WASHINGTON (AP) —The human species has topped 8 billion, with longer lifespans offsetting fewer births, but world population growth continues a long-term trend of slowing down, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/growth-population-demographics-race-hispanic-f563ebc4537f83792f3f91ba5d7cdade" target="_blank">U.S. Census Bureau</a>&nbsp;said Thursday.

The bureau estimates the global population exceeded the threshold Sept. 26, a precise date the agency said to take with a grain of salt.

The United Nations estimated the number was passed 10 months earlier, having declared November 22, 2022, the “Day of 8 Billion,” the Census Bureau pointed out in a statement.

The discrepancy is due to countries counting people differently — or not at all. Many lack systems to record births and deaths. Some of the most populous countries, such as India and Nigeria, haven’t conducted censuses in over a decade, according to the bureau.

While world population growth remains brisk, growing from 6 billion to 8 billion since the turn of the millennium, the rate has slowed since doubling between 1960 and 2000.

People living to older ages account for much of the recent increase. The global median age, now 32, has been rising in a trend expected to continue toward 39 in 2060.

Countries such as Canada have been aging with declining older-age mortality, while countries such as Nigeria have seen dramatic declines in deaths of children under 5.

Fertility rates, or the rate of births per woman of childbearing age, are meanwhile declining, falling below replacement level in much of the world and contributing to a more than 50-year trend, on average, of slimmer increases in population growth.

The minimum number of such births necessary to replace both the father and mother for neutral world population is 2.1, demographers say. Almost three-quarters of people now live in countries with fertility rates around or below that level.

Countries with fertility rates around replacement level include India, Tunisia and Argentina.

About 15% of people live in places with fertility rates below replacement level. Countries with low fertility rates include Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. and Sweden, while those with very low fertility rates include China, South Korea and Spain.

Israel, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea rank among countries with higher-than-replacement fertility rates of up to 5. Such countries have almost one-quarter of the world’s population.

Only about 4% of the world’s population lives in countries with fertility rates above 5. All are in Africa.

Global fertility rates are projected to decline at least through 2060, with no country projected to have a rate higher than 4 by then, according to the bureau.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560272142634.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The human species has topped 8 billion, with longer lifespans offsetting fewer births, but world population growth continues a long-term trend of slowing down, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/growth-population-demographics-race-hispanic-f563ebc4537f83792f3f91ba5d7cdade" target="_blank">U.S. Census Bureau</a>&nbsp;said Thursday.The bureau estimates the global population exceeded the threshold Sept. 26, a precise date the agency said to take with a grain of salt.The United Nations estimated the number was passed 10 months earlier, having declared November 22, 2022, the “Day of 8 Billion,” the Census Bureau pointed out in a statement.The discrepancy is due to countries counting people differently — or not at all. Many lack systems to record births and deaths. Some of the most populous countries, such as India and Nigeria, haven’t conducted censuses in over a decade, according to the bureau.While world population growth remains brisk, growing from 6 billion to 8 billion since the turn of the millennium, the rate has slowed since doubling between 1960 and 2000.People living to older ages account for much of the recent increase. The global median age, now 32, has been rising in a trend expected to continue toward 39 in 2060.Countries such as Canada have been aging with declining older-age mortality, while countries such as Nigeria have seen dramatic declines in deaths of children under 5.Fertility rates, or the rate of births per woman of childbearing age, are meanwhile declining, falling below replacement level in much of the world and contributing to a more than 50-year trend, on average, of slimmer increases in population growth.The minimum number of such births necessary to replace both the father and mother for neutral world population is 2.1, demographers say. Almost three-quarters of people now live in countries with fertility rates around or below that level.Countries with fertility rates around replacement level include India, Tunisia and Argentina.About 15% of people live in places with fertility rates below replacement level. Countries with low fertility rates include Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. and Sweden, while those with very low fertility rates include China, South Korea and Spain.Israel, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea rank among countries with higher-than-replacement fertility rates of up to 5. Such countries have almost one-quarter of the world’s population.Only about 4% of the world’s population lives in countries with fertility rates above 5. All are in Africa.Global fertility rates are projected to decline at least through 2060, with no country projected to have a rate higher than 4 by then, according to the bureau.

