CPI(M) MLA’s son among 9 held for possessing ganja, legislator denies allegations
‘Bagging it’: Dutton attacks bombshell findingsMachinery fire extinguished at Delta, B.C., coal port terminal: Port authority
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason Friday’s New Jersey high school football playoff scores Not too late! Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week Galloway Township gymnastics center co-owner charged with sexually assaulting minor Galloway man gets 3 years in Ocean City fatal crash Offshore wind company to buy vacant 1.5-acre Atlantic City lot for $1 million Atlantic City International Airport's 1 carrier, Spirit Airlines, files for bankruptcy Which players did the Cape-Atlantic League coaches pick as the best of the best in fall sports? Prosecutor still determined to find whoever is responsible for West Atlantic City killings What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Upper Township employees disagree on morale 2 Galloway men arrested after spraying workers with rocks in Nature Preserve Ocean City introduces new fees on rentals $23 million apartment complex promises to bring new vitality to quaint Swedesboro UPDATED NHL referee taken away on stretcher at Flyers game Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Larry Wilson: The lost art of college students talking to each other
My Date with Rural China----VOC.com.cn Unveils Season Two of I Am in Rural China
NoneNone
Riley Allenspach, Trey Fort lead Samford past Austin Peay 72-47And even when the Chicago Bears brain trust decided they no longer could justify keeping Matt Eberflus as head coach of their team, they still waited until he conducted one more news conference — telling us everything was fine and he was preparing for next week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers — before they actually pulled the trigger. Remember, this is an operation worth an estimated $6.4 billion, not a local hardware business trying to decide whether a store clerk should be let go for putting the wingnuts and screws in the wrong aisle. Fittingly, the Bears were the Bears until the last drop. “It’s been a normal operation,” Eberflus said Friday morning on a Zoom call with reporters before being Zoomed out of the NFL. The sad part is the Bears truly believe they are a normal operation when it’s quite obvious they’re the laughingstock of football. Who else would let Eberflus continue to fail time and time again after he repeatedly proved he wasn’t fit for the job. His .304 winning percentage was third-worst in Bears history, ahead of only John Fox (.292) and Abe Gibron (.274). And at least Abe had Melody to help take our minds off all the losing. (Google it, kids.) Eberflus’ days had been numbered since the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders. The 19-3 loss to the lowly New England Patriots on Nov. 10, in which he and his team were booed off the field, would’ve been a perfect time to say sayonara. The Bears had eight games remaining to try to salvage the season, and at 4-5 there was still some hope it could be done. But, no, the McCaskeys don’t fire head coaches in season, we’ve been told a thousand times. Instead they got rid of the sacrificial goat, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was replaced by Thomas Brown . Fans would have to suffer through three more brutal endings before George McCaskey finally got it into his head that this marriage was not going to work. The Thanksgiving Day clock blunder will be remembered as the fatal blow, of course, because we all watched in a collective stupor as the clock ticked down and Caleb Williams kept barking out signals, seemingly oblivious to the fact the game was about to end. Even your Aunt Martha, who doesn’t know a football from a drumstick, was yelling: “What is he doing, for crying out loud?” It made for an unforgettable Thanksgiving, with everyone in the living room calling for Eberflus’ head. Then came the “everything is fine” news conference Friday morning that made it appear as though the Bears were actually trying to gaslight their fans. I’m not sure what made McCaskey agree to change the long-standing policy — whether it was Jimmy Johnson’s rant or a tweet by The Wieners Circle — but whoever it was should get a medal of valor for saving the city from a mass mental breakdown. We all saw this coming, except perhaps the Three Amigos: McCaskey, Warren and Poles . That still doesn’t make it any more palatable. Related Articles Chicago Bears | Matt Eberflus’ Chicago Bears timeline: 32 losses, multiple coach firings and too many late-game missteps Chicago Bears | Chicago Bears fire Matt Eberflus — the 1st time they’ve dismissed a head coach during a season Chicago Bears | Column: In promoting Thomas Brown to interim head coach, are the Chicago Bears putting Caleb Williams’ development at risk? Chicago Bears | Column: After Matt Eberflus’ firing, the onus is on Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles to put the Chicago Bears on the right path Chicago Bears | Another critical breakdown for the Chicago Bears. