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Bendigo must blow defence rival out of the water with new missile launchersThe 13 office buildings in Richmond, B.C.’s Airport Executive Park – a business park located on 35 acres of green space – date back to a time when climate change and carbon footprints weren’t part of mainstream discussions and long-term environmental control programs. But as more companies set climate and sustainability targets, many are actively working toward reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions within their operations and supply chains. Fiera Real Estate Canada – the current owner of Richmond’s Airport Executive Park (AEP) – is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, partly through the installation of electric heat pumps that will replace its gas-fired heating systems, which date back to the 1980s and early 2000s. The company’s net-zero ambitions are emblematic of the significant commitments national building owners are making that will help Canada reach its target of net-zero building emissions by 2050. And while 25 years from today may seem like a long time, experts warn Canada isn’t making progress fast enough to achieve its goal. The clock began ticking in 2021 when the federal government adopted the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act , aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of GHG reductions hitting at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Released this year, the Canada Green Buildings Strategy says there are more than 564,000 commercial and institutional buildings across the country, and because the majority are expected to still be in use in 2050, most will require extensive upgrades and retrofitting to reach Canada’s net-zero goal. “It’s hard to see how we’re going to achieve the interim standards for the building sector by 2030, and if we don’t reach them, the climb to 2050 is going to be a lot harder,” says Thomas Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC), which supports the building industry’s transition to green structures and sets national standards for zero-carbon buildings. Updated in July, the council’s Zero Carbon Building standards focus on maintaining high energy efficiency in new buildings and reducing carbon emissions in older structures by replacing fossil-fuel-burning equipment. It estimates that Canada needs to convert at least 3 per cent of its buildings to net-zero emissions a year and invest billions in making buildings greener. A recent study from CAGBC and the Delphi Group – a Canadian climate and sustainability consultancy – identifies the most-needed upgrades in buildings to be LED lighting, triple-glazed windows, roof insulation, high-efficiency ventilation systems, as well as computer control systems that reduce heating and cooling when rooms are not in use. These upgrades require major structural changes and are why most building owners are conducting feasibility studies and putting refits into their 10-year plans, says Tonya Lagrasta, vice-president and head of ESG at commercial real estate services company Colliers Canada. However, she says: “The price tags for things like window replacements can have owners of older buildings falling off their chairs.” The Pembina Institute, a clean-energy think tank, estimates that decarbonizing Canada’s commercial and residential building sector will require more than $400-billion in upgrades. It also concludes that more incentives must be put in place. Since grants are often difficult for governments to finance and administer, tax credits to stimulate investment are more practical, says Mr. Mueller. However, a challenge is that several provinces and cities have building codes that include specifications that vary from the federal standards. “It is a real hodgepodge of standards across the country and that is contributing to confusion,” says Terry Bergen, Victoria-based managing principal of RJC Engineers, a building science consultancy. For retrofits, there is also a misconception that high efficiency comes with higher operating costs. But recently, a lot of studies have been released that demonstrate a high return on investment by making these changes, says Duncan Rowe, a Toronto-based principal with RJC Engineers. At the same time, Mr. Rowe acknowledges that it’s not economical or ecologically practical to speed up the replacement of nearly-new equipment just to meet a standard. In other words, upgrades should be aligned with the life cycle of equipment. In the case of Airport Executive Park, the heating systems were several decades old and in need of replacement. While the newly installed systems are less than a year old, the expectation is that annual energy cost savings for all the property’s buildings will be as much as 50 per cent. In the long term, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is an interim step toward a goal of being fully net-zero energy – producing as much clean energy as consumed with on-site clean and renewable sources, such as solar, wind or geothermal, Ms. Lagrasta says. Net-zero energy is achievable because technology is advancing, says Mr. Rowe. For instance, solar technology is becoming affordable and can be efficient at powering some buildings, but it needs the right conditions. If a building owner has a large roof area, solar is a practical solution, though it won’t be sufficient for an office tower with a small roof. However, there are also developments in photovoltaic glass that can turn windows into power sources, Mr. Rowe says. Ultimately, economics – not politics – will persuade building owners to invest in green technology, Ms. Lagrasta says. A study by Colliers found tenants are willing to pay a premium of an average of 8 per cent to be in a building with a high sustainability rating. “Building owners value their assets and political winds come and go. But it will become harder to attract and retain tenants in an older building that is falling behind the curve,” Ms. Lagrasta says.