Feeling crowded? World’s population has passed 8 billion

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY — An inmate escaped from a satellite camp at the Leavenworth Penitentiary, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Just after 4p.m., authorities discovered&nbsp; 50-year-old James Thompson was missing.

Thompson is described as white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He’s 6-foot-2 and weighs approximately 202 pounds.

U.S. Marshals and the FBI have been informed that he’s missing from the minimum security facility Thompson was sentenced to 80 months in prison in the Northern District of Georgia for mail fraud.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699585891299.png" alt="Thompson photo U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH COUNTY — An inmate escaped from a satellite camp at the Leavenworth Penitentiary, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Just after 4p.m., authorities discovered&nbsp; 50-year-old James Thompson was missing.Thompson is described as white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He’s 6-foot-2 and weighs approximately 202 pounds.U.S. Marshals and the FBI have been informed that he’s missing from the minimum security facility Thompson was sentenced to 80 months in prison in the Northern District of Georgia for mail fraud.

Search continues for escaped inmate from a satellite camp at Kan. penitentiary 

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The two U.S. senators from Kansas introduced legislation to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Kansas City, Kansas, in honor of the late War II and Korean war veteran Elwin Shopteese of the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation.

Shopteese, who was born in Mayetta, enlisted in the Kansas National Guard after graduating from high school. He participated in battles in Europe, including the invasion of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge. He earned a battlefield commission for combat leadership on Omaha Beach, was presented the Purple Heart and Bronze Star and was promoted to captain in the U.S. Army.

“In recognition of Captain Shopteese’s service for our country and his service to the Native American community upon his return home, this legislation will help honor his legacy and preserve his story for generations to come,” said U.S. Sen Jerry Moran, a Republican.

Shopteese, who died in June 1992, attended the predecessor of Haskell Indian Nations University before serving in the Korean War.

He was as a Tribal Council member and served as executive director of the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home.

The bill sponsored by Moran and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, also a Republican, would designate the clinic opened in 2022 on Parallel Parkway in Kansas City as the Captain Elwin Shopteese Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. The facility&nbsp;offers primary care and specialty health services to veterans, including mental health care and laboratory services.

“Captain Shopteese lived a life of unwavering service to Kansas and America,” Marshall said. “He exemplified bravery and patriotism to our great nation. I am proud to work with Senator Moran to ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come and honor his heroism by naming the Kansas City outpatient clinic after him.”

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The two U.S. senators from Kansas introduced legislation to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Kansas City, Kansas, in honor of the late War II and Korean war veteran Elwin Shopteese of the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Introduced legislation with <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a> to name the Kansas City VA Clinic after Captain Elwin Shopteese - a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation who served in WWII. This legislation will honor his legacy and help preserve his story for generations to come. <a href="https://t.co/Luk80T9cSt">pic.twitter.com/Luk80T9cSt</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1722637213136027962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Shopteese, who was born in Mayetta, enlisted in the Kansas National Guard after graduating from high school. He participated in battles in Europe, including the invasion of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge. He earned a battlefield commission for combat leadership on Omaha Beach, was presented the Purple Heart and Bronze Star and was promoted to captain in the U.S. Army.“In recognition of Captain Shopteese’s service for our country and his service to the Native American community upon his return home, this legislation will help honor his legacy and preserve his story for generations to come,” said U.S. Sen Jerry Moran, a Republican.Shopteese, who died in June 1992, attended the predecessor of Haskell Indian Nations University before serving in the Korean War.He was as a Tribal Council member and served as executive director of the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home.The bill sponsored by Moran and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, also a Republican, would designate the clinic opened in 2022 on Parallel Parkway in Kansas City as the Captain Elwin Shopteese Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. The facility&nbsp;offers primary care and specialty health services to veterans, including mental health care and laboratory services.“Captain Shopteese lived a life of unwavering service to Kansas and America,” Marshall said. “He exemplified bravery and patriotism to our great nation. I am proud to work with Senator Moran to ensure his legacy lives on for generations to come and honor his heroism by naming the Kansas City outpatient clinic after him.”

