignorance, inattentiveness and inaction” led directly to the attack.

Alissa did not visibly react as the verdict was read. During sentencing, he looked at times toward the victims’ relatives as they spoke. For much of the time he sat hunched over, talking to his attorney or writing.

Defense attorneys later declined comment.

Prosecutors had to prove Alissa was sane. They argued he didn’t fire randomly and showed an ability to make decisions by pursuing people who were running and trying to hide from him. He twice passed by a 91-year-old man who continued to shop, unaware of the shooting.

He came armed with steel-piercing bullets and illegal magazines that can hold 30 rounds of ammunition, which prosecutors said showed he wanted to make the attack as deadly as possible.

Jurors asked during deliberations to review videos of Alissa killing the victims, complying with commands as he was arrested and later being interviewed by psychologists.

Several members of Alissa’s family, who immigrated to the United States from Syria, testified that he became withdrawn and spoke less a few years before the shooting. He began acting paranoid and showed signs of hearing voices, they said, and the condition worsened after he got COVID-19 in late 2020.

Alissa was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the attack, and experts said the behaviors described by relatives were consistent with onset of the disease.

Psychologists who evaluated Alissa concluded he was sane during the shooting. The defense did not have to provide any evidence and did not present any experts to say that Alissa was insane.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/colorado-supermarket-shooting-ahmad-alissa-71d0750ba3b096dcbe51b390eee5d7db#

Sri Lankans elected Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake as new president on Sunday, putting faith in his pledge to fight corruption and bolster a fragile economic recovery following the South Asian nation’s worst financial crisis in decades.
Dissanayake, 55, who does not possess political lineage like some of his rivals in the presidential election, led from start to finish during the counting of votes, knocking out incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa.

“Mr. President, here I handover to you with much love, the dear child called Sri Lanka, whom we both love very dearly,” Wickremesinghe, 75, said in a statement conceding defeat.

Dissanayake polled 5.6 million or 42.3% of the votes, a massive boost to the 3% he managed in the last presidential election in 2019. Premadasa was second at 32.8%.

It was the first time in the Indian Ocean island’s history that the presidential race was decided by a second tally of votes after the top two candidates failed to win the mandatory 50% of votes to be declared winner.

Under the electoral system, voters cast three preferential votes for their chosen candidates. If no candidate wins 50% in the first count, a second tally determines the winner between the top two candidates, using the preferential votes cast.
About 75% of the 17 million eligible voters cast their ballots, according to the election commission.
This was the country’s first election since its economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving it unable to pay for imports of essentials including fuel, medicine and cooking gas. Protests forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee and later resign.

Dissanayake presented himself as the candidate of change for those reeling under austerity measures linked to a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund bailout, promising to dissolve parliament within 45 days of taking office for a fresh mandate for his policies in general elections.

“The election result clearly shows the uprising that we witnessed in 2022 is not over,” said Pradeep Peiris, a political scientist at the University of Colombo.

“People have voted in line with those aspirations to have different political practices and political institutions. AKD (as Dissanayake is popularly known) reflects these aspirations and people have rallied around him.”

Dissanayake has worried investors with a manifesto pledging to slash taxes, which could impact IMF fiscal targets, and a $25 billion debt rework. But during campaigning, he took a more conciliatory approach, saying all changes would be undertaken in consultation with the IMF and that he was committed to ensuring repayment of debt.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sri-lankas-marxist-leaning-dissanayake-early-lead-become-president-2024-09-21/

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a “Pact for the Future” on Sunday, which U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described as a landmark agreement that is a “step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism.”
The pact, opens new tab, which also includes an annex on working toward a responsible and sustainable digital future, was adopted without a vote at the start of a two-day Summit of the Future. The agreement came after some nine months of negotiations.

“We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” Guterres told the summit.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT
Guterres long-pushed for the summit and the pact, which covers themes including peace and security, global governance, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations. It lays out some 56 broad actions that countries pledged to achieve.
KEY QUOTES FROM THE PACT FOR THE FUTURE
“We recognize that the multilateral system and its institutions, with the United Nations and its Charter at the centre, must be strengthened to keep pace with a changing world. They must be fit for the present and the future – effective and capable, prepared for the future, just, democratic, equitable and representative of today’s world, inclusive, interconnected and financially stable.

“Today, we pledge a new beginning in multilateralism. The actions in this Pact aim to ensure that the United Nations and other key multilateral institutions can deliver a better future for people and planet, enabling us to fulfil our existing commitments while rising to new and emerging challenges and opportunities.”
CONTEXT
Global crises have spotlighted the need for U.N. reform and overhauling international financial systems. These challenges include ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan; lagging climate change mitigation efforts; widespread national debt issues; and concerns over technology advancing without governance.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/un-adopts-pact-that-aims-save-global-cooperation-2024-09-22/

SpaceX plans to launch about five uncrewed Starship missions to Mars in two years, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday in a post on social media platform X.
Earlier this month, Musk had said that the first Starships to Mars would launch in two years “when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens.”
The CEO on Sunday said that the first crewed mission timeline will depend upon the success of the uncrewed flights. If the uncrewed missions land safely, crewed missions will be launched in four years. However, in case of challenges, crewed missions will be postponed by another two years, Musk said.

The ex-director also alleged that Fayed ‘bugged’ phones and offices ‘to set everyone against each other’.

A former Harrods director told Sky News he does not see how security at the department store “wouldn’t have known” about Mohamed al Fayed’s behaviour towards women.

Five women have alleged they were raped by Fayed, who died last year at the age of 94, with several others alleging sexual misconduct.

A legal team representing alleged victims confirmed on Saturday morning they have “had over 150 new inquiries” since the airing of a BBC documentary on Fayed.

The Harrods’ ex-director, who reported directly to Fayed, said: “There was security everywhere, all the phones and offices were bugged, with cameras everywhere.

“I just put it down to paranoia, wanting to know he was getting his pound of flesh from us. The nature of the man was to set everyone against each other, to set directors against each other.

“Whether Fayed’s own offices or stuff had surveillance, I wouldn’t know. But to get into his suite of offices you had to have an appointment, PAs had to arrange it, it was very secure.”

He added: “The only thing I was aware of was that someone said he had lots of PAs and they were all blondes. I thought that he just wanted to surround himself with pretty women.”

The former director, who spoke to Sky News on the condition of anonymity, said the culture at Harrods was toxic.

“It was very much keep your head down, no one helped each other. It wasn’t a team as you knew Fayed was trying to catch everyone out.

“He was always trying to make fun of people in front of others, which he thought was very funny.”

Tom Bower, who wrote an unauthorised biography of Fayed in 1998, told Sky News that he was a “gangster, a monster and also a major crook”.

He alleged that he used “intimidation not only over women but over witnesses”.

“Harrods was his hunting ground but wherever he was, was a hunting ground for him.”

Harrods said in a statement on Thursday it was “utterly appalled” by the allegations of abuse and apologised to Fayed’s alleged victims.

The department store has also set up a page on its website inviting former employees to come forward if they have allegations.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has defended Sir Keir Starmer after it emerged the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to bring charges against Fayed while the prime minister was director of public prosecutions.

The CPS considered bringing charges against the former Harrods chairman in 2009 and 2015 but concluded there was not “a realistic prospect of a conviction”.

The minister told Sky News that tackling violence against women was a “personal priority” while Sir Keir was head of the CPS as director of public prosecutions between 2008 and 2013.

“I don’t know the details of what happened in 2009, there sometimes can be issues with the evidence that’s presented by the police, whether that can lead to a conviction,” Ms Phillipson said.

“The first time that I ever knew who Keir Starmer was when I saw him on television as director of public prosecutions, talking about the personal priority that he attached to tackling violence against women and girls, so he’s got a personal commitment to it.

“He turned the CPS around while he was leading it to focus on that. But, clearly, if there have been issues that should be considered, that should happen.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/ex-harrods-director-reveals-how-paranoid-mohamed-al-fayed-created-toxic-culture-at-store-13219844

“We will never reach Mars if Kamala wins,” says SpaceX founder Elon Musk. The red planet has become the latest ammo in the US presidential race.

Elon Musk has vowed to get “anyone who wants to be a space traveller” to Mars – but not if Kamala Harris becomes US president.

On Sunday night, Musk told his X followers that in just two years, he will send five spaceships to Mars.

“Eventually,” he added, “there will be thousands of Starships going to Mars and it will [be] a glorious sight to see!”

However, the vocal Donald Trump supporter said another Democratic presidency “would destroy the Mars programme and doom humanity” by drowning it in red tape.

Musk also said earlier in the month: “We will never reach Mars if Kamala wins.”

It’s a claim repeated by Republican candidate Mr Trump.

On Saturday, he vowed to reach Mars during his presidency if his supporters get him to the White House.

“I’ll talk to Elon,” he said at a rally. “Elon, get those rocket ships going.”

SpaceX is known for its high-risk high-reward attitude to space exploration, and is now NASA’s main mode of transport for getting astronauts to the International Space Station.

The company has consistently innovated in space; just two weeks ago, it helped an American billionaire become the first person to take part in a risky private spacewalk.

But despite the leaps made by SpaceX in the two last decades, Musk says he is frustrated by how “stifling” bureaucracy and restrictions are in the US.

“One of my biggest concerns right now is that the Starship programme is being smothered by a mountain of government bureaucracy that grows every year.”

If Musk’s unmanned Starships can arrive safely on Mars in two years, he says he will send crewed missions by 2028.

He has previously said he would like to see a self-sustaining colony on Mars in just 20 years.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/elon-musk-will-take-anyone-to-mars-but-not-if-kamala-harris-becomes-us-president-he-says-13220526

Sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor created The Alluvia for the River Stour in his hometown of Canterbury, but an online backlash followed after some felt the work was “tone-deaf”.

The artist who created a sculpture which has been called “disturbing” and “shocking” says he’s been “surprised” at the backlash but welcomes difficult conversations it might inspire.

Jason deCaires Taylor told Sky News: “I don’t strive of my artwork to divide people or cause upset. But I do try to talk about issues that are pertinent and relevant to our current times.”

The 50-year-old artist has a history of producing political work but says this one contained “no political intentions at all” and is based on the painting which inspired Shakespeare‘s tragic heroine Ophelia.

The Alluvia – which is made from recycled glass and steel and features LEDs which light up at night – was installed in the River Stour, in Taylor’s hometown of Canterbury in Kent around a week ago.

However, comments posted on Canterbury City Council’s official Facebook page have included accusations that the work is “tone-deaf” and “offensive”.

One wrote: “I can’t be the only person who finds this deeply offensive. She looks like a drowned woman. How did the council not see the link to women as victims of crime or the sad fact so many drown off the Kent coast as refugees.”