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Week 13 loss on Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving hangover firing bookends the most famous “hiring” in Bears history, when Mike McCaskey told the media Dave McGinnis would be the head coach before actually informing McGinnis, thus losing both the coach and the rest of his own dwindling credibility. That embarrassing moment would be the lowlight of Mike McCaskey’s career, just as this will be remembered as George’s unshining moment. How will Eberflus be remembered? Was he a poor man’s Pedro Grifol or a poorer man’s Jim Boylen? Until Thursday’s debacle, perhaps the moment that best epitomized the Eberflus era was, during a lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in October 2023, when he threw the red challenge flag after the Bears scored a meaningless touchdown late in the game. He meant to throw it before the play, but Eberflus was never one to react quickly to any situation. And because there wasn’t any video replay of the actual touchdown, it was no harm, no foul. What comes next for Bears fans is the hard part. Do they trust these executives to hire the right replacement? Almost as much as they trust Mayor Brandon Johnson to manage the city budget . The easiest solution is to throw money at Bill Belichick and see if he bites. If Williams is truly a game-changing quarterback then it makes sense to give the keys to the guy who coached the greatest quarterback of his generation. But making sense is not really the Bears’ thing, so expect them to go for someone they don’t have to give any real power to and will be blander than their last five coaches combined. Someone disposable by 2027. It’s just normal operating procedure at Halas Hall.
For one Hemel Hempstead family, it has meant a battle lasting six years – and counting – to get a child the support he needs. Diagnosis Alfie, 11, was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. Ever since, his mum, Natasha, has been fighting his corner with the health service and with Hertfordshire County Council, who provide the area’s SEND services. But, at a time when Alfie should be finishing his first term at secondary school, he has been left without a suitable school place. Constant delays and a lack of communication are regular features of a system that Natasha says seems to be “built against parents”. The impact on Alfie has been serious as he has become “socially isolated” and now also struggles academically. Alfie also suffered a mental health crisis earlier this year, which Natasha believes was caused by failings from the authorities that should be helping to meet his needs. Natasha has had to become an expert on a failing system to fight Alfie’s corner – but the hurdles they have come up against at every turn have been so severe they were even mentioned by Hemel Hempstead’s new MP, David Taylor, in his maiden speech in parliament. The problems reach back all the way to Alfie’s initial diagnosis, while he was a pupil in his early years at Jupiter Primary School. Fight for care plan Natasha began trying to get him an education, health and care plan, but says she met with resistance from the school who refused to support an application for one until Mike Penning, the then MP for Hemel Hempstead, intervened. Even then, the county council initially refused to assess. Natasha appealed the decision, and it went to mediation – the date of which was changed multiple times, including on one occasion because it had been carelessly booked on a bank holiday. The day before mediation was eventually set to go ahead, the county council conceded and said they would assess Alfie – a familiar story to many parents, with around 90 per cent of appeals being lost or conceded before they are heard. “They made us wait six months just to agree to assess anyway ... it’s crazy,” Natasha said. It then took over a year from the initial application to Alfie receiving his EHCP – far longer than the legal deadline of 20 weeks – and the process itself was poor, Natasha said. In the year to September 2024, just 56 per cent of EHCPs were completed by the deadline, and earlier this year, Hertfordshire Police opened an investigation into county council officials over possible ‘misconduct in public office ‘regarding the way EHCP requests were being dealt with. Natasha says Alfie’s cognitive ability was not assessed during the EHCP application process and continues. “We saw an educational psychologist, but they did not assess Alfie during the visit,” she said, “ No standardised testing, nothing. “They pretty much just read reports and then made their own report based on them. Alfie was in the room, but they didn’t even talk to him ... he was just there.” When the EHCP was finally completed, Natasha says, it was “not worth the paper it was written on” and was unsuitable for his needs. Throughout this time, Alfie was at Jupiter, where he suffered “a lot of bullying”, both physical and verbal, and fell behind academically. He was temporarily suspended from the school three times in the space of two months, including an hour into SATS week, at a time when Natasha believed the school was understaffed and not offering Alfie one-to-one support. Alfie’s primary school years ended with a mental health crisis, and Natasha believes a lack of support from Jupiter contributed to his deteriorating mental health. In one incident, Natasha says, a teacher at the school deliberately broke Alfie’s comfort item – a stick – in front of other pupils. Alfie’s distress led to him “trashing the classroom,” an incident Natasha only learned about when a pupil told her about it in the playground after school. She believes the teacher “ridiculed” Alfie, and that staff saw her son as a “disruption”. Despite Alfie’s experience, Jupiter was recently awarded for its “outstanding” mental