Senators seek to name Kansas VA clinic for Prairie Band tribe member

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to jail for admitting to sexual battery of women while working as a&nbsp;massage therapist.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Zachary Alan Sample, 33, Belle Plaine, pleaded&nbsp;as charged&nbsp;to four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery and agreed to a two-year jail sentence, according to the Sedgwick Count District attorney's office. Judge Tyler Roush followed the recommendation.

On May 23, 2022. police received a report from a 38-year-old woman that a male massage therapist had sexually assaulted her during a massage at an East Wichita massage establishment, according to Office Trevor Macy.

The suspect was identified as Zachary Sample who was an employee of the business at that time.

Two additional victims – a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman – reported being sexually assaulted by Sample during the month of May.

After extensive follow-up by detectives, a warrant was issued for Sample’s arrest through the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police located and arrested Sample on the warrant.

&nbsp;The massage establishment where the crimes were alleged to have happened&nbsp; cooperated with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659732152030.png" alt="Sample-photo Sedgwick County." />
 <figcaption>Sample-photo Sedgwick County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to jail for admitting to sexual battery of women while working as a&nbsp;massage therapist.&nbsp;&nbsp;Zachary Alan Sample, 33, Belle Plaine, pleaded&nbsp;as charged&nbsp;to four counts of misdemeanor sexual battery and agreed to a two-year jail sentence, according to the Sedgwick Count District attorney's office. Judge Tyler Roush followed the recommendation.On May 23, 2022. police received a report from a 38-year-old woman that a male massage therapist had sexually assaulted her during a massage at an East Wichita massage establishment, according to Office Trevor Macy.The suspect was identified as Zachary Sample who was an employee of the business at that time.Two additional victims – a 29-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman – reported being sexually assaulted by Sample during the month of May.After extensive follow-up by detectives, a warrant was issued for Sample’s arrest through the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police located and arrested Sample on the warrant.&nbsp;The massage establishment where the crimes were alleged to have happened&nbsp; cooperated with the investigation.

Jail time after Kansas massage therapy clients reported him

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 10:30p.m.&nbsp;Thursday an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle near U.S. 73 and Woodlawn Avenue in Atchison for an alleged traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 The driver of the vehicle later identified as 68-year-old Randall Gilliland of Atchison was found to be driving while suspended and subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Police arrested him on requested charges of driving while suspended, improper driving on laned highway, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Gilliland has eight previous felony convictions for burglary and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. Police in Atchison arrested him in July on drug and motor vehicle and parole violation allegations, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699626767510.png" alt="Gilliland-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Gilliland-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 10:30p.m.&nbsp;Thursday an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle near U.S. 73 and Woodlawn Avenue in Atchison for an alleged traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. The driver of the vehicle later identified as 68-year-old Randall Gilliland of Atchison was found to be driving while suspended and subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.Police arrested him on requested charges of driving while suspended, improper driving on laned highway, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Gilliland has eight previous felony convictions for burglary and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. Police in Atchison arrested him in July on drug and motor vehicle and parole violation allegations, according to online jail records.

Kansas felon caught transporting meth

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at the Independence Center Mall, 18801 East 39th Street S. Independence, Missouri, according to a social media report from police.

Just before 2:30p.m. Friday police responded to a shooting call at the 39th Street entrance of the Mall.

First responders located four shooting victims.  It appears those victims were shot inside the mall.  Those victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.  One of those victims is in critical condition.  It appears that the shooting began when two groups of people encountered each other inside the mall.  It is still unclear what initiated the incident.  Three persons of interest have been taken into custody regarding the incident.&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating  a shooting at the Independence Center Mall, 18801 East 39th Street S, Independence, Missouri, according to a social media report from police.