Another said: “I find this sculpture absolutely appalling. It’s not just offensive, it’s downright disturbing. The imagery of a submerged figure, reminiscent of a drowning victim, is both morbid and utterly tone-deaf given the tragic drownings that occur along our coastlines. What on earth were the council thinking?”

Others stood up for the work, with one commenting: “More people seem to be “disturbed”, “offended” and “shocked” by this than they do by images of actual drownings which are happening daily along our coasts. Rather than wasting your hate on an artwork that is designed to provoke, why not put some of that energy into something constructive?”

Another wrote: “It’s a beautiful piece of art and nowhere near as disturbing as the previous sculptures that it has replaced. What kind of world do we live in when anything that offends or “triggers” someone, must be removed??”

The sculpture had replaced two similar female forms, also created by Taylor, which had been in the water since 2008 but which had been damaged due to dredging.

‘If it fosters care and sympathy, that’s good’

Taylor told Sky News: “I was surprised… 99.9% of all the feedback that I’ve received has been very positive… But at the same time, I appreciate everybody takes something different from everything they see.”

While he says there is “no connection” between the work and the ongoing migrant crisis taking place further along the Kent coast, he hopes it could inspire empathy for what’s happening out in the Channel.

He said: “It’s an extremely tragic situation, and I don’t think ignoring it is the solution. If [this work] can foster any kind of care and sympathy for that situation, then I think that’s a good thing.”

More than 21,000 people arrived in the UK in small boats between January and September, according to government figures, with at least 45 people dying in Channel crossings this year.

Taylor also said the fact the subject is a young woman is because it draws reference from Sir John Everett Millais’s celebrated painting, on display at Tate Britain.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/artist-behind-disturbing-sculpture-says-its-not-intended-to-cause-upset-13219881

The early morning raid has sparked condemnation, with the Foreign Press Association urging Israel to reconsider, adding that the action “threatens press freedom”.

Israeli forces have raided the West Bank office of news network Al Jazeera and ordered it to shut down.

The early morning raid in the city of Ramallah sparked condemnation, with the Foreign Press Association urging Israel to reconsider and saying the action “threatens press freedom”.

Al Jazeera, a Qatar-funded broadcaster, aired footage of Israeli troops ordering the office to be shut for 45 days live on its Arabic-language channel.

The network later aired what appeared to be Israeli troops tearing down a banner on a balcony used by the Al Jazeera office. The media company said it bore an image of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian-American journalist shot dead by Israeli forces in May 2022.

Ramallah bureau chief Walid al Omari said the Israeli order to shut down accused Al Jazeera of “incitement to and support of terrorism”.

He said the soldiers had confiscated the office’s cameras before leaving.

A further 16 people are injured and 17 miners are still missing after the gas explosion in a coal mine in Iran’s South Khorasan province.

At least 31 people have been killed and 16 are injured after a methane leak sparked an explosion at a coal mine in eastern Iran, state media reports.

Another 17 miners are still unaccounted for after the explosion struck a mine in Tabas, some 335 miles southeast of the capital, Tehran, late on Saturday.

Local media had reported earlier in the day that 51 people were killed following the accident they said was caused
by a methane gas explosion in two blocks, B and C, of the privately-owned mine operated by the Madanjoo company.

The fate of those missing remained unknown as rescuers were still 400 metres away from their likely location.

They were expected to reach it by tomorrow after removing rubble and excess gas.

There were 69 people working in the mine at the time of the blast, Iranian state TV has reported.

The rescue operation at block B has reportedly been completed.

Methane density in block C is high and a rescue operation that is under way there is expected to take three to four hours, local governor Ali Akbar Rahimi told state TV earlier today.

“76% of the country’s coal is provided from this region and around 8 to 10 big companies are working in the region including Madanjoo company,” Mr Rahimi said.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/at-least-31-killed-in-iran-after-methane-leak-sparks-coal-mine-blast-13219786

Who doesn’t love going to a fun-filled city with plenty to see and do on vacation? While that might be fun during the day, a new study finds it’s a lot less exciting when you finally try to get some rest! From the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong to the pulsating nightlife of Las Vegas, travelers seeking peaceful slumber may want to pack some extra earplugs before visiting several cities around the world.

The study, conducted by Onebed, evaluated popular tourist destinations based on five key factors: average noise levels, negative hotel reviews focused on sleep quality, air quality, tourist numbers, and how long local nightclubs stay open at night. The results paint a vivid picture of cities where the phrase “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” might feel way too literal.

Topping the list is Hong Kong, earning the dubious honor of being the most sleep-disruptive destination worldwide. The city’s cacophony of sounds reaches an average of 91.4 decibels, rivaling the noise level of a lawnmower! Have you ever tried to sleep while listening to a lawnmower all night?

Perhaps more telling is that a staggering 73% of local hotel reviews complain about poor sleep quality. With nightclubs pumping until 5 a.m., it’s clear why Hong Kong might leave tourists more bleary-eyed than bright-eyed.

Hot on Hong Kong’s heels is Cancun, Mexico. This popular beach destination cranks up the volume to an ear-splitting 103 decibels on average – louder than a rock concert. It’s no wonder that 66% of hotel reviews note that vacationers had trouble sleeping. The city’s reputation for wild nightlife, with clubs closing at 4 a.m., cements its position as a challenging spot for those seeking restful nights.

Rounding out the top three is none other than Las Vegas, Nevada. True to its reputation as a city that never sleeps, Vegas boasts noise levels of 94 decibels and welcomes over 40 million tourists annually — the highest total in the top 10. With 57% of reviews noting sleep issues and a nightlife that rages until 4 a.m., it’s clear that what happens in Vegas might just be a lot of tossing and turning.

Source: https://studyfinds.org/travel-hotspots-sleep-impossible/?nab=0

After a confusing turn of events on Sunday, reps for Janet Jackson tell Variety that an unusually worded “apology” for the singer’s ill-informed comments about Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ racial background was made by a person who is not the singer’s manager, as he had claimed, and thus was not authorized to speak on her behalf.

The unauthorized “apology,” first reported by Buzzfeed and repeated by multiple major outlets, was made by a man named Mo Elmasri who — apparently inaccurately — claimed to be the singer’s manager. It reads: “Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments. She recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation. Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused. She values the diversity Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating that in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding.”

However, the singer has been managed by her brother Randy for many years. The siblings are said to be mourning their older brother Tito, who died last Sunday at the age of 70, and unavailable for comment.

Contacted by Variety, Elmasri claimed in an email, “I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve.” He then offers “All my support” to Vice President Harris. Jackson’s reps did not immediately have a response, although sources close to her team tell Variety that Elmasri is not known to have been directly associated with the singer.

Elmasri’s bio on the Internet Movie Database says he is an Egyptian filmmaker and founder of a consulting firm called 24 East Agency, and claims to be a “creative consultant for many global superstars,” including Jackson, Beyonce, Britney Spears and Selena Gomez. His film credits include being an executive producer on the upcoming “Janet Jackson: Family First,” although his two other listings are “uncredited.” Elmasri emailed Jackson’s “apology” to Variety earlier on Sunday, with himself listed as her manager, but Variety did not publish his statement until her rep clarified that it was unauthorized.

Jackson’s comments about the vice president were part of a recent interview with The Guardian that also saw the singer expressing concern about the potential chaos surrounding the upcoming November election. She expressed uncertainty about the information she’d been “told” about Harris’ racial background, but proceeded with the statements anyway.

“‘Well, you know what they supposedly said?’” Jackson told the news outlet. “‘She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.’”

When informed that Harris is both Black and Indian, Jackson pushed back, asserting that the presidential nominee’s father is neither.

“Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days,” she said. “I was told that they discovered her father was white.”

Her comments seemed to echo those former president Donald Trump told journalists in August that Harris, his Democratic opponent, “turned Black” for political gain.

Source: https://variety.com/2024/music/news/janet-jackson-apology-kamala-harris-not-authorized-1236152776/

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 53, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, so psyched you found us, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)

This week, I’ve been reading about Beyoncé and Rosanna Pansino and Bowen Yang, pouring my life back into Todoist, watching the end of The Grand Tour, catching up on some My Brother, My Brother and Me episodes, seeing if the Pixel Recorder app can replace my trusty voice recorder, and moving Headspace to my homescreen to see if it helps me meditate more. (So far… no.)

I also have for you a truly wild new pair of AR glasses, a Batman-adjacent show on HBO, a great new book about the end of Twitter, a funny twist on social networks, and much more. Lotta good new TV this week! Let’s do it.

(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What are you super into right now? What should everyone else be reading / playing / watching / buying / downloading / building out of Legos right now? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)

Four members of the same family, including two young children, have died in a gas explosion in southern Italy.

Their two-storey home in the town of Saviano, near Naples, partially collapsed in the blast, killing the siblings – a boy and a girl – as well as their mother and grandmother.

The father and a newborn baby were recovered from the rubble alive, Italian firefighters said.

He remains in hospital in Naples in serious condition, while the baby’s injuries are not life-threatening, local media reported.

The Vigili del Fuoco, Italy’s fire service, reported that the parents and three children lived on one floor of the property, while another woman – said to be the grandmother – lived on the floor above.

“Firefighters recovered the father and a newborn baby alive, entrusting them to the care of the health workers on site, while they could do nothing for the two children, a boy and a girl, whose bodies were unfortunately recovered lifeless,” The Vigili del Fuoco said in a statement.

While authorities have not confirmed the ages of the children, local media reported that they were four and six.

The explosion occurred at around 07:00 local time (06:00 BST), the Vigili del Fuoco said.

Firefighters found the children and father in the morning, then spent the day searching through the rubble, not locating the mother until 16:45.

Firefighters’ spokesman Luca Cari told reporters during the day that rescuers had to be “very careful and move slowly, to avoid new collapses” as they searched, the Associated Press reported.

Search and rescue teams, operating with sniffer dogs, continued the search for the grandmother into the night, announcing they had found her and had wrapped up the search at 01:00.

Investigations are continuing into the exact cause of the building’s collapse, but early theories suggest the house collapsed after a gas explosion.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r8zvdl5jvo

Four people were killed and 17 others injured when multiple shooters opened fire Saturday in what police described as a targeted “hit” on one of the people killed at a popular nightlife spot in Birmingham, Alabama.

The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday in Five Points South, a district filled with entertainment venues, restaurants and bars that is often crowded on weekend nights. The mass shooting, one of several this year in the city, unnerved residents and left city officials pleading for help to both solve the crime and address the broader problem of gun violence.

“The priority is to find these shooters and get them off our streets,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said at a Sunday press conference.

The shooting occurred on the sidewalk and street outside Hush, a lounge in the entertainment district. Blood stains were visible on the sidewalk outside the venue on Sunday morning.

Coming this fall, residents in Stockholm won’t have to endure the hour-long commute by car or train between Ekerö, a popular suburb, and central Stockholm, home to the historic City Hall.

