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BBC / Jon Parker LeeGeorge and Mandy are among the residents who refused to sign an NDA agreement and can speak about the Runcorn incinerator“We have been inundated with flies, rats, smell, noise. It's just been horrendous,” says Mandy Royle, who lives in the closest home to the UK’s biggest waste incinerator at Runcorn in Cheshire.
The facility generates electricity from burning nearly a million tonnes of household rubbish every year – but much of that waste doesn't come from Ms Royle's local area. Like many incinerators, deliveries come from hundreds of miles away.
BBC analysis suggests the burden of the UK's waste is disproportionately falling on deprived areas such as Runcorn, which are 10 times more likely to have an energy-from-waste incinerator in their midst than in the wealthiest areas.
Burning rubbish now UK’s dirtiest form of power

On October 9th, the Public Security Bureau of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture addressed a troubling incident that recently surfaced on social media. A user had claimed to be “scammed at Kunming Changshui Airport.” After a thorough investigation, authorities confirmed the allegations were accurate. Officer Chen, who had been dispatched from the Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture to support airport operations, was found to have acted independently in conducting what he termed a “registration” and collecting fees. Consequently, Officer Chen has been suspended from his duties, and the case has been forwarded to the disciplinary inspection and supervision department for further review and action.

A recent report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams has accepted political donations from businessmen connected to the Adams bribery case. Many progressive Democrats view Williams as a potential candidate for acting mayor. In light of these allegations, a spokesperson for Williams characterized the donations as “routine interactions” with the community.

City election finance records show that earlier this year, Williams’s re-election campaign received a $5,000 contribution from Tolib Mansurov, a contractor based in Brooklyn, along with his employees. This isn’t the first time Mansurov has backed Williams; two years ago, he donated $10,000 during Williams’s unsuccessful primary bid for governor against Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2022.

Mansurov has been identified as “Businessman 4” in the recent federal indictment related to the Adams bribery case, although he has yet to face any criminal charges. The indictment alleges that Mansurov provided illegal compensation to four employees, guiding each to contribute $2,000 to Adams’s mayoral campaign. Notably, Mansurov himself made a $2,000 donation as well.

As an Uzbek-American, Mansurov has successfully organized events that celebrate his ethnic community’s cultural heritage, receiving support from Adams and his aides. The indictment also alleges that Adams intervened to lift a stop-work order on one of Mansurov’s construction projects, issued by the city’s Department of Buildings.

Williams’s spokesperson emphasized that his interactions with Mansurov are typical within the Uzbek community and stated, “We are unaware of any impropriety in his contributions to the mayor and have no reason to suspect any wrongdoing regarding the public advocate’s donations.”

In March, Williams partnered with Mansurov’s nonprofit organization, the Silk Road Foundation, to co-host a Ramadan breaking fast dinner, where Williams expressed his gratitude for Mansurov’s support during his speech.

Last week, Adams was charged with bribery and election fraud but has maintained his innocence. While some Democrats and political opponents are urging him to resign, Adams insists he will remain in office. As the public advocate since 2019, Williams holds a limited but significant role in overseeing city governance. According to the city charter, if the mayor were to resign or be removed from office, Williams would temporarily assume the mayoralty until a new election occurs.

The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller’s, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global.
BOSTON – As we await the verdict in the “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump, political observers wonder how it might affect the outcome of the presidential race. Guilty or not guilty? And will it matter either way when the voting starts this fall?
Poll: Majority of undecided voters think Trump is guiltyA recent Suffolk University/USA Today poll found a solid majority of undecided voters think the former president is guilty of some or all of the charges. But Trump has planted a thriving crop of doubt among those same voters, repeatedly telling them “I’m being forced to sit for days on end in a kangaroo courtroom with a corrupt and conflicted judge.”
Nearly four in ten say the trial is fair, but the rest either say it isn’t or are undecided about that. “Donald Trump has positioned himself to win in either scenario,” said Dave Paleologos, head of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. “He’s been talking about a corrupt judge and an unfair trial, and if he’s found guilty he’ll say, ‘See, I told you so.’ And if he’s acquitted he will say, ‘I told you so.'”
And whatever the verdict, there are more than five months to go before Election Day, an eternity in politics.

“Trump is still going to be campaigning, holding rallies, doing speeches and appealing the decision,” noted Paleologos. “So in the eyes of the voting public, he’s still active, he’s still pursuing it, it’s similar to an impeachment. You’re impeached and then you move on.”
Would the undecided voter really go for a convicted felon in the fall?”If their personal situation is that dire, they can’t pay their bills and their life is much worse than it was four years ago, then it may not matter who the candidate is, they may just want to vote the people in office out,” said Paleologos.
While this situation is unprecedented in many ways, it is reminiscent of 1992, when Bill Clinton unseated President George H.W. Bush. Clinton had sex scandal baggage, but Bush was blamed for the faltering economy. And a third-party candidate named Ross Perot took a lot of votes from Bush in key states. In that recent Suffolk poll, Bobby Kennedy Jr. supporters were more than twice as likely as those undecided voters to view the Trump trial as unfair.
So you wonder if some of them might wind up rallying around Trump.