 The situation is stable at this time. For those trying to pick up family, police established a location at the car wash on the northeast corner of the mall lot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699652250717.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at the Independence Center Mall, 18801 East 39th Street S. Independence, Missouri, according to a social media report from police.Just before 2:30p.m. Friday police responded to a shooting call at the 39th Street entrance of the Mall.First responders located four shooting victims. It appears those victims were shot inside the mall. Those victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment. One of those victims is in critical condition. It appears that the shooting began when two groups of people encountered each other inside the mall. It is still unclear what initiated the incident. Three persons of interest have been taken into custody regarding the incident.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.----------KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating a shooting at the Independence Center Mall, 18801 East 39th Street S, Independence, Missouri, according to a social media report from police. The situation is stable at this time. For those trying to pick up family, police established a location at the car wash on the northeast corner of the mall lot.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Police : 4 injured in shooting at KC-area shopping mall

TOPEKA —Kansas game wardens have issued an alert to waterfowl and Sandhill Crane Hunters.

According to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, hunters are encouraged to be extra vigilant this time of year due to the possible presence of endangered whooping cranes.

"Whooping cranes have been observed over the last week at several reservoirs and wetlands in Kansas. Please be cognizant of potential hunting area closures and reports; even if an area is not closed to hunting, whooping cranes might still be present."

"As always, practice safe and ethical hunting practices and know your target before taking a shot. Shooting a whooping crane is a federal offense which can lead to fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in prison."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699449717411.png" alt="photo KDW&amp;P" />
 <figcaption>photo KDW&amp;P</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Kansas game wardens have issued an alert to waterfowl and Sandhill Crane Hunters.According to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, hunters are encouraged to be extra vigilant this time of year due to the possible presence of endangered whooping cranes."Whooping cranes have been observed over the last week at several reservoirs and wetlands in Kansas. Please be cognizant of potential hunting area closures and reports; even if an area is not closed to hunting, whooping cranes might still be present.""As always, practice safe and ethical hunting practices and know your target before taking a shot. Shooting a whooping crane is a federal offense which can lead to fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in prison."

Game wardens alert hunters on Whooping cranes in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;will meet Wednesday in California for talks on trade,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taiwan">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;and managing fraught U.S.-Chinese relations in the first engagement between the leaders of the world's two biggest economies in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-indonesia-xi-jinping-government-and-politics-961bb4680962cc53b4375af3bcbc4927">a year</a>.

The White House has said for weeks that it anticipated Biden and Xi would meet on the sidelines of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation">the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit</a>&nbsp;in San Francisco, but negotiations went down to the eve of the gathering, which kicks off Saturday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement the leaders would discuss the “continued importance of maintaining open lines of communication” and how the they “can continue to responsibly manage competition and work together where our interests align, particularly on transnational challenges that affect the international community.”

China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday that Xi would attend APEC from Tuesday to Nov. 17 at Biden’s invitation and would take part in the U.S.-China summit.

Two senior Biden administration officials, who earlier briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said that the leaders would meet in the San Francisco Bay area but declined to offer further details because of security concerns. Thousands of protesters are expected to descend on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apec-summit-san-francisco-5182a80875c37ff69dade8ce50f25963">San Francisco</a>&nbsp;during the summit.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-china-biden-white-house-trade-04e57bc5256b3e71cb00b2d4ea1ae7d1">met on Thursday</a>&nbsp;in the San Francisco, the latest in a string of senior level engagements between the nations in recent months aimed at easing tensions. Yellen and He are set to continue talks on Friday.

The Biden-Xi meeting is not expected to lead to many, if any, major announcements, and differences between the two powers certainly won't be resolved. Instead, one official said, Biden is looking toward “managing the competition, preventing the downside risk of conflict and ensuring channels of communication are open.” The officials said they believed it would be Xi's first visit to San Francisco since he was a young Communist Party leader.