Instead, they can jump on a 30-passenger ferry and make the journey in half the time, all while helping to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill diesel ferry. It’s the P-12, an electric ferry that hovers just above the surface of the water, like a landspeeder straight out of “Star Wars.”

Created by Candela, a Swedish company that’s been finetuning the technology since 2016, the P-12 uses a hydrofoil to lift the boat above the water’s surface, reducing drag and the amount of energy needed to operate it. “The hydrofoil system cuts energy consumption by 80% compared to fossil fuel-powered vessels,” says Gustav Hemming, vice president of the Regional Executive Board in Stockholm who is responsible for sea-bound public transport. “That number is obviously huge, and a game-changer for waterborne transport.”

Scientists in South Africa say they have identified an outbreak of rabies in seals that is believed to be the first time the virus has spread in sea mammals.

At least 24 Cape fur seals that were found dead or euthanized in various locations on South Africa’s west and south coast had rabies, state veterinarian Dr. Lesley van Helden said.

Rabies, which affects mammals and can be passed to people, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies spreads via saliva, usually through bites but also sometimes when animals lick and groom each other.

The virus has long been seen in wild animals such as raccoons, coyotes, foxes, jackals and in domestic dogs. But it had never been recorded spreading among marine mammals, van Helden and other experts said this week.

The only other known case of rabies in a sea mammal was in a ringed seal in Norway’s Svalbard islands in the early 1980s. That seal had likely been infected by a rabid arctic fox, researchers said, and there was no evidence of rabies spreading among seals there.

CHANGES dateline, ADDS Zelensky visit to munitions plant, date for meeting with Biden, detail

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday arrived in the United States for a crucial visit to present Kyiv’s plan to end two and a half years of war with Russia.

Zelensky will present his proposals — which he calls a “victory plan” — to President Joe Biden, as well as presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The visit comes after a summer of intense fighting: with Moscow advancing fast in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv holding on to swathes of Russia’s Kursk region.

It also comes as Kyiv has for weeks pressed the West to allow it to use long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia — so far to no avail.

When they meet at the White House on Thursday, Zelensky is expected to try to convince Biden to change his mind.

On the first leg of his US visit, Ukraine’s president visited a factory in Pennsylvania on Sunday that produces badly needed 155mm artillery shells.

“I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant,” Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The post included photos of him shaking hands with workers at the plant, where he said production had been ramped up.

“It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail,” he wrote.

He will next travel to New York and Washington.

Zelensky said the coming weeks would decide how more than 30 months of fighting that has killed thousands would end.

“It is now being determined what the legacy of the current generation of states leaders will be. Those in the highest offices,” he said.

In comments before his trip, Zelensky said the United States and UK have not given Ukraine permission to use the long-range weapons as they fear escalation, but hinted he had not given up hope.

“We have had some decisions in the history of our relationship with Biden — very interesting and difficult dialogues,” Zelensky said earlier this week, adding: “He later changed his point of view.”

Moscow has said it considers such a go-ahead as NATO countries being “at war” with Russia.

A close adviser to Biden said this month that the US leader would use his remaining time in office to “put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail.”

No details on Ukraine’s plan have been made public.

Zelensky said Biden would be the first foreign leader to see the plan “in full” — saying it will then also be presented to “all leaders of our partner countries.”

Zelensky plans to present the proposals to the US Congress, Harris and Trump. The White House has said he will meet with Democratic Vice President Harris separately from Biden, and Zelensky has said he expects to meet with Republican Trump on Thursday or Friday.

Source: https://www.barrons.com/news/zelensky-arrives-in-us-to-explain-war-plan-to-biden-b259b6e5

The long-disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which lies on the edge of Europe, has a history of violence and displacement. The latest attack on the region, one year ago, forced 100,000 Armenians to leave their home – possibly for good.

As bombs fell near the city she called home on the edge of Europe, Hasmik Arzanyan ran back to her fourth-floor home one last time.

She was used to conflict in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, with her father serving in the first war 30 years ago and her husband fighting in the second during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Azerbaijan’s latest attack on the enclave – which had been ethnically Armenian but is recognised internationally as Azeri land – felt different to Hasmik.

The mother of two had sensed these were her final days in the region’s de facto capital of Stepanakert, and she would soon join 100,000 other Armenians on an arduous escape.

Before that mass exodus, which would signal the end of Nagorno-Karabakh’s 1,700-year Armenian presence, Hasmik left the shelter and braved nearby bombing for a final homemade coffee.

“I just couldn’t stay in the shelter, looking at the despair in people’s faces was enough to drive you crazy,” she said.

“I got home, and I just felt this was it, this was the end. I couldn’t explain why, but I felt it, these were our last days in Stepanakert.

“So when I got back home, I turned the stove on and made myself one last coffee. I just wanted to feel some peace in my home for those two minutes.”

The attack by the much larger Azerbaijani army began on 19 September and lasted 24 hours, forcing the region’s leadership to surrender and agree to dissolve its self-styled republic by January 2024.

It came after a 44-day war launched by Azerbaijan in 2020, which saw Baku regain seven surrounding territories occupied by Armenians since the first war in 1994 as well as a third of the region itself.

Azerbaijan’s September offensive went ahead despite international calls to guarantee the safety of the local population in Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenians call Artsakh.

And with no real sign of Russian peacekeepers – stationed in the region as part of the second war’s ceasefire agreement – intervening, panic began to spread among the Armenians.

“It’s impossible to explain with words what it was like. The look on people’s faces, the crying, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it,” Hasmik said.

“Everyone was in chaos, children were still in school, parents had lost their minds and didn’t know what to do. Some were crying, some were screaming, one had turned pale and wouldn’t move. There was absolute chaos all around.”

Husband’s final farewell

The Armenians had already endured acute shortages of food, fuel and medicine in a nine-month Azerbaijani blockade cutting off the region’s road connection with Armenia, the Lachin corridor.

That road had been reopened by Azerbaijan shortly before the bombs started falling, and would within days allow Armenians to leave the territory.

Janet Jackson is being called “irrelevant” and a “leech” after she questioned Kamala Harris’ race in an interview with the Guardian published on Saturday.

“She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian,” the “That’s The Way Love Goes” hitmaker, 58, said during a chat about “the State of the Union.”

“Her father’s white. That’s what I was told,” she went on.

“I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.”

Vice President Harris, 59, is the daughter of two immigrants. Her father is Jamaican while her mother is Indian.

Fans were appalled by Jackson’s false statements and slammed her on X, with one writing, “This is why she’s irrelevant and leeching off of her brothers’ success.”

Of course, the singer’s older brother is the late Michael Jackson, who was frequently questioned after his skin turned black to white in the 1990s. It was known at the time that he had vitiligo, a disorder that causes patches of skin to lose color, per Mayo Clinic.

Bringing up the debate that the “Beat It” singer’s changing skin tone caused, another X user penned, “Janet, you know better than to believe that nonsense… especially after all the race controversies Michael went through…”

“‘That’s what I heard’ is the new way of saying ‘i believe the stupid, unsubstantiated s–t people tell me,’” a third dismayed person tweeted.

Source: https://pagesix.com/2024/09/21/celebrity-news/janet-jackson-called-irrelevantfor-questioning-kamala-harris-race/

“Transformers One” doesn’t seem primed for a breakout start after earning $9.56 million from 3,978 locations across Friday and preview screenings. That puts the animated prequel, co-produced by Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment, on track for a $26.3 million opening weekend in North America, pacing behind industry projections for a $30 million-plus debut.

Those domestic numbers don’t qualify as a definitive nonstarter for the Paramount release, which was produced at a $75 million budget — a smaller price tag than is typical for a studio animated feature, or a live-action “Transformers” entry for that matter. Moreover, this franchise has proven to be more appealing to international audiences, especially in recent years. But it’s difficult to imagine that there weren’t hopes for a bigger opening to put some more space between “Transformers One” and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which, in its third weekend, is still a contender to lead the charts.

Whether “Transformers One” can keep a strong engine running in the weeks ahead will be the ultimate measurement of its success. Paramount was able to leg out a salvageable performance for another family-oriented feature this summer, with the original special-effects caper “IF” finishing with $111 million domestic after a muted $33 million opening. The studio will look for staying power here too.

Reviews have been strong for the Josh Cooley-directed prequel, which features a voice cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson and Keegan-Michael Key. And audiences are quite enthusiastic about this entry, which marks the first theatrically released animated installment in the franchise since the 1986 release of “The Transformers: The Movie.” Survey firm Cinema Score turned in a glowing A grade after polling moviegoers. Bumblebee and the Autobots need that buzz, as “Transformers One” will vie for family audiences against the opening of Universal’s critically acclaimed animated feature “The Wild Robot” next week.

Also opening this weekend, Lionsgate is suffering yet another single-digit start for a wide release with the Halle Berry thriller “Never Let Go.” The supernatural film, di

Warner Bros.’ “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is still tallying up the sales. The supernatural comedy sequel added $6.7 million on Friday, a 54% fall from its $14.5 million daily total a week ago. “Transformers One” is pacing ahead for now, but there’s a possibility the ghost ends up with the most money among all releases — even in its third weekend. On Friday, it surpassed “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” ($206 million) to become the third-highest-grossing domestic release of director Tim Burton’s career, unadjusted for inflation. “Beetlejuice 2” is also now the sixth-highest-grossing film of the year in North America, having just passed by “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ($196 million) earlier this week.

Sliding to third place is Universal’s “Speak No Evil,” projecting a solid enough 49% drop for a $5.8 million sophomore outing. The Blumhouse-produced horror remake will get past $21 million through its first 10 days of release.

And still holding down a spot in the top five is Disney’s “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which added $991,000 on Friday. Now in its ninth weekend of release, the R-rated superhero comedy surpassed “The Avengers” ($623 million) a few days ago to become the 13th-highest-grossing domestic release of all time. The title of 12th is up for the taking if it can muster enough staying power to catch up to “Barbie” ($636 million).

Source: https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/transformers-one-opening-day-1236152165/

Half a billion fans, a multi-million dollar personal fortune and a global business empire.

It would take a lot to dethrone YouTube’s biggest influencer Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast.

But a 54-page court document could be his toughest test yet.

Five female contestants on upcoming Prime Video show Beast Games are launching legal action against his production company MrB2024 and Amazon in Los Angeles.

Billed as the largest ever reality competition series, 1,000 contestants are set to compete for a $5m (£3.7m) prize when the show airs – or if it airs. The lawsuit has plunged the show into crisis.

Among many redacted pages, the legal document includes allegations that they “particularly and collectively suffered” in an environment that “systematically fostered a culture of misogyny and sexism”.

It cuts to the core of MrBeast’s image as one of the nicest guys on the internet.