Recently, the NYPD issued a warning to the Chinese community in Sunset Park, particularly targeting elderly women, about the rise in scams orchestrated by a group known as the “Fortune-Offering Gang.” In different time frames and neighborhoods, the tactics used by scammers continue to evolve, creating an ongoing concern for residents.

The 72nd Precinct, which covers the heavily populated Chinese neighborhood in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, released an announcement urging residents to be cautious of these scammers. According to police, the gang consists of Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking women, typically in their 30s to 40s. They often work in small groups and deceive individuals by claiming they can perform rituals to ward off misfortune and protect their families. The police reported that many Chinese women, particularly the elderly, have fallen victim to this deceit, losing money and jewelry in the process.

Authorities emphasize the importance of not trusting anyone who claims they can magically solve problems or alleviate misfortunes. Residents are advised to never hand over their belongings to strangers. Furthermore, should anyone experience similar incidents, they are encouraged to discuss them with family members and report any scams to the police immediately.

In a related alert, the 120th Precinct, which serves the northern areas of Staten Island with a significant Chinese population, recently warned residents about “donation scams.” Officers advised vigilance if approached on the street by individuals soliciting donations for various organizations, sports teams, schools, or charitable events. Scammers often request payments through apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, and may ask for the donor’s phone number when entering their information. While the would-be donors are distracted, the fraudsters could swiftly transfer large sums of money from their bank accounts into their own.

The police urge potential donors to never share their phone numbers with strangers, to set transfer limits when using financial apps, and to promptly call 911 if they suspect they have been scammed.

On October 18th, the Chinese official news agency reported significant developments in the bribery case involving Tang Yijun, the former Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial Political Consultative Conference. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has decided to arrest Tang on charges of suspected bribery, and the investigation is ongoing.

Tang Yijun, born in March 1961 in Juxian County, Shandong, has held various positions throughout his career in Zhejiang and Liaoning. He served as the Minister of Justice and became the Secretary of the Jiangxi Provincial Political Consultative Conference in 2023. In April of this year, he was placed under investigation.

On October 7th, authorities announced that Tang Yijun had been expelled from the Communist Party and removed from public office due to serious disciplinary violations. He is accused of exhibiting a blatant disregard for laws and regulations, treating his public power as a means for personal gain, engaging in corrupt transactions, and leveraging his official position for the benefit of others in areas like business operations, company listings, personnel promotions, and case management, while illegally accepting significant amounts of money and valuables.

Further allegations against Tang include resisting organizational investigations, repeatedly accepting inappropriate banquets and travel arrangements, using his authority during the personnel selection process for others’ gain, improperly interfering in market and judicial activities, and failing to manage and educate his spouse appropriately.

In a recent livestream event on a popular platform, a male host, who claims to help resolve issues related to family, marriage, and relationships, emotionally counseled a viewer expressing her distress. Moved by the host’s guidance, the viewer offered to sell her jade at a discount to his fans in gratitude. Encouraged by the host, viewers quickly jumped at the opportunity, including Wang Ting’s mother from Jiangxi, who has reportedly spent over 100,000 yuan after two years of devotion to this host, only to receive low-quality items in return.

Wang Ting shared with The Legal Daily that her mother has become almost obsessed with this host, and despite her attempts to intervene, her mother remains unwavering in her belief that the host is benevolent. Similarly, Zhang Jian from Shanghai expressed his frustration over his father, who after retiring, became captivated by livestreams and ended up losing 500,000 yuan of his pension to a female host, all while he was guided through the gifting process.

Both Wang Ting and Zhang Jian are navigating the difficult path of seeking justice for their elderly parents. They face the challenge of not only dealing with the financial losses but also helping their parents overcome the addiction to the livestreams that have ensnared them. While platforms have mechanisms to prevent minors from making unauthorized purchases, there are no such protections in place for elderly users, which has raised concerns among families.

Experts suggest that older individuals are drawn into these livestreams partly due to their quest for emotional support, exacerbated by loneliness and the lack of protective measures on the platforms. It is essential for families to provide care and for platforms to enhance supervision, particularly aimed at vulnerable seniors who may not have the cognitive capacity to make sound judgments.