The agenda includes no shortage of difficult issues.

Differences in the already complicated U.S.-Chinese relationship have only sharpened in the last year, with Beijing bristling over new U.S. export controls on advanced technology; Biden ordering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">the shooting down</a>&nbsp;of a Chinese spy balloon after it traversed the continental United States; and Chinese anger over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-tsai-us-visit-china-warnings-updates-652813f8ce4d9804f372fd05ccaab435">a stopover</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen earlier this year, among other issues. China claims the island as its territory.

Biden will also likely press Xi on using China's influence on North Korea, during heightened anxiety over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-us-munitions-ukraine-war-7091eaba254b680888a9b1ec8a68135f">Pyongyang providing munitions to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its war in Ukraine.

The Democratic president is also expected to let Xi know that he would like China to use its burgeoning sway over Iran to make clear that Tehran or its proxies should not take action that could lead to expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Israel-Hamas war</a>. His administration believes the Chinese, a big buyer of Iranian oil, have considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.

Biden and Xi last met nearly a year ago on the sidelines of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-indonesia-xi-jinping-government-and-politics-961bb4680962cc53b4375af3bcbc4927">the Group of 20 summit</a>&nbsp;in Bali, Indonesia. In the nearly three-hour meeting, Biden objected directly to China’s ”coercive and increasingly aggressive actions” toward Taiwan and discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other issues. Xi stressed that "the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.”

The Chinese foreign ministry said this time Biden and Xi would focus on “in-depth communications on the strategic, overall and directional issues of the China-US relations as well as major issues concerning world peace and development."

Next week's meeting comes as the United States braces for a potentially bumpy year for U.S.-Chinese relations, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-politics-tsai-ing-wen-peace-db344d155e1b33b02a9ab18cc9e7e8de">Taiwan set to hold a presidential election</a>&nbsp;in January and the U.S. holding its own presidential election next November.

Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island’s decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step U.S. leaders say they don’t support. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-china-united-states-xi-jinping-taiwan-3055a4fba210ab6dd3d59c109ac9038e">the “One China” policy</a>, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it has maintained that Taipei is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific. Biden intends to reaffirm the U.S. wants no change in the status quo, one official said.

Disinformation experts testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disinformation-china-us-xinjiang-global-opinion-c9e033f22622841935a2b1bc1060c01b">have warned</a>&nbsp;that Beijing could aim to target the U.S., sowing discord that might influence election results at the local level, especially in districts with large numbers of Chinese-American voters.

The Biden administration has sought to make clear to the Chinese that any actions or interference in the 2024 election “would raise extremely strong concerns from our side,” according to one official.

The officials also noted that Biden is determined to restore military-to-military communications that Beijing largely withdrew from after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-asia-beijing-malaysia-a5a6acc391511c99b1b4c2d69e67b133">then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan</a>&nbsp;in August 2022.

All the while, the number of unsafe or provocative encounters involving the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked.

Last month, the U.S. military released a video of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">a Chinese fighter jet flying within 10 feet</a>&nbsp;(3 meters) of an American B-52 bomber over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident. Earlier that month, the Pentagon released footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that occurred in the last two years, part of a trend U.S. military officials call concerning.

Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the top U.S. military commander, told reporters in Tokyo on Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-china-military-top-general-e4e85c6f82a8fadbf3a5611bd6ee91d6">restoration of military-to-military contacts</a>&nbsp;is “hugely important” to “ensure there is no miscalculation” between the sides. He said he conveyed his desire to restart the dialogue in a letter to his Chinese counterpart.

The officials also said Biden would underscore U.S. commitment to the Philippines, following a recent episode in which Chinese ships&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">blocked and collided with two Filipino vessels</a>&nbsp;off a contested shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippines and other neighbors of China are resisting Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims over virtually the entire sea.