I flicked through the document, which includes suggestions that participants were “underfed and overtired”. Meals were provided “sporadically and sparsely” which “endangered the health and welfare” of the contestants, it is claimed.

In one section where almost all of the claims are redacted from public view, it says the defendants “created, permitted to exist, and fostered a culture and pattern and practice of sexual harassment including in the form of a hostile work environment”.

Back in August, the New York Times spoke to more than a dozen of the (yet unreleased) show’s participants, and reported there were “several hospitalisations” on the set, with one person telling the paper they had gone over 20 hours without being fed.

Contestants also alleged they had not received their medication on time.

The BBC has approached MrBeast and Amazon – he has not yet publicly commented.

So will these latest allegations hurt the king of YouTube’s popularity?

Rising fame and philanthropy

MrBeast is no stranger to controversy this year – and has managed to come out unscathed each time.

In July, the 26-year-old American said he had hired investigators after his former co-host Ava Kris Tyson was accused of grooming a teenager.

Ava denied the allegations, but has apologised for “past behaviour” which was “not acceptable”.

MrBeast said he was “disgusted” by the “serious allegations”.

Later, further allegations about business practices surfaced on an anonymous YouTube channel, claiming to be a former employee. The BBC has not been able to independently verify the claims or this person’s identity.

Some of his philanthropic efforts – such as building wells in Africa, and paying for surgery for people with reduced sight and hearing – have drawn criticisms around exploitation.

“Deaf people like me deserve better than MrBeast’s latest piece of inspiration porn,” one person told the Independent last year.

But his empire continues to grow. The day before the lawsuit emerged on Wednesday, he revealed a team-up with fellow famous faces KSI and Logan Paul – a new food line designed to challenge Lunchables.

And as I wrote in an article about his meteoric rise last year, he has made his millions through hard work.

His videos are big budget experiences, with his most popular – viewed 652 million times – recreating the Netflix hit Squid Game in real life with a $456,000 (£342,000) prize.

Most of his philanthropy is less controversial – including giving away houses, cash and cars – which has worked to create an image of him being one of the internet’s good guys.

According to his website, he has delivered more than 25 million meals to the needy around the world.

People continue to flock to his social channels. In June, he gained enough subscribers to make his YouTube channel the largest in the world.

According to stats-checker Socialblade, MrBeast picked up an extra five million subscribers in the last 30 days alone.

That’s just one metric – we can’t tell how many people unsubscribed from his channel, for example.

What is certain is that the number of people who’ve actively decided to stop watching his videos has been eclipsed by those who’ve decided to subscribe.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgn8d04kdko

Some 31 people, including three children, were killed in a strike on a densely populated neighbourhood in southern Beirut, with Israel saying it has launched “extensive” strikes on Saturday evening.

At least 50 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Gaza in the last 24 hours.

A strike on Friday on the Lebanese capital Beirut killed at least 37 people including three children and seven women, the country’s health minister Firas Abiad said.

Fifteen of the 68 wounded in the attack remain in hospital.

Ali Harake, the head of the rescue team searching through the rubble, told Sky News his team is still looking for between 17 and 18 missing people – though he fears none have survived.

On Saturday evening, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel had launched more “extensive” strikes in southern Lebanon, with “dozens” of aircraft and rocket launchers striking “terrorist targets”.

He said this followed “detection of Hezbollah preparing to fire toward Israeli territory”.

Two top Hezbollah commanders killed

It is understood two apartment blocks in a densely populated southern neighbourhood collapsed in the strike on Friday – the deadliest attack on Beirut in decades.

Top Hezbollah commanders are believed to have been meeting in the basement of one of the buildings.

Hezbollah has confirmed two of its senior commanders, Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi, died in the strike while an Israeli military spokesperson said that at least 16 Hezbollah militants were killed.

Wahbi oversaw the military operations of the Radwan special forces – a commando unit that seeks to infiltrate and carry out attacks in Israel – until early 2024. Aqil was also a top commander for the Iran-backed group.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has described the killing of Aqil as a “crime” and a “folly”, adding Israel will “pay the price”.

The IDF has restricted gatherings in Lower Galilee, Upper Galilee, Haifa Bay, Central Galilee and some parts of the Golan Heights, with outdoor gatherings limited to 30 people and limits placed on work and school attendance.

These are in addition to the restrictions already placed on communities living on the existing frontline.

Meanwhile, at least 13 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City, according to a local report.

The strikes are believed to have hit several schools sheltering displaced people in the southern part of the city.

Phillip Mehrtens was captured by separatist rebels after they stormed his plane on 7 February last year. The group had taken him hostage in hopes of forcing talks about independence from Indonesia.

A New Zealand pilot has arrived in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta after a year and a half of being held hostage in Indonesia’s Papua region.

Phillip Mehrtens was captured by separatist rebels the West Papua Liberation Army after he landed a commercial plane on 7 February last year.

He was due to pick up 15 construction workers who had been threatened with death while building a health centre in the remote Nduga district.

Pictures show Mr Mehrtens being greeted by New Zealand ambassador to Indonesia Kevin Burnett and Indonesian officials upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta.

He is meant to be reunited with his family in Indonesia’s capital.

Indonesian police had earlier said the pilot was freed today, 19 months after he was first captured, and he would undergo medical examination.

‘I am so happy’

“Today I finally got out. I am so happy to be back home with my family soon,” Mr Mehrtens said during a news conference in the mining town of Timika. “Thank you to everyone who helped me get out safely and healthy.”

New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said: “We are pleased and relieved to confirm that Phillip Mehrtens is safe and well and has been able to talk with his family.

“This news must be an enormous relief for his friends and loved ones.”

The West Papua Liberation Army held Mr Mehrtens in a bid to open independence talks with the Indonesian government.

His passengers were released because they were Papuans, rebel spokesman Sebby Sambom said at the time.

In May last year, a video showed the pilot looking emaciated and holding the banned Morning Star flag – a symbol of Papuan independence – while surrounded by armed rebels.

He said at the time the rebels wanted other countries to be involved in independence talks, and added that if “it does not happen within two months, then they say they will shoot me”.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/new-zealand-pilot-phillip-mehrtens-held-hostage-by-papuan-fighters-freed-after-19-months-13218819

Dai Davies says people were aware of the former Harrods owner’s reputation as far back as the 1990s, and that he raised concerns about him to the Royal Family.

The former head of royal protection says he warned the Royal Family about Mohamed al Fayed’s reputation before Princess Diana took her sons on holiday with him.

The former Harrods owner, who died last year at the age of 94, was described as a “monster” earlier this week by lawyers representing 37 alleged sexual abuse victims.

The women say he raped and sexually assaulted them while they worked at the luxury department store, prowling the shop floor and “cherry-picking” women to be brought to his executive suite.

Now, Dai Davies says people were aware of the Egyptian businessman’s reputation as far back as the 1990s, and that he raised concerns about him to the Royal Family.

“This was a man who I would be concerned [about] if a relative of mine was going on holiday with him, let alone the future king and his brother and their mother, Princess Diana,” Dai Davies told Sky News.

In July 1997, a month before she died, Princess Diana went on holiday with Fayed and his wife to their residence in St Tropez.
She took the two young princes with her – a holiday Prince Harry described as “heaven” in his 2023 memoir Spare.
“I was horrified because I was aware of some of the allegations even then that were going around,” said Mr Davies.
“I was aware that he had tried very hard to ingratiate himself with the Royal Family and obviously knowing, as I did, the reputation he was alleged [to have] then, I was concerned, and I took the opportunity to inform the Royal Family.”

Mr Davies says he was told: “Her Majesty is aware.”

“The rest is history,” he said.

Buckingham Palace told Sky News it had no comment on the allegations.

Fulham ‘deeply disturbed’ by allegations

Fulham FC, a football club that was owned by Fayed between 1997 and 2013, has said it is “deeply troubled” by the dozens of “disturbing” sexual abuse allegations against the businessman.

The Premier League club also said it is “in the process of establishing whether anyone at the club is or has been affected” by this alleged behaviour.

However, Gaute Haugenes, who managed the club’s women’s team between 2001 and 2003, told the BBC extra precautions were taken to protect female players from Fayed.

“We were aware he liked young, blonde girls. So we just made sure that situations couldn’t occur. We protected the players.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/mohamed-al-fayed-former-royal-security-head-says-he-warned-royal-family-before-diana-went-on-holiday-with-businessman-13219217

Remember HQ2? Amazon.com’s (AMZN.O), opens new tab 2017 quest to expand, opens new tab its North American base beyond Seattle sparked a circus-like courtship to host as many as 50,000 high-paying jobs. The new location in northern Virginia hasn’t lived up to the hype, but there may be hope for it yet after Chief Executive Andy Jassy ordered everyone back to the office five days a week. The woeful lack of imagination, though, is indicative of bigger problems.

Jassy told staff, opens new tab this week that working from home will end next year, with few exceptions. The $2 trillion company also is dispensing with shared desks in favor of assigned seats at locations where it was previously the norm. The boss makes no apologies about turning back the clock: “Before the pandemic, it was not a given that folks could work remotely two days a week, and that will also be true moving forward.”

Rescue workers in Beirut searched on Saturday for people still missing in rubble a day after an Israeli airstrike, targeting Hezbollah commanders, killed at least 37 people in a suburb of the Lebanese capital, according to authorities.
Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed group, said 16 members including senior leader Ibrahim Aqil and another commander, Ahmed Wahbi, were among those killed in the deadliest strike in nearly a year of conflict with Israel.

Some 53 people have been killed and 51 others are missing in Mexico’s western Sinaloa state since rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel began clashing on Sept 9, local authorities said on Friday, with gruesome violence showing no signs of abating.
The trigger for the conflict between the two most powerful factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, a drug gang, dates back to July, when legendary trafficker and leader of one of those groupings, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, was arrested in the United States.

Zambada, 74, alleges that a senior member of the Los Chapitos, another faction of the cartel, kidnapped him and then flew him to the United States against his will.
Since fighting broke out on Sept 9, shootouts have disrupted daily life in the capital, Culiacan, where schools have had to close on some days while restaurants and shops shuttered early.
Sinaloa governor Rubén Rocha Moya on Friday said more than 40 people have been arrested in recent days, while more than 5,000 food packages have been handed out across Sinaloa.

Fernando Perez Medina, known as “El Piyi”, was captured in Culiacan, according to a federal security source.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) said it was providing resources to local authorities to feed a tigress tied to a tree. Senior Sinaloan narcos often keep tigers as pet animals.

Profepa said in a statement that vets in Sinaloa had declined to assist due to security fears, and it had provided military officials with a “cage, a dart rifle and darts”. But the violence had prevented the military from rescuing it.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/more-than-100-killed-or-missing-sinaloa-cartel-war-rages-mexico-2024-09-21/

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned on Friday that Moscow’s nuclear weapons are in “full combat readiness.”