Rod Stewart enjoys night out with Penny Lancaster after singer blasted ‘bully’ Gregg Wallace for ‘humiliating’ his wifeShare Tweet Share Share Email Key Takeaways: Ground Handling Solution by Checkport 100% INAD Prevention: Complete assurance against inadmissible passengers (INADs), with Checkport covering bona fide INAD penalties. Real-Time Validation: Over 1.7 million travel documents validated, with 86% automated to reduce manual errors. Passenger Agent App: Allows document checks in only three seconds, enhancing speed and accuracy. Seamless Integration: Direct integration with airline DCS for real-time data reconciliation. Proactive Problem-Solving: Clear guidance for agents ensures speedy decision-making and efficient offload tracking. Efficiency and accuracy are not just goals in the world of high-stakes air travel; they are prerequisites. Ground handling teams remain pivotal in such smoothness of operation; nonetheless, challenges do arise, some of which have to deal with the verification of passenger travel documents. These may lead to delays, dissatisfaction of passengers, and at worst, costly penalties for inadmissible passengers, popularly known as INADs. That is where Matchbox enters with its cutting-edge ground handling solution to change the way travel documents are checked and processed. With the suite of innovative tools, including the Passenger Agent App by Matchbox, it means that not only does Matchbox automate the process of document checks but it also ensures 100% prevention of INADs. How this system revolutionizes passenger handling service and why it is considered the future of travel compliance. The Stakes: Why Ground Handling Efficiency Matters The total fines levied against airlines and cruise companies run to more than $200 million annually for passengers traveling without proper entry documentation. These INAD violations don’t just cut into the bottom line but create ripples in operations—from delayed flights and frustrated passengers to wasted hours in searching for luggage that must be offloaded. Ground handling teams bear much of this burden. They are responsible for navigating complex immigration regulations, validating various travel documents, and ensuring every passenger is cleared to board. It’s a process traditionally fraught with human error and inefficiency. Matchbox is different. Automation, real-time data, and predictive analytics, in a bundled offering, ensure that compliance is met right out the door while check-in and boarding processes are optimized to provide peace of mind for passenger and operator alike. Inside Matchbox: Innovation in Action Matchbox is not just a document verification system; it is a system-wide solution hand-crafted for the fast-paced airport and cruise terminal environments. Core features listed below show a focused approach toward speed, accuracy, and dependability: Real-Time Validation: Since Matchbox launched in March 2023, the company has validated over 1.7 million travel documents. Of those, 86% were completely automated—a fact that reduces manual errors and frees agents to provide exceptional customer service rather than administrative tasks. Passenger Agent App: At the heart of the Matchbox ground handling solution is the Passenger Agent App: an easy-to-use tool that equips passenger service agents to operate swift, reliable document checks in only three seconds. It handles passports, visas, and other travel documents with the utmost accuracy. Seamless Integration: Matchbox integrates directly into an airline’s DCS, providing real-time data reconciliation to ensure that passenger information is complete and accurate prior to boarding. Proactive Problem-Solving: Whether automating approvals or flagging special cases for manual review, Matchbox gives agents clear guidance that ensures speedy and savvy decision-making. Offload Tracking: Where needed, Matchbox smoothes the offload process with clear documentation and performance metrics. It has handled more than 1,700 offloads efficiently from its inception, minimizing disruption to overall operations. 100% INAD Prevention: A Bold Guarantee What really makes Matchbox unique, however, is its bold 100% INAD prevention guarantee—a promise underpinned by rigorous automation, comprehensive validations, and an innovative support system which assesses real-time exceptions. Even in cases of genuine INAD violations, where a passenger’s travel documents were valid at check-in but later considered inadmissible, Matchbox assumes full liability for any fines. That is how confident Checkport is in the system—and how unmatched the reassurance to airlines and ground handlers . A Better Passenger Experience After all, efficiency is not just an operational benefit; it directly impinges on the passengers. And that is not all: with Matchbox, passengers enjoy speedier check-ins, reduced wait times, and peace of mind from knowing their travel documents are in order before they reach the gate. An example of this is how Matchbox allows for pre-checks to be made in full coordination with online check-ins, where passengers can actually be confirmed in terms of document compliance even before they reach the airport. When they do finally arrive, those that get pre-cleared receive a security sticker for smooth processing. This proactive approach increases the passenger experience by reducing congestion at the counters and ensures movement is far smoother than before. The Bigger Picture Data-driven insights into Matchbox are not about solving immediate challenges but future-proofing operations. Its comprehensive performance tracking dashboard provides everything from key validation metrics to key performance indicators around transaction times and compliance rates. By analyzing that data, airlines