health and wellbeing provision. Secondary school When it came time to apply for a secondary school place, Natasha believed Alfie needed a place in a specialist school. Her view was supported by others. A PALMS ( positive behaviour, autism, learning disability and mental health service) psychiatrist said they were “concerned” Alfie would “struggle even more” in a mainstream secondary school. One such mainstream secondary school refused to take Alfie, saying in its consultation response that he “clearly needs a much more nurturing and bespoke curriculum and setting than any mainstream school could offer”. In fact, every school consulted, both mainstream and specialist, said they could not take Alfie – except one. Adeyfield Academy, Alfie’s closest mainstream secondary school, raised “concerns” about their suitability for his needs – they said he “may not manage the rigours of a mainstream secondary curriculum” – but did not outright object to taking him. It meant Alfie was allocated a place at the school, starting in September this year. But he has not been able to go. Natasha says that when she met Adeyfield’s SEND leaders she was “told that he would not get one-to-one [support], he would be expected to wear full school uniform – which he isn’t able to because of his sensory needs – and he will be expected to go into each class independently and do the same work as everyone else”. “Alfie’s working at a Year 1 level academically and he requires a lot of support just to access that, and this school is saying he will be doing Year 7 work, with no support. “They’re not able to meet his needs,” Natasha said. An alternative provision for a few hours a week is provided for Alfie, but even this was not in place at the start of the term. Appeals and tribunals Natasha appealed the decision to send him to Adeyfield, with an initial tribunal held in September and then adjourned until December. She and Alfie are now awaiting the results of that tribunal after a process that Natasha says is in “disarray”. There has been some progress – Hertfordshire County Council have agreed that a specialist school would be most suited for Alfie’s needs. But, Natasha says, more than 20 schools in Hertfordshire and further afield have now been consulted on whether they can take him, and all have refused. She had been told that the council was looking at special resource provision (SRP) units within mainstream schools, and prepared for the tribunal on that basis – only to find they were now looking at social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) schools. Natasha says the experience – which she has had to handle alongside bringing up both Alfie and his younger brother – is “incredibly stressful”. “You’re going into a hearing with all your evidence ... and they’re not interested in that anymore, so you’re not prepared. “I’m just a parent, I don’t have any legal background, I’m muddling my way through this really confusing system, and to be in these tribunals is stressful enough without being put on the back foot like that.” Natasha has looked at moderate learning difficulties (MLD) schools too, but they have also said they can’t take Alfie: “The MLD schools felt that Alfie’s main need was SEMH, and the SEMH schools felt his main need was MLD.” The result of the initial tribunal, which should have been sent to Natasha within two weeks, was only received a month later after she chased it up: “It’s yet another SEND system that doesn’t stick to its own deadlines.” The tribunal also involved changes to Alfie’s EHCP, with Natasha’s appeal resulting in 26 points being added to the plan that the county council had previously declined to include. There have been further issues with the tribunals, too. At one, the county council turned up with an undeclared witness who, Natasha says, the judge had to ask to leave because they had not submitted the required paperwork. Deadlines for consulting schools have been missed. Schools have been slow in coming back. The information they have provided in their responses when challenged at the tribunal, has been shown to be incorrect. Delays are common When Natasha submitted a subject access request to see the consultation reports from schools – which are not given to parents automatically – she had to wait “seven months for them to give me three sheets of paper”. Natasha says the process “takes over every aspect of your life”. “My daily life is fighting this system to get Alfie what he should be getting. And every single person ... is working against us. “You are left helpless, and it feels like a system in which you can’t win. “It almost feels like we’re living in a third-world country, where you can’t get a school place for your child. “It feels like we are looked at as if we’re overreacting. We’re not taken seriously. “Our views are not heard or understood, and the children’s needs are not heard or understood.” And, throughout all this time, Alfie goes without schooling. Natasha warns that the issue, which also affects many other children in Hertfordshire, could have long-term consequences: “We’re going to end up with a whole generation of adults who are not able to fit into society because they’ve been at home when they should have been at school. “They’re not going to have the qualifications and knowledge to get jobs; they’re not going to be able to socialise properly. “Where are these children going to go when they become adults? Alfie and Natasha have faced