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and the Kremlin have continued as NATO leaders have increasingly warned that direct conflict with Moscow is a realistic danger as it has more nuclear warheads than any other country, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICANW). This comes after Putin and senior Russian officials have repeatedly threatened nuclear escalation against Kyiv and its Western partners since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

According to Tass, a Russian state news agency, Lavrov said in an interview with Sky News Arabia that while “nobody wants a nuclear war,” he warned the country’s nuclear weapons are in “full combat readiness.”

“We talk about red lines, expecting that our assessments, statements will be heard by intelligent, decision-making people. It is not serious to say that if tomorrow you do not do what I demand of you, we will press the ‘red button,'” the Russian foreign minister said. “I am convinced that in such situations, decision makers have an idea of what we are talking about. Nobody wants a nuclear war.”

He added that Russia possesses weapons “that will have serious implications for the handlers of the Ukrainian regime.”

Newsweek has reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian defense Ministries via email for comment.

Lavrov’s remarks come after another Putin ally, former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, issued a new nuclear response warning last week.

In a Telegram post last week, Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council and former Russian president, spoke about a nuclear response and that it is a “hugely complex decision with irreversible consequences,” but warned that “you can only test someone’s patience for so long.”

“Yet, Russia has been patient. It is obvious that a nuclear response is a hugely complex decision with irreversible consequences. What arrogant Anglo-Saxon dimwits fail to admit, though, is that you can only test someone’s patience for so long,” Medvedev said.

He added: “It will turn out in the end that certain moderate Western analysts were right when they warned: ‘True, the Russians are not likely to use this response, although…it’s still a possibility. Besides, they may use new delivery vehicles with conventional payloads.’ And then—it’s over. A giant blot of molten-grey mass in the place where ‘the mother of Russian cities’ [historical name of Kiev] once stood. Holy s***, it’s impossible, but it happened…”

Responding to a previous inquiry from Newsweek, the U.S. Department of State dismissed the seriousness of Medvedev’s various statements.

“We know by now not to take Medvedev seriously,” a department spokesperson wrote. “This is standard Kremlin nonsense.”

Source: https://www.newsweek.com/sergey-lavrov-warns-russias-nuclear-weapons-full-combat-readiness-1957306

Under a pioneering law set to be implemented next year, large social media platforms will be obligated to remove deceptive content.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his ongoing feud with Elon Musk, threatening to take legal action against the Tesla CEO over his use of memes and deepfakes, which he claims are damaging to democracy.

Musk fired back at Newsom, accusing him of “making parody illegal” after the governor signed three bills aimed at curbing the use of AI in creating fake images for videos and political ads.

Newsom denied that he was trying to suppress parodies but made it clear that he was laying down the law with the CEO of X, whom he referred to as a “conservative blogger.”

He said: “I think Mr. Musk has missed the punchline. Parody is still alive and well in California but deepfakes and manipulation of elections?

Combs’ public image projected wealth and achievement, but the indictment that led to his arrest paints a more sinister picture of his private life.

For decades, Sean “Diddy” Combs presented the image of a wealthy, Black music mogul, one who broke business barriers, threw lavish parties and even created iconic TV moments. But behind the scenes, prosecutors say, was a more sinister picture, with allegations of violence, sex trafficking and severe abuses of power.

Throughout his career, Combs’ dominated music, television and fashion, amassing a fortune worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In public, he was a shrewd music producer, generating hip-hop hits under his Bad Boy Records label, which he founded in 1993 and helped establish him as a cultural magnate. Combs was at the center of one of rap’s most notorious — and deadly — beefs between the east and west coasts culminating in the deaths of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. He capitalized on hip-hop’s shift into mainstream culture at the dawn of a new millennium. His “All About the Benjamins” was parodied by “Weird” Al Yankovich. He famously dated Jennifer Lopez when she made a splash on the red carpet at the 2000 Grammy awards in an iconic Versace gown. On the surface, Combs presented himself as the fun-loving producer who danced in music videos and the tough business mogul developing fresh talent.

But in private, prosecutors allege in an indictment unsealed Tuesday, Combs, now 54, and his associates “wielded” his “power and prestige” to orchestrate sexual, emotional and physical abuse against the people around him. While Combs’ explosive temper was an open secret and rumors long swirled about his sex life, his power and influence, experts say, has shielded him from accountability for years of alleged illegal activity.

Combs was arrested Monday and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. It came after months of lawsuits and several allegations of sexual assault, gender violence, misconduct and other “serious illegal activity” that took place over several years. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, and a judge denied him bail after U.S. Attorney Damian Williams argued Combs is a flight risk and a danger to the community. Combs is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, and is on “procedural” suicide watch, as is typical with with high profile clients.

“We’ve seen this pattern before — someone in a position of power and influence chooses to exploit others for their own gain, using fear, manipulation and violence to maintain control over his victims,” Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, said in a statement.

The charges stem from Combs’ hours- and dayslong sexual performances called “freak offs,” which allegedly included coerced sex acts that Combs is accused of orchestrating and recording. The indictment said Combs sought “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”

“Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,” it reads.

“These allegations reveal not only a gross abuse of personal power but underscore a systemic use of networks and his employees to perpetuate sexual violence,” said Goss Graves, who is also the co-founder of the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, which provides legal aid to people who have experienced workplace sexual harassment.

The indictment listed Combs’ security staff, household staff, personal assistants, “high-ranking supervisors” and others among the “associates” who made up a criminal organization, which the indictment calls the “Combs Enterprise.” Combs and these associates allegedly engaged in forced labor, sexual coercion and trafficking, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and other crimes under Combs’ leadership.

Since late 2023 and as recently as last week, several women and some men have filed lawsuits against Combs alleging everything from abuse to sex trafficking. A flood of lawsuits came after Combs’ former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura sued him in federal court in November, accusing him of years of physical abuse throughout their 11-year relationship, during which, she said, he exerted complete control over her. Combs and Ventura were first romantically linked in 2007 and split in 2018.

She and Combs settled the suit a day later but did not disclose the terms of the settlement. At the time, Combs denied the allegations. Singer Dawn Richard, Combs’ producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, several unnamed women and a Michigan man have filed lawsuits against Combs accusing him of various forms of abuse and misconduct. Combs has denied the allegations, and a judge halted a $100 judgment in favor of the Michigan man, Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, in order to hold more hearings.

Before Ventura’s allegations last year, Combs’ reputation had remained intact despite all of the accusations, legal troubles and rumors that trailed him over the last three decades. Combs’ behavior had long fueled social media chatter among fans and artists, including rivals and those who had worked with him. But the accumulation of assault charges, filmed outbursts and erratic behavior, capped by Vetura’s allegations in November, finally tipped the scales. That it took so long for Combs to face legal repercussions and public rebuke speaks to the power of his celebrity and the image he had maintained since his ascent, said Oronike Odeleye, activist and co-founder of the #MuteRKelly social media campaign.

“The music industry is built on exploitation,” she said. “Behind all of the sensationalism, the drama and the rumors are actual survivors, people who lived through these experiences. We should keep them in the forefront of our minds.”

The indictment alleges that Combs threatened people with firearms, offered bribes and leveraged his money and influence to both control victims and ensure their silence.

The culture of silence fostered by Combs’ power and celebrity is similar to the protective network that kept singer R. Kelly from being held accountable for his abuse of girls and young women, Odeleye said. Kelly was convicted of sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor in 2022.

“Some of the silence is, ‘I need to be in proximity to this person because they’re powerful and they can make or break my career,’” Odeleye said, adding that she believes unhealthy ideas of masculinity have played a role in Combs’ alleged behavior. For some men, she said, “violence against women, unfortunately, props up your masculinity.”

How Combs’ bad behavior was excused for so long
Combs experienced a rapid rise from unpaid Uptown Records intern to music mogul in just a few years. In the early ’90s, Combs tapped now-legendary artists Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, Faith Evans, 112 and Mase to fill the roster of his then-fledgling Bad Boy Entertainment label. He released his own successful albums initially as Puff Daddy, a nickname he said stemmed from his own volatile temper. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, his artists topped the charts.

Combs’ lineup of rappers and singers presented a different sound from the gangsta rap, pop and grunge rock that were popular at the time. The music represented a brand of hip-hop that mixed different sounds that appealed to different demographics but never felt inauthentic.

“They were trendsetters,” Richard, one of the singers who later sued Combs, said of his signature artists back in 2015. “It was due to Puff’s ear and his ability to pick voices that were like no other.”

As the years went on, Combs expanded his empire to include clothing, fragrances, hit MTV shows, alcohol brands and more. As of June, Combs’ estimated net worth was $400 million, according to Forbes, even after losing hundreds of millions as allegations against him have piled on.

He became associated with wealth and power along with music and culture. His ever-growing empire earned him a reputation as a wealthy, business-minded man and the picture of “Black excellence,” with a bootstrapping, rags-to-riches story that served as inspiration especially for young, Black men.

Over the years, the public has gotten glimpses into Combs’ behind-closed-doors demeanor, most notably in interviews, short clips and when he led the MTV reality series “Making the Band.” From 2002 to 2009, Combs developed musical acts on the show with a tough, no-nonsense attitude. From making contestants walk several miles to get him a slice of cheesecake to his verbal altercation with choreographer Laurieann Gibson, Combs bolstered his reputation as a prolific but intimidating figure in the industry.

Combs spoke about his go-getter attitude in a clip he shared to promote the 2017 documentary about his life, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story.” In the clip, Combs finishes setting up a business deal on the phone before excitedly throwing equipment in his office and yelling, “I’m a savage! Whatever I want I have to get!”

“We see this and we’re like, ‘Diddy has to be demanding.’ You see him being abusive and terrible. There are so many instances of Diddy telling us some version of this dark s— publicly and everybody just ignored it because rappers are expected to use hyperbole to a certain degree,” said A.D. Carson, a professor of hip-hop and the Global South at the University of Virginia.

“So, when rappers are talking about their propensity for violence, or their propensity for assault … in the name of moguldom, we’re like, ‘Oh, that’s just what it takes. He probably doesn’t do that for real.’”

Decades of fame — and suspicion
Combs has leaned into this idea of aspirational wealth, most notably with his lavish Labor Day White Parties.

From 1998 to 2009, Combs’ annual party was one of the hottest tickets, with guests like Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z and Beyoncé attending. Combs said he launched the White Party to associate hip-hop with wealth and the upper echelon. “I wanted to strip away everyone’s image and put us all in the same color, and on the same level,” he said in a 2006 interview with Oprah.

“Rappers kind of operate with this symbolic value to people. That’s the Diddy phenomenon,” Carson said.