and ground handling teams can find bottlenecks, make informed decisions, and continuously refine processes. All in all, this commitment to continuous improvement keeps Matchbox ahead in a constantly evolving industry. Partnerships for Success Matchbox joins forces with industry leaders like Swissport, Regula Forensics, and Cyberfish to keep the system at the top of the game both in terms of compliance and operational efficiency. Together, these partnerships and technologies form a proactive shield against INAD risks, helping airlines and ground handlers avoid fines, reduce costs, and enhance their competitive edge. A Look into the Future With the continued recovery and growth of the travel industry, there has never been a better time to call for more intelligent and effective solutions. Matchbox is one example of how innovation can answer some of the very real practical challenges in the industry. For airlines, ground handlers, and cruise companies alike, the adoption of tools like Matchbox isn’t about keeping up—it’s about staying ahead. Through automation of travel document control, smooth check-in, and advanced compliance, Matchbox is setting the standard for what the future of passenger handling will look like. The question is no longer whether automation is the way forward—just how quickly you can adopt it. With Matchbox leading from the front, the future of ground handling has already arrived. Related Items: Matchbox , Travel Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Black Friday Deals Are Here at Barceló Hotels: The Discounts You’ve Been Waiting For! 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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-americaJamie Dimon engages in policy talks with Donald Trump via secret back channels: Report
Photo: The Canadian Press Volunteers answer phone calls from around the world Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Christian Murdock /The Gazette via AP) The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. The origin story is Hollywood-esque It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Is the origin story humbug? Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” A rare addition to Santa’s story NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” Check out where Santa is via the live video below: Contributed Associated Press/NORAD
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Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story is a three-part Peacock docuseries, directed by Jamila Wignot, that examines the phenomenon of the Girls Gone Wild video series, which began with clips of drunk college girls bearing their chests to a camera, and eventually evolved into almost full-blown sex scenes. BuzzFeed journalist Scaachi Koul visited the video series’ creator, Joe Francis, at his Mexico home, where he has permanently taken up residence after running from assault charges in Florida. The audio from that interview — Francis refused to be interviewed on camera for the series — forms the basis of the show’s narrative. GIRLS GONE WILD: THE UNTOLD STORY : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? Opening Shot: Shots of Punta Mita, Mexico, where Joe Francis now lives as a fugitive. The Gist: The first episode goes into Francis’ background and how he started in the entertainment industry; his first job was on the series Real TV , and when he found that there was local news footage even that show wouldn’t air, he put that footage together in a video called Banned From Television . He sold the VHS tapes via late-night TV ads and made millions. He conceived of Girls Gone Wild when he saw footage of women baring themselves during Mardi Gras. The first videos were a hit, but licensing the footage became more difficult, so he had camera crews go to campuses and spring break locales, with announcements about their presence generating huge crowds and women very willing to doff their tops, especially if they’ve had a few drinks. After Howard Stern advertised the videos on his show, the already-strong sales took off, allowing Francis to make half-hour infomercials that flooded late-night television. The idea, according to Francis and other GGW staffers Wingot talked to, was to get “regular girls” to do something they never would otherwise. A couple of problems: Some of these girls were under 18, and others were so inebriated they had no idea what they were doing. Wingot also speaks to women who unwittingly found themselves featured in GGW ads or plastered on the covers of the tapes and DVDs, essentially branding them with labels they never wanted. What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Mainly because of Joe Francis’ inherent dudebro-ness, this docuseries gives us the same vibe as the various Fyre Festival docuseries , though at the very least Francis had a real product that made him a lot of money. Our Take: Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story is somewhat hampered by the fact that the only current interview with Francis is via Koul’s audio recordings. While it’s good that they’re there, and Wingot supplements them by placing his words front and center on the screen, we don’t get to see his mannerisms or any other non-verbal reactions. Given how much of the docuseries revolves around his mostly-arrogant interview responses, there’s a whole lot of time where there’s generic b-roll and text on the screen. The first episode ends with how, in 2003 Francis got into his legal situation, running afoul of the very colorful Lee Sullivan, the former mayor and chief of police of Panama City Beach, Florida. There will also be lawsuits and the 2011 assault charges that led Francis to run to Mexico. But even though the episode mostly talks about the rise of Francis