issues with health services, too. Alfie was referred for an assessment for possible ADHD, and a PALMS psychiatrist earlier this year said the assessment “will be crucial to his progress”, with treatment available after a formal diagnosis. But – after a month-long back and forth between PALMS and CAMHS (children and adolescent mental health services) as to who should deal with Alfie going forward – no assessment has yet been done. When Natasha chased CAMHS up, she says she was told they had no record of Alfie and he was not on the waiting list for an assessment. It was only after Natasha asked MP David Taylor to step in that they got in touch to confirm an appointment for spring 2025, more than a year after Alfie was initially referred. Natasha believes she was “not listened to” by CAMHS when she raised concerns about Alfie’s mental health, 18 months before he suffered his crisis earlier this year. She adds that she felt like she was “failing as a parent” after one “really awful” assessment where the medical professional did not speak once to Alfie. David Taylor said he had been “deeply moved” to hear about Natasha and Alfie’s “inexcusable and hellish nightmare”. He said he will do “everything in my power to ensure no other families in Hertfordshire are put through the pain they experienced”, and welcomed the £1bn for SEND services nationally that was announced in the government’s recent Budget. Natasha says she is “so grateful” for Mr Taylor’s support, and suggests other SEND parents should take their cases up with their MPs too. Natasha’s aims are simple: to get Alfie a place at a school suited to his needs; an EHCP that’s fit for purpose; and an assessment for whether he has ADHD. But six years on, their battle continues – and with no end in sight. Spokespeople for Jupiter Primary School, Adeyfield Academy and Hertfordshire County Council said they could not comment on individual cases. The spokesperson for Jupiter said the school is “committed to the wellbeing and education of all our pupils”. “Any concerns or complaints brought to our attention are handled in accordance with the [Danes Educational] Trust’s policies or procedures. “These processes are designed to ensure that all matters raised are listened to, carefully considered, and addressed appropriately.” The Adeyfield Academy spokesperson said the school “prides itself on providing an inclusive and caring learning environment for all” and works “tirelessly to offer the right support to each child so that they can meet their potential”. It is understood that a county council officer is also examining how Adeyfield responds to consultations on whether it is a suitable school for children with SEND. The county council spokesperson said they “are committed to ensuring that the right provision and support is in place to meet the individual needs of every child”. “Amid increasing need for our SEND services and increasing numbers of complex cases, we are committed to working in partnership with young people, parents, carers, the NHS and schools to ensure that all children and young people with SEND and EHCPs in Hertfordshire receive the support they need and deserve.” They said “that many families have not experienced the service and support they need and deserve in the past” but that they now “have comprehensive improvement plans in place, which are being independently monitored”. The spokesperson added that the council has “expanded local special school capacity in Hertfordshire by creating 764 additional special school places since 2018” – though Alfie has not been given one of those places.
Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TWMIF) Short Interest UpdatePublished 19:14 IST, December 28th 2024 The BJP on Saturday accused the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi of indulging in politics over the funeral of former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Saturday accused the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi of indulging in politics over the funeral of former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Addressing a press conference on saturday, BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra came down heavily on Gandhi for stating that the Narendra Modi government disrespected Singh by conducting his funeral at Nigambodh Ghat, whereas for other former prime ministers the last rites were performed at sites where memorials were authorised to be built later. "It is unfortunate that the BJP has to address a press conference on the subject relating to the funeral of Dr Singh... since his death, the Centre has been preparing to construct a memorial for him," Patra said. "A cabinet meeting was called and a condolence message was issued. It was also decided to pay proper respects to the former PM befitting to his stature. The cabinet has informed both Dr Singh's family and the Congress that a memorial will be built so that everyone can remember his positive contribution. However, time is needed for land acquisition, forming a trust and other formalities. At the same time, cremation should be done as it cannot wait," Patra said. The BJP leader also alleged that the grand old party had "insulted" its leaders -- former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao and ex-president Pranab Mukherjee. With PTI Inputs Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 19:14 IST, December 28th 2024REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.