Carson added that Combs’ wealth and influence in Black culture had made him someone whom Black celebrities wanted to associate with, sometimes at the cost of ignoring his alleged misconduct and abuse.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/sean-diddy-combs-power-prestige-alleged-abuse-how-rcna171496

In a closely watched New York Democratic primary in June, centrist George Latimer ousted incumbent Jamaal Bowman by a wide margin of 58.7% to 41.3%.

Ahead of the vote, two 19-year-old college dropouts in Manhattan conducted a poll that accurately predicted the results within 371 votes. Their secret? They didn’t survey a single person. Instead, they asked thousands of AI chatbots which candidate they preferred.

Welcome to the future of polling, according to Cam Fink and Ned Koh, co-founders of a seven-person company called Aaru. They say they’ve cracked the code for predicting accurate election results, which have come under increasing fire since most public polls failed to predict Donald Trump’s victory in 2016. The answer is ignoring the humans whose behavior they are trying to capture.

For election results, Aaru uses census data to replicate voter districts, creating AI agents essentially programmed to think like the voters they are copying. Each agent is given hundreds of personality traits, from their aspirations to their family relationships. The agents are constantly surfing the internet and gathering information meant to mimic the media diets of the humans they’re replicating, which sometimes causes them to change their voting preferences.

For instance, when Donald Trump was shot during an attempted assassination, a large chunk of Aaru’s agents immediately switched voting preferences to support the former president. But as more information came out about the shooter in the hours after the attack, many of them switched back.

The polls usually draw on responses from around 5,000 AI respondents, and it takes anywhere from 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes to conduct. Aaru charges less than 1/10th the cost of a survey of humans.

“No traditional poll will exist by the time the next general election occurs,” Fink said in an interview with Semafor. “There are massive issues when you’re using real people. You never know if someone is telling the truth.”

He said the company has been hired to conduct polls for Fortune 500 companies, political campaigns, think tanks and super political action committees. One campaign in California is relying mainly on Aaru for its polling, he said.

In one survey, the company noticed that one of the AI agents said it was going to vote for Mickey Mouse in the upcoming presidential election. Fearing one of their bots had gone off the rails, the Aaru team investigated. It turned out the bot had an explanation. “The agent’s response was ‘I hate Kamala and I hate Trump. I’m writing in and voting for Mickey Mouse,’” Fink said.

Source: https://www.semafor.com/article/09/20/2024/ai-startup-aaru-uses-chatbots-instead-of-humans-for-political-polls

This is real. Is it true?

JD Vance told Tucker Carlson in an interview two days ago that the Trump campaign gave him a Rent-a-Dog.

Carlson said, “That’s weird. You’re weird.”

Carlson — who’s already weird — couldn’t believe it.

Maybe Vance is kidding. But it seems true, strangely. The dog doesn’t seem to know Vance at all.

Vance is barking up the wrong tree. Or telling a shaggy dog story.

Source: https://www.showbiz411.com/2024/09/21/jd-vance-tells-tucker-carlson-trump-gave-him-rent-a-dog-to-appeal-to-pet-owners-really

The company bought the land in 2017 to ‘make it as time-consuming and expensive as possible’ for Trump to build a US-Mexico border wall.

Cards Against Humanity sued SpaceX for allegedly trespassing on and damaging its property in Texas. The company behind the card game is asking for $15 million in damages, according to its complaint against SpaceX, filed in Texas state court on Thursday, but has also said it will “accept Twitter.com in compensation.”

SpaceX has been using the “pristine vacant property” in Cameron County, Texas, without permission for around six months, the suit claims. Cards Against Humanity bought the plot in 2017 as part of a stunt to “make it as time-consuming and expensive as possible for [former President Donald] Trump to build his wall.” SpaceX has since acquired “many of the vacant lots” on the road surrounding Cards Against Humanity’s property, the complaint claims, and started building “large modern-looking buildings, changing the entire dynamic of the area” — and damaging Cards Against Humanity’s land in the process.

Cards Against Humanity’s 2017 purchase of the land was a crowdfunded effort, with 150,000 supporters chipping in $15 each, the suit says, and is indicative of the company’s broader relationship with its customers and supporters. “Part of CAH’s method to maintain this supporter relationship — and ongoing trust that they will continue to stand up against injustice — is the use of humorous ‘pranks’ or ‘stunts’ that draw attention to particular issues or people who ignore the rights and problems of regular people for their own personal enrichment or aggrandizement,” the complaint says. But SpaceX’s alleged trespassing on Cards Against Humanity’s property has damaged the company’s “most precious asset in the form of its current relationship and the prospective relationship in the future” with its customers by “creating the impression that there is some association between CAH and SpaceX.”

Other reports suggest that Cards Against Humanity isn’t the only neighbor with whom SpaceX has a troubled relationship. Reuters, which first reported the lawsuit, spoke with residents of Boca Chica — a small, remote village SpaceX has attempted to rechristen Starbase — who said SpaceX workers tore down a sign and removed a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the town. One Boca Chica resident told Reuters that SpaceX offered to buy her two homes for $340,000.

Source : https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/20/24250269/cards-against-humanity-space-x-lawsuit-cameron-county-texas

The killing of a Japanese schoolboy in the Chinese city of Shenzhen has sparked worry among Japanese expats living in China, with top firms warning their workers to be vigilant.

Toshiba and Toyota have told their staff to take precautions against any possible violence, while Panasonic is offering its employees free flights home.

Japanese authorities have repeated their condemnation of the killing while urging the Chinese government to ensure the safety of their citizens.

The stabbing of the 10-year-old boy on Wednesday was the third high-profile attack on foreigners in China in recent months.

In a statement issued to the BBC, electronics giant Panasonic said it would “prioritise the safety and health of employees” in mainland China in the wake of the latest attack.

Panasonic is allowing employees and their families to temporarily return to Japan at company expense, and is offering a counselling service as well.

Toshiba, which has around 100 employees in China, has urged its workers “to be cautious of their safety”.

The world’s biggest car manufacturer Toyota, meanwhile, told the BBC it was “supporting Japanese expatriates” by providing them with any information they might need on the situation.

Japan’s ambassador to Beijing has also urged the Chinese government to “do its utmost” to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the attack “extremely despicable” and said Tokyo had “strongly urged” Beijing for an explanation “as soon as possible”.

Some Japanese schools in China have contacted parents, putting them on high alert in the wake of the stabbing.

The Guangzhou Japanese School cancelled some activities and warned against speaking Japanese loudly in public.

Some members of the Japanese expatriate community in China have told the BBC they are worried about their children’s safety.

One man, a 53-year-old businessman who has lived in Shenzhen for nearly a decade, said he would be sending his daughter back overseas to university earlier than usual.

“We always considered Shenzhen a safe place to live as it’s relatively open to foreigners, but now we are all more cautious about our safety,” he said.

“Many Japanese people are deeply concerned, and numerous relatives and friends have reached out to check on my safety.”

Chinese officials in Shenzhen said they were “deeply saddened” by the incident and had started installing security cameras near the school by Thursday morning.

“We will continue to take effective measures to protect the life, property, safety and legal rights of everyone in Shenzhen, including foreigners,” they were quoted as saying in the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on Friday.

An editorial in the state-affiliated newspaper lambasted the suspected killer, saying “this violent behaviour does not represent the quality of ordinary Chinese people”.

On Friday, locals began laying flowers at the gate of the Japanese school in Shenzhen.

“It is really sad. It shouldn’t be like that,” a Shenzhen local told Singaporean news outlet The Straits Times.

Another, a retired teacher, said: “This child, no matter which country he is from, is the hope of a family, and of a nation.”

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg9nwxy388o

Sri Lanka election 2024: This is Sri Lanka’s first election after its economy collapsed in 2022 and holds importance for India amid growing influence of China.

The island nation of Sri Lanka will vote for a new President on Saturday, September 21, in it’s first election after the economic collapse in 2022, with 38 candidates vying for the presidential seat.

Sri Lanka will start voting at 7am (local time) and end at 4pm, after which counting will begin. Results are expected on Sunday, reported news agency the Associate Press.

Around 17 out of 22 million people are eligible to vote in for the country’s 10th president as economic issues such as inflation, social welfare schemes, food and fuel shortages, take precedence.

Key candidates

At the forefront of the race is sitting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, fighting for re-election. However, he faces competition from two other political heavyweights.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

The 75-year-old Wickremesinghe succeeded former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled in 2022 as the country’s economy hit rock-bottom and Sri-Lankans launched massive protests against the government.

President Wickremesinghe has garnered the people’s goodwill earlier as a six-time prime minister and for his role in negotiating an IMF bailout for the struggling country.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Key competitor for the country’s top position, Dissanayake is leading opinion polls ahead of the election, reported Reuters.

His party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has led Marxist uprisings against the government twice and were key contributors to the 2022 protests that erupted across the nation.

An Aljazeera report claimed that Dissanayake however, has opposed investigation into war crimes against the Tamil minority, which may alienate them from his mandate.

Sajith Premadasa

The son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, the 57-year-old leader is the head of Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

In the 2019 elections, he lost the race to Gotabaya Rajapaksa by a small margin and has appealed to voters this time with a promise to tax the rich to alleviate poverty in the country.

Key issues

The economic crisis of 2022 left the country dealing with widespread poverty and outrage from citizens towards the government. While progress has been made on some of these issues such as improvements in GDP and inflation, the people’s issues remain largely centred around the failure of the economy.

Official data obtained by news aency AFP showed that Sri Lanka’s poverty rate doubled to 25 percent between 2021 and 2022. The natin also has 46 billion dollars of foreign debt which is yet to be paid off.

Inflation, taxation and depreciation of currency has been one of the main issues. While President Wickremesinghe has improved the economy on many fronts, he has faced criticism for higher tax rates.

Availability of food, fuel, medicines also play a huge role especially after the roll back of several social welfare schemes under President Wickremesinghe.

What’s at stake for India?

The Sri Lankan elections carry influence beyond their borders, with it’s neighbouring nation India having vested interests for more than one reason.

The minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka holds strong bonds with the Indian state of Tamil Nadu across the ocean. With Sinhalese candidates leading the charge, it is a matter of concern for the Tamilian minority and its supporters. News agency Reuters reported that the Sri Lankan Tamil population feels “no hope” in the outcome of the presidential election.

However, India’s main concern lies with the growing influence of China over the Sri Lankan state. The two countries have been competing for a foothold in Sri Lanka due to the country’s strategic location for trade and military operations.

The Indian Adani Group has taken on a multi-billion dollar project for the expansion of the Colombo West International Terminal, reported Bloomberg.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sri-lanka-presidential-election-2024-september-21-2024-key-candidates-why-todays-vote-matters-for-india-101726876478718.html

Kamala Harris has told Oprah Winfrey that anyone who breaks into her home “is getting shot” as she tried to win over gun rights supporters before the US presidential election.