Wang Ting described her mother’s idolization of the host, who streams daily to provide supposed solutions to viewers’ problems. Many elderly women, like Wang’s mother, found themselves connecting on an emotional level, and it became increasingly difficult for them to recognize the exploitative tactics used by the host.

Zhang Jian pointed out that his father’s deep admiration for the host made him unable to see the manipulation at play. The host employed tactics that altered his father’s perspective, leading him to believe he was helping the host by gifting her money. Zhang described how the situation escalated to a point where his father’s previously frugal nature vanished, replaced by reckless spending on unnecessary gifts.

In interviews, both children expressed their desire to protect their parents, yet they recognize the challenge of breaking this cycle of dependency. As these adults attempt to advocate for their parents’ rights, they also confront the emotional pain of being misunderstood, with elders often seeing their children’s attempts to intervene as obstacles to their happiness.

Legal experts have commented on the lack of protections for elderly users, emphasizing that while there are laws regarding minors and those unable to make informed decisions, older adults fall into a gray area. This highlights the urgent need for platforms to establish refund mechanisms for those who have been misled, underscoring the importance of social responsibility in preventing exploitation.

Both Wang Ting and Zhang Jian are hopeful for solutions that will not only help retrieve lost funds but also reintegrate their parents into healthier lifestyles. They emphasize that the addiction to these livestreams is more than just a financial issue; it is a complex social problem rooted in a lack of companionship and support from family.

As the conversation around this issue continues to grow, advocates for elderly rights call for stricter regulations on platforms promoting these types of interactions, particularly those that involve emotional manipulation and financial exploitation.

On October 24, the Intermediate People’s Court of Luoyang in Henan Province held a public trial regarding the bribery case of former Shanxi Provincial Deputy Secretary Shang Ligaung. This information was reported by the Supreme People’s Court of China.

Shang Ligaung, born in November 1963 in Julu, Hebei, worked in Hebei for many years before his appointment in Shanxi in June 2017. He was placed under investigation in September 2023, resulting in a public announcement regarding his removal from the Party and public office by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission earlier this February. Allegations against him include violations of discipline and law, as well as engaging in transactions involving power and money.

The Luoyang People’s Procuratorate has accused Shang Ligaung of leveraging his various positions—ranging from Deputy Secretary of the Hebei Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection to the Deputy Secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee—between 1999 and 2023. He is alleged to have offered help to specific entities and individuals in areas such as business operations, project contracts, case handling, and personnel promotions. In return, he reportedly accepted bribes totaling over 104 million yuan, either directly or through intermediaries. The prosecution has filed for criminal charges against Shang Ligaung for bribery.

During the trial, Shang Ligaung made his final statement, expressing his guilt and remorse. The court has announced that it will adjourn and deliver its verdict at a later date.

In an exclusive interview, former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney expressed her hopes for rebuilding the Republican Party after Donald Trump exits the political arena. She isn’t alone in this sentiment; former Utah Senator and presidential nominee Mitt Romney shares a similar vision.

Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland who is currently running for a U.S. Senate seat in a Trump-led GOP, emphasized his belief that a post-Trump Republican Party is possible. “Many people are frustrated with the party’s current direction, and some have thrown in the towel,” Hogan told us. “We need to stand up and reclaim the Republican Party, steering it back toward a broader, more inclusive vision—think Reagan’s party—that can win elections again.”

Michael Steele, the former chair of the Republican National Committee and now an MSNBC host, advocated for more radical measures. “We need to dismantle this chaotic party structure and restore rationality to it; otherwise, something completely different will emerge,” Steele asserted. He pointed out that Hogan could play a pivotal role in whatever unfolds, citing other key figures who have resisted the Trump influence, including Cheney, former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, and Joe Walsh. “We’ve been sidelined, but we’ll have a voice in what happens on November 6,” he added, referring to the day after the upcoming election where Trump will face Kamala Harris.

The outcome of that election will be consequential. If Trump wins, the future of the party remains uncertain. If he loses, the more traditional Republicans, often labeled as “never Trumpers,” may attempt to reclaim their party. Reed Galen, a co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project and an adviser to George W. Bush and John McCain, has a stark perspective on the challenges ahead. “It might take between six to ten years to definitively shift the MAGA influence in the party,” Galen stated. He noted that 85% of Republican primary voters in the current cycle supported Trump, suggesting a significant challenge for anyone seeking to unseat his faction.

While Galen sees possible erosion of Trump’s influence following a loss, he doubts it will dip below 50%. “Those who identify as diehard or MAGA Republicans aren’t looking to return to the days of John McCain or Mitt Romney,” he explained. He emphasized that the current establishment will need to undertake significant work to address the anti-democratic elements within their ranks. “Based on their track record, I’m not convinced they are willing to do that. They might focus on survival, hoping that this phase burns out on its own.”