and GGW , it still doesn’t look favorably on the phenomenon he created. As Koul stated, a lot of what we see today on social media and sites like OnlyFans was made possible by GGW ‘s success. But at its heart, Francis and his film crews took advantage of women who were either too young or in no state to resist. The interviews with two women who found themselves featured in GGW ads or video covers are presented in a way that neither blames them or makes us pity them; they made mistakes that came back to haunt them in ways that far outstripped their momentary lapses of reason. But their interviews are a good view of exactly how these film crews were persistent until they got the footage they wanted. Sex and Skin: Not as much as you’d think; all of the shots from the videos are pixelated. Parting Shot: “He was going to get arrested. He seemed to be the only person who didn’t realize it,” says one of the experts about Francis’ time in Panama City. Sleeper Star: Oh, it’s definitely Lee Sullivan, especially when he says the line, “Joe Francis. What a miserable little shit. I’d pinch that little shit’s head off and crap down his neck if I could.” Most Pilot-y Line: As we mentioned above, the audio-only Joe Francis interview footage is better than nothing, but certainly doesn’t make for the most dynamic visual element of the series. Our Call: STREAM IT. You may have watched a GGW video or two, or you may have seen the ads and thought, “who cares?”, but either way, you’ll be fascinated with Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story as it details the rise and fall of Joe Francis and his skeevy video series. Joel Keller ( @joelkeller ) writes about food, entertainment, parenting and tech, but he doesn’t kid himself: he’s a TV junkie. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Slate, Salon, RollingStone.com , VanityFair.com , Fast Company and elsewhere.CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two New Hampshire fathers who were barred from school district events for wearing pink wristbands marked “XX” to represent female chromosomes insisted at a federal court hearing Thursday that they didn't set out to harass or otherwise target a transgender soccer player at the game they attended. But a judge hearing the case suggested the message the parents sent may matter more than their intentions. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. ___ Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Related From Our PartnerTurkish Airlines to Begin Operations at The New Terminal One at JFK and Unveil World-Class Lounge
HBAR's breakout from the descending channel signaled a potential trend reversal and golden cross Rising social dominance and Open Interest alluded to market confidence At the time of writing Hedera [HBAR] was trading at $0.1703, up 14.60% in the last 24 hours, with a remarkable 234% hike in trading volume to $1.63 billion. This surge followed a significant breakout from a descending channel and the formation of a golden cross – Both bullish indicators. With HBAR nearing a key resistance at $0.188, traders are asking – Can it break through this level and trigger a rally towards $0.27? Breaking the downtrend – Is HBAR ready for more? HBAR's chart revealed a clear breakout from a long-standing descending channel, signaling a potential shift in market sentiment. After months of downtrend, this move indicated that HBAR could be reversing its bearish trajectory. The breakout is particularly significant, especially as it aligns with the formation of a golden cross – A well-known bullish pattern. Therefore, the next key challenge is the resistance at $0.188. A breakout here could confirm a trend reversal and pave the... Erastus ChamiA small asteroid was visible in northern Siberia on Tuesday, as it closed in on its collision course with Earth. It's first of two expected flybys this week. The European Space Agency issued an alert for the 27-inch asteroid at 4:27 a.m. ET, with the agency saying the celestial rock would create a visible fireball in the sky but that "the impact will be harmless." The asteroid, temporarily named C0WEPC5, has become Earth's fourth detected asteroid strike of the year and just the 11th of all time. Detected strikes are known as "imminent impactors," according to the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, which identified the fast-moving asteroid ahead of its arrival. The space rock entered Earth's atmosphere at 11:15 a.m. ET over Yakutia in northeastern Siberia, creating a massive fireball witnessed by people in the region, according to the agency. Video posted to social media on Tuesday shows the bright, fast-moving fireball darting through the sky before dissipating. It's currently unknown how much, if any, of the asteroid debris landed on Earth. Flyby asteroids are common, and astronomers' ability to detect them has rapidly increased with technological advancements. According to NASA , 132 known asteroids have passed closer to Earth than the moon is since October 2023. Overall, there have been upward of 36,000 asteroid flybys, the agency reported. Adding to the solar system show this week, another asteroid, known as 2020 XR, will fly by Earth at 12:27 a.m. ET on Wednesday, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory . Significantly larger but much farther away from impact than Tuesday's asteroid, 2020 XR is approximately 1,200 feet in diameter -- roughly the same as the height of New York City's Empire State Building -- but will pass Earth at a comfortable distance of 1.37 million miles, according to NASA. While the massive asteroid will unlikely have any impact, and is not considered a threat by officials, NASA designates any object that comes within 4.6 million miles of Earth as "potentially hazardous."