Ms Harris, the US vice president and the Democratic Party’s nominee, who backs stricter gun control laws, confirmed on a star-studded livestream event fronted by the former talk show host that she owns a weapon and is prepared to use it.

She said: “I’m a gun owner, too.” When Ms Winfrey expressed surprise, she warned: “If somebody’s breaking into my house, they’re getting shot.”

Thursday’s 90-minute Unite for America event, which took place in the city of Farmington Hills in the key swing state of Michigan, featured guest appearances from actors Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Ben Stiller, among other celebrities.

More than 300,000 people were watching on YouTube alone and it was also available on other major social media platforms.

Ms Harris stressed she and her running mate, Tim Walz, are both gun owners – while also emphasising her intention to bring in new restrictions on assault-style weapons, with the aim of tackling America’s school shootings problem.

As well as repeating campaign promises to reduce housing costs and lower taxes for the middle class, Ms Harris also leaned into another of her staple subjects – abortion rights.

The mother and sister of a young Georgia mother, who died after waiting 20 hours for a hospital to treat her complications from an abortion pill, joined the broadcast.

Amber Thurman’s death, first reported on Monday, came just two weeks after Georgia’s strict abortion ban was enacted in 2022 following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn nationwide abortion rights.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/kamala-harris-tells-oprah-anyone-breaking-into-her-home-is-getting-shot-13218488

Prosecutors said the former prime minister faced a bill of just under £3,000 for repairs to broken roof tiles. But the judge concluded the evidence was “so tenuous” that no court would convict them.

A judge has thrown out charges against four Greenpeace activists who scaled Rishi Sunak’s home in protest at the expansion of oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

They were arrested after they used ladders and ropes to climb the grade II-listed manor house in Kirby Sigston, near Northallerton in August last year, draping black fabric over the North Yorkshire property.

Amy Rugg-Easey, 33, Alexandra Wilson, 32, Mathieu Soete, 38, and Michael Grant, 64, had been accused of causing criminal damage to 15 roof slates during the five-hour demonstration.

But District Judge Adrian Lower concluded the evidence against the defendants was “so tenuous” that no court would convict them.

He said he would deliver a full ruling on 11 November.

Prosecutors at York Magistrates’ Court said Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty were left with a bill of just under £3,000 for repairs.

But defence lawyer Owen Greenhall argued it could not be proved the roof damage was caused during the protest.

The trial heard that Malcolm Richardson, a foreman and experienced roofer, was asked to inspect the area of roof where the protestors had been and identified 15 tiles which needed repairing.

During Mr Richardson’s evidence, it was found that three of the 15 pictures used by the prosecution were actually of the same tile taken from different angles, and some had been taken after Mr Richardson had moved the tiles to carry out the repairs in November.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/judge-throws-out-charges-against-greenpeace-activists-who-scaled-sunaks-home-13218527

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are being used to “enable abuse”, according to one campaigner and former assistant to disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

“It all begins with an NDA.”

A former personal assistant of Harvey Weinstein sums it up quite nicely.

What is going wrong in the workplace when it comes to widespread sexism, harassment, and bullying, particularly for women? The most serious consequence of which is sexual and physical violence as outlined, yet again, by the alleged victims of a man with considerable influence.

Mohamed al Fayed is the latest in a long line of men accused of heinous crimes, perpetrated from a position of power.

When will it stop?

It won’t while non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) exist, according to Zelda Perkins. In 2017, she said she was sexually harassed by Weinstein and broke a confidentiality agreement to speak out about the disgraced movie mogul.

“I think that they’re the complete root of the problem,” she says.

“They are one of the most prolifically used tools to not only enable abuse but to continue abuse because women cannot share their stories, which means that they don’t know what’s going on around them.

“They’re totally isolated. They can’t warn other people.”

An NDA is a legally binding contract that protects confidential information between parties.

They have their legitimate place, of course, in the world of business – including for private discussions, protection of client confidentiality and sensitive information.

They also need to be used to protect Intellectual Property (IP).

But Ms Perkins says “abuse is not a company’s IP”. She adds: “It’s not a trade secret. And it’s being treated as such.”

The good news is that there are campaigns and work is going on behind the scenes to change legal guidance and regulation – with a call for legislation to back it up.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/how-ndas-are-still-silencing-women-like-those-who-accuse-mohamed-al-fayed-of-abuse-13218615

The London-born star was hailed as a “legendary” actor as he brought to life characters from some of the UK’s favourite TV shows, including Doctor Who and Thunderbirds.

David Graham, whose voice featured in some of the UK’s favourite TV shows, including Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig, has died.

The London-born star was 99.

Jamie Anderson, the son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, led the tributes on X as he called Graham a “legendary” actor.

Graham brought to life the Thunderbirds puppet characters Gordon Tracy, scientist Brains, and Lady Penelope’s driver, Aloysius “Nosey” Parker, in the series about the secret International Rescue organisation.

“We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family,” Anderson’s post on X confirming the death on Friday said.

Anderson went on to pay tribute to Graham, who also voiced the evil Daleks in Doctor Who, saying: “David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment.”

‘What a talent’

Anderson also told the PA news agency: “Just a few weeks ago, I was with 2,000 Anderson fans at a Gerry Anderson concert in Birmingham where we sang him happy birthday – such a joyous occasion.

“And now, just a few weeks later, he’s left us. David was always kind and generous with his time and his talent. And what a talent.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/peppa-pig-and-thunderbirds-actor-david-graham-dies-aged-99-13218708

Artem, a 22-year-old IT student in Moscow, has no regrets about shelling out more than $3,000 to see his favourite singer perform.
Around the world, fans of Taylor Swift – “Swifties” – are used to paying eye-popping prices to attend her concerts. But in Russia, there are other challenges in the quest to catch the superstar on tour.
Many Western performers have shunned Russia since 2022, when Russia sent its army into Ukraine, and outward travel to the West is fraught with complications.
But Russian Swifties, undeterred, embarked this summer on daunting odysseys – requiring visa appointments and clever flight combinations – to catch Swift on her sold-out Eras tour.
Elizaveta, a 20-year-old medical student, travelled with Artem to see Swift perform in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, in July.
“When you realise your dream has come true, well of course, (you feel) happiness, joy, and great thankfulness that everything worked out,” she said.

(This Sept. 19 story has been corrected to remove reference to lawyer Vladimir Kuzmanov, who has no link to Norta Global Ltd, and was misidentified.)

Bulgaria and Norway became new focal points on Thursday of a global hunt for who supplied Hezbollah with the thousands of pagers that exploded in Lebanon this week in a deadly blow to the militant group.
Security sources said that Israel was responsible for the explosions on Tuesday that killed 12 people, injured more than 2,300 and raised the stakes in a growing conflict between the two sides. Israel has not directly commented on the attacks.
How and with whose help the pager attack was carried out was not yet known, although so far there were possible leads in Taiwan, Hungary and Bulgaria.
It is not clear how and when the pagers were weaponised so they could be remotely detonated. The same question remains for the hundreds of hand-held radios used by Hezbollah that exploded on Wednesday in a second wave of attacks.
One theory is that the pagers were intercepted and hooked up with explosives after they left factories. Another is that Israel orchestrated the whole deadly supply chain.
Bulgarian authorities said on Thursday that its interior ministry and state security services had opened an investigation into a company’s possible ties. They did not name the company they were investigating.
Local media reports said Sofia-based Norta Global Ltd had facilitated the sale of the pagers to Hezbollah. Citing security sources, national broadcaster bTV reported, opens new tab that 1.6 million euros related to the transaction passed through Bulgaria, and was sent to Hungary.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the claim.
Emails sent to a Norta email listed on Bulgarian company registration records were returned as undeliverable. The firm’s founder declined to comment.
Images of destroyed pagers analysed by Reuters showed a format consistent with devices made by Taiwan’s Gold Apollo. Gold Apollo said on Wednesday that the pagers were made by BAC Consulting, a company based in the Hungarian capital Budapest.
The owner and CEO of BAC Consulting, Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, did not return multiple requests for comment by phone and text message.
On Wednesday, she told NBC News that her company worked with Gold Apollo but that she had nothing to do with the making of the pagers. “I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong,” she told NBC.
Hungarian news site Telex reported that the sale was facilitated by Norta Global Ltd, citing sources.
Norta’s Bulgarian headquarters are registered at an apartment building in the capital Sofia that is also home to nearly 200 other companies, according to a local company registry. There was no sign of Norta.
Content on Norta Global’s website, globalnorta.com, was deleted on Thursday. The website previously had English, Bulgarian and Norwegian language versions, and advertised services including consulting, technology integration, recruitment and outsourcing.
“Are you looking for an agile company to help you succeed or to find that tech solution just right for you? Look no further,” the website had said, according to copies of the website reviewed by Reuters before it was altered.
Norta’s founder, Rinson Jose, is based in Norway. He declined to comment on the pagers when reached by phone and hung up when asked about the Bulgarian business.
His neighbours in a quiet suburb of Oslo said they didn’t know much about him. Amund Djuve, the CEO of DN Media, where Jose currently works, told Reuters he was aware of the reports and had alerted the police and security services. He said that Jose was travelling to the United States.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/hunt-origins-lebanon-pager-attack-widens-bulgaria-norway-2024-09-19/

Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander and other senior figures in the Lebanese movement in an airstrike on Beirut on Friday, vowing to press on with a new military campaign until it is able to secure the area around the Lebanese border.
The Israeli military and a security source in Lebanon said Ibrahim Aqil had been killed with other senior members of an elite Hezbollah unit in the airstrike, sharply escalating the year-long conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group.

Earlier, the ministry said at least 66 people were injured, nine of whom were in critical condition.

A second security source said at least six other Hezbollah commanders died when multiple missiles slammed into the opening of a building’s garage. The explosion tore into the building’s lower levels as Aqil met other commanders inside.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud whistling and several consecutive blasts at the time of the strike.

In a brief statement carried by Israeli media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s goals were clear and its actions spoke for themselves.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who said this week that Israel is launching a new phase of war on the northern border, posted on X: “The sequence of actions in the new phase will continue until our goal is achieved: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.”

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border since Hezbollah began rocketing Israel in October in sympathy with Palestinians in the nearly year-old Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel, which last fought an all-out war against Hezbollah 18 years ago, has said it will use force if necessary to ensure its citizens can return to northern Israel.

The Israeli military described Aqil as the acting commander of the Radwan special forces unit, and said it had killed him along with around 10 other senior commanders as they met. Aqil sat on Hezbollah’s top military council, sources in Lebanon told Reuters.

The strike inflicted another blow on Hezbollah after two days of attacks in which pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded, killing 37 people and wounding thousands. Those attacks were widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

Local broadcasters showed groups of people gathered near the site, and reported they were searching for missing people, most of them children. Drones were still flying over Beirut’s southern suburbs hours after the strike.