Cheney has gone the furthest in her efforts, even campaigning for Harris in key states. Romney has taken a more subdued approach, which some analysts, like Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, label “genuinely insane.” She criticized Romney’s reluctance to endorse Kamala Harris, arguing that the Trump faction’s hold is too significant for such passivity to be effective.

Cheney has even hinted at the potential need to create a new right-wing party, citing the Republican Party’s collaboration with an “unstable” leader. However, this endeavor would be fraught with challenges, especially considering how effectively right-wing donors and advocacy groups capitalized on Trump’s political capital.

Galen described the entrenched nature of far-right forces within the party, including heavyweights like the Heritage Foundation and dark money networks. “These groups have spent decades and billions building their influence. They’re not going to just back off and let the establishment reclaim its party,” he noted.

Emerging leaders like Ohio Senator J.D. Vance are also navigating this tricky landscape. Though Vance once opposed Trump, he has since aligned himself closely with the former president’s inner circle. “There’s a shared secret among some younger Republicans that they want Trump to lose, not just for the party’s future but so they can launch their own ambitions,” Galen pointed out.

He acknowledged, however, the difficulty these younger figures will face in completely disassociating from Trump. “Even if he loses, they will still struggle to break free from the legacy he leaves behind,” he said, underscoring the deep-rooted nature of this political transformation.

As for the Republican establishment’s fight for reclamation, Galen believes spending time pondering its potential is futile. He characterized Cheney, Hogan, and Romney as “dinosaurs of the Republican Party,” suggesting they are products of a bygone era amid a transformative moment.

Reflecting on a recent debate he participated in, Galen shared a sobering exchange with a young Trump supporter who said, “We killed your party, and we couldn’t be happier about it.” Summarizing his concerns, Galen remarked, “The Republican Party has become a nationalist, nativist entity. All the tenets I grew up valuing—like fiscal responsibility and individual liberty—have vanished.”

Late-night hosts discussed Harris’s Fox News interview and ridiculed her opponent’s performance at a Miami town hall
Guardian staffFri 18 Oct 2024 10.25 EDTLast modified on Fri 18 Oct 2024 10.48 EDTShareLate-night hosts touched upon Kamala Harris’s treatment during an interview on Fox News and were baffled by Donald Trump’s inability to answer a question during a town hall with undecided Latino voters.
Jimmy KimmelOn Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host told viewers they were “18 days from the election and 95 days from our next insurrection” and that Trump continues to boast a great deal of support for “reasons I can’t begin to fathom”.
He said that the former president has a “commanding lead in the annoying emails department” with the New York Times reporting that since he entered the race in November 2022, his campaign has sent 7,400 emails asking for money.
Kimmel on Trump’s all-women Fox News town hall: ‘North Korea level propaganda’Read moreKimmel said that Trump was “all over the place right now both literally and figuratively” with many appearances on carefully picked male podcasts. “None of these guys spend a minute pushing back on his nonsense,” the host complained.
He also appeared at a Univision town hall in Miami for undecided Latino voters who “for once put this nutjob on the spot”.
Kimmel played his rambling answers as proof that the same things Republicans claimed were happening to Joe Biden with increased age were “clearly happening to Donald Trump”.
He added: “How much garbage are his followers supposed to swallow?”
When asked about climate change, Trump bragged about the many environmental awards he has received. “Let’s see those awards,” Kimmel said.
The host moved on to reports that Trump’s campaign tried to offer a second hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels over the summer. He said that is “a lot of money to pay a person you didn’t have sex with to not tell people you didn’t have sex with”.
Kimmel joked that Melania Trump now “hates him more than she hates Christmas”.
Stephen ColbertOn The Late Show, Stephen Colbert said that when it comes to the US, we are “rapidly approaching what could be its series finale”.
He spoke of Harris’s interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, saying she “entered the belly of the beast and then cut her way out with a rusty spoon”.
Colbert said that Baier performs for “an audience of one” given previous allegations of him trying to suppress election results that could offend Trump.
Baier asked Harris about her complaints over Trump threatening to use the military against American citizens, yet played a carefully edited clip that didn’t show what he really said. “Maybe he couldn’t see the clips because his eyes are two dehydrated blueberries,” Colbert said.
He added: “It’s like if you only watch the first 10 minutes of Jurassic Park, you’d think that place looks like a lot of fun.”
Baier also tried to “trap Harris with the stupidest gotcha this side of the Rio Grande” asking her why Trump has so much support if he is as bad as she says he is, asking her if she thinks his followers are stupid.
“No they’re not stupid Bret, they’ve just been watching your network and you feed them lies,” Colbert said.