“We are not afraid, but we want a solution. We cannot continue with the country like this,” said Alain Feghali, a resident of Beirut who spoke to Reuters. “War? I don’t know if it started or not, but nothing is reassuring. It is clear that the two sides will not stop.”

The U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine-Hennis Plasschaert, said Friday’s strike in a densely populated area of Beirut’s southern suburbs was part of “an extremely dangerous cycle of violence with devastating consequences. This must stop now.”

The strike marked the second time in less than two months that Israel has targeted a leading Hezbollah military commander in Beirut. In July, an Israeli airstrike killed Fuad Shukr, the group’s top military commander.

Aqil had a $7-million bounty on his head from the United States over his link to the deadly bombing of Marines in Lebanon in 1983, according to the U.S. State Department website.

The Israeli military said Aqil had been head of Hezbollah operations since 2004 and was responsible for a plan to launch a raid on northern Israel, similar to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that triggered the war in Gaza.

“The Hezbollah commanders we eliminated today had been planning their ‘October 7th’ on the northern border for years,” Israeli army chief General Herzi Halevi said.

“We reached them, and we will reach anyone who threatens the security of Israel’s citizens.”

RUBBLE AND BURNT-OUT CARS

The Israeli military reported warning sirens in northern Israel following the Beirut strike, and Israeli media reported heavy rocket fire there.

Hezbollah said it twice fired Katyusha rockets at what it described as the main intelligence headquarters in northern Israel “which is responsible for assassinations”.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said he was not aware of any Israeli notification to the United States before the Beirut strike, adding Americans were strongly urged not to travel to Lebanon, or to leave if they were there.

However he added that, “war is not inevitable … and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to try to prevent it.”

The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, ignited by the Gaza war, has intensified significantly this week.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-peacekeepers-lebanon-urge-de-escalation-after-heavy-airstrikes-2024-09-20/

Sonic booms shook buildings over Beirut during the televised speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as Israeli jets flew over the Lebanese capital.

Hezbollah’s leader has accused Israel of carrying out “massacres” with pager and walkie-talkie explosions, saying it wanted to kill “5,000 people in two minutes”.

Lebanon has blamed Israel for the blasts on Tuesday and Wednesday which have killed at least 37 and injured thousands.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the “unprecedented” explosions “could be called a declaration of war” as he accused Israel of “violating red lines” and threatened to retaliate.

Meanwhile, across a two-hour period late on Thursday, Israel’s military said it struck hundreds of rocket launcher sites in southern Lebanon, in the first major attack since the blasts earlier this week.

Middle East latest: UK foreign secretary calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’

Nasrallah said 4,000 pagers carried by Hezbollah members exploded in hospitals, shops, cars and streets “where many civilians were” on Tuesday.

A thousand walkie-talkies exploded the following day.

Israel has not directly commented on the attacks which, according to security sources, were probably carried out by its Mossad spy agency.

During Nasrallah’s speech, in which he called the blasts an “unprecedented blow” and a “test” for Hezbollah, sonic booms were heard over Beirut which shook buildings.

Sky’s international correspondent John Sparks, who is in the Lebanese capital and heard the sound, said Israeli jets could be seen over the city.

He described it as an attempt by Israel to remind people in Lebanon of their presence and military power.

In another apparent reminder, Israel said its warplanes struck southern Lebanon on Thursday.

In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said: “Over the last two hours, directed by IDF intelligence, the IAF [Israeli Air Force] struck hundreds of rocket launcher barrels that were ready to be used immediately to fire toward Israeli territory.

“Since this afternoon, the IAF has struck approximately 100 launchers and additional terrorist infrastructure sites, consisting of approximately 1,000 barrels that were ready to be used in the immediate future to fire toward Israeli territory.”

They threatened to continue targeting Hezbollah on the back of recently declaring a “new phase” of the war.

Reacting to the Hezbollah leader’s speech Jon Sparks said: “Somewhat cryptically, he [Nasrallah] said that the attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday would be met with a ‘just punishment’. He’s certainly under pressure from his members to do that. He didn’t spell out what that punishment was going to look like.”

Nasrallah claimed Hezbollah’s top officials do not carry the model of pagers which exploded and “what happened did not impact our command, control or infrastructure”.

He also spoke about the tit-for-tat war with Israel since 8 October around the south Lebanon border, adding that the conflict was causing Israel “pain” and would continue.

The Stallones are headed to the Hamptons!

Sylvester Stallone is in contract to buy his three daughters — Sophia, 28, Sistine, 26, and Scarlet, 22 — a $24.95 million mansion in East Hampton, The Post reported Thursday.

The “Rocky” star reportedly offered all cash for the eight-bedroom abode, which boasts nearly 12,000 square feet of living space and sits on more than one acre of land.

Although the contract is nearing completion, the sale has yet to close, meaning it is unclear whether Stallone worked out a deal for the new build.

Sly, who currently lives in a $35 million Palm Beach, Fla., mansion, made an offer on the property after two video tours, according to the report. However, he has never seen it in person.

The nine-bathroom home features three floors and is just one mile from the beach.

The mansion was developed by award-winning interior designer James Michael Howard and “influenced by classical architecture” and his Southern style.

“Every detail, from furniture to rugs, curtains and lighting, featuring antiques from around the world, has been meticulously chosen for this spectacular estate home,” which comes fully furnished, per its listing.

When entering the home, guests are greeted by a double-height foyer and a dramatic staircase. The exquisite flooring was done by artisans flown in from the South, according to The Post.

Source: https://pagesix.com/2024/09/19/lifestyle/sylvester-stallone-buying-daughters-25m-hamptons-home-photos/

Eminem isn’t done taking shots at Sean “Diddy” Combs. On “Fuel – Shady Edition,” included on the freshly released “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce): Expanded Mourner’s Edition,” the rapper resurfaces accusations that Combs had something to do with the murders of the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, claims he previously made on the original version of “Fuel” and on 2018’s “Killshot.”

On “Fuel – Shady Edition,” which originally featured JID, Em unloads a few bars against Combs after a few verses from Westside Boogie and Grip. “Notorious B.I.G.’s death was the domino effects of Tupac’s murder / Like facial tissue, whose card should I clean next? Puff’s?” he raps. “‘Til he’s in police handcuffs, guilty, will he step up? / Like gee, never turned himself in, who knows all the murders there’ll have been / Or me mixed up, prepare for me to not choose none of my words carefully.”

Eminem initially lobbed this claim at Diddy on “Killshot,” a diss record towards MGK who was signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records. “Kells, the day you put out a hit’s the day Diddy admits / That he put the hit out that got Pac killed,” rapped Em on the track.

For those who listened to “The Death of Slim Shady” when it released in July, Eminem was consistently throwing shots at Combs and mentioned him several times throughout the album. On “Antichrist,” he referenced the horrific video of Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura; on “Bad One,” he mentions the allegation that Combs planted an explosive in Kid Cudi’s car while he was dating Ventura. And, on the original “Fuel,” he made yet another claim that Combs was responsible for Biggie and Tupac’s deaths.

Source: https://variety.com/2024/music/news/eminem-sean-diddy-combs-connection-tupac-biggie-murders-fuel-shady-edition-1236143332/

Google employees liberally labeled their emails as “privileged and confidential” and spoke “off the record” over chat messages, even after being told to preserve their communications for investigators, lawyers for the Justice Department have told a Virginia court over the past couple of weeks.

That strategy could backfire if the judge in Google’s second antitrust trial believes the company intentionally destroyed evidence that would have looked bad for it. The judge could go as far as giving an adverse inference about Google’s missing documents, which would mean assuming they would have been bad for Google’s case.

Documents shown in court regularly display the words “privileged and confidential” as business executives discuss their work, occasionally with a member of Google’s legal team looped in. On Friday, former Google sell-side ad executive Chris LaSala said that wasn’t the only strategy Google used. He testified that after being placed on a litigation hold in connection with law enforcers’ investigation, Google chat messages had history off by default, and his understanding was that needed to be changed for each individual chat that involved substantive work conversations. Multiple former Google employees testified to never changing the default setting and occasionally having substantive business discussions in chats, though they were largely reserved for casual conversations.

LaSala also used that default to his advantage at times, documents shown by the government in court revealed. In one 2020 chat, an employee asked LaSala if they should email two other Google employees about an issue and, soon after, asked, “Or too sensitive for email so keep on ping?” LaSala responded, instructing the employee to “start a ping with history turned off.” In a separate 2020 exchange, LaSala again instructed his employee to “maybe start an off the record ping thread with Duke, you, me.”

Still, LaSala said he “tried to follow the terms of the litigation hold,” but he acknowledged he “made a mistake.” Shortly after a training about the hold, he recalled receiving a chat from a colleague. Though LaSala said he turned history on, he wasn’t sure the first message would be preserved. LaSala said he put that message in an email just in case. In general, LaSala said, “We were really good at documenting … and to the extent I made a mistake a couple times, it was not intentional.”

Brad Bender, another Google ad tech executive who testified earlier in the week, described conversations with colleagues over chat as more akin to “bumping into the hall and saying ‘hey we should chat.’” The DOJ also questioned former Google executive Rahul Srinivasan about emails he marked privileged and confidential, asking what legal advice he was seeking in those emails. He said he didn’t remember.

Google employees were well aware of how their written words could be used against the company, the DOJ argued, pointing to the company’s “Communicate with Care” legal training for employees. In one 2019 email, Srinivasan copied a lawyer on an email to colleagues about an ad tech feature and reminded the group to be careful with their language. “We should be particularly careful when framing something as a ‘circumvention,’” he wrote. “We should assume that every document (and email) we generate will likely be seen by regulators.” The email was labeled “PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL.”

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/19/24245559/google-employee-privileged-confidential-deleted-chats

“One village, two countries” used to be the tagline for Yinjing on China’s south-eastern edge.
An old tourist sign boasts of a border with Myanmar made of just “bamboo fences, ditches and earth ridges” – a sign of the easy economic relationship Beijing had sought to build with its neighbour.
Now the border the BBC visited is marked by a high, metal fence running through the county of Ruili in Yunnan province. Topped by barbed wire and surveillance cameras in some places, it cuts through rice fields and carves up once-adjoined streets.
China’s tough pandemic lockdowns forced the separation initially. But it has since been cemented by the intractable civil war in Myanmar, triggered by a bloody coup in 2021. The military regime is now fighting for control in large swathes of the country, including Shan State along China’s border, where it has suffered some of its biggest losses.
The crisis at its doorstep – a nearly 2,000km (1,240-mile) border – is becoming costly for China, which has invested millions of dollars in Myanmar for a critical trade corridor.
The ambitious plan aims to connect China’s landlocked south-east to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar. But the corridor has become a battleground between Myanmar rebels and the country’s army.