“I want to be very clear,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-australia-albanese-state-visit-b8b86f334f8107b2eb04ed96ddb9128b">Biden said in October</a>. "The United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is iron clad.”

Both sides appeared to be carefully considering security for the meeting, declining to publicize the venue of the much-anticipated talks.

Thousands of people protesting climate destruction, corporate practices, the Israel-Hamas war and other issues are expected to descend on San Francisco during the summit.

San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott said his department expects several protests a day but doesn't know which ones will materialize where and when. He said the city respects people’s right to mobilize peacefully but will not tolerate property destruction, violence or any other crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668436660078.png" alt="Two senior Biden administration officials, who earlier briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said that the leaders would meet in the San Francisco Bay area but declined to offer further details because of security concerns-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Two senior Biden administration officials, who earlier briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said that the leaders would meet in the San Francisco Bay area but declined to offer further details because of security concerns-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;will meet Wednesday in California for talks on trade,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taiwan">Taiwan</a>&nbsp;and managing fraught U.S.-Chinese relations in the first engagement between the leaders of the world's two biggest economies in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-indonesia-xi-jinping-government-and-politics-961bb4680962cc53b4375af3bcbc4927">a year</a>.The White House has said for weeks that it anticipated Biden and Xi would meet on the sidelines of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific-economic-cooperation">the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit</a>&nbsp;in San Francisco, but negotiations went down to the eve of the gathering, which kicks off Saturday.White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement the leaders would discuss the “continued importance of maintaining open lines of communication” and how the they “can continue to responsibly manage competition and work together where our interests align, particularly on transnational challenges that affect the international community.”China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday that Xi would attend APEC from Tuesday to Nov. 17 at Biden’s invitation and would take part in the U.S.-China summit.Two senior Biden administration officials, who earlier briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House, said that the leaders would meet in the San Francisco Bay area but declined to offer further details because of security concerns. Thousands of protesters are expected to descend on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apec-summit-san-francisco-5182a80875c37ff69dade8ce50f25963">San Francisco</a>&nbsp;during the summit.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-china-biden-white-house-trade-04e57bc5256b3e71cb00b2d4ea1ae7d1">met on Thursday</a>&nbsp;in the San Francisco, the latest in a string of senior level engagements between the nations in recent months aimed at easing tensions. Yellen and He are set to continue talks on Friday.The Biden-Xi meeting is not expected to lead to many, if any, major announcements, and differences between the two powers certainly won't be resolved. Instead, one official said, Biden is looking toward “managing the competition, preventing the downside risk of conflict and ensuring channels of communication are open.” The officials said they believed it would be Xi's first visit to San Francisco since he was a young Communist Party leader.The agenda includes no shortage of difficult issues.Differences in the already complicated U.S.-Chinese relationship have only sharpened in the last year, with Beijing bristling over new U.S. export controls on advanced technology; Biden ordering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">the shooting down</a>&nbsp;of a Chinese spy balloon after it traversed the continental United States; and Chinese anger over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-tsai-us-visit-china-warnings-updates-652813f8ce4d9804f372fd05ccaab435">a stopover</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen earlier this year, among other issues. China claims the island as its territory.Biden will also likely press Xi on using China's influence on North Korea, during heightened anxiety over an increased pace of ballistic missile tests by North Korea as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-us-munitions-ukraine-war-7091eaba254b680888a9b1ec8a68135f">Pyongyang providing munitions to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its war in Ukraine.The Democratic president is also expected to let Xi know that he would like China to use its burgeoning sway over Iran to make clear that Tehran or its proxies should not take action that could lead to expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Israel-Hamas war</a>. His administration believes the Chinese, a big buyer of Iranian oil, have considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.Biden and Xi last met nearly a year ago on the sidelines of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-indonesia-xi-jinping-government-and-politics-961bb4680962cc53b4375af3bcbc4927">the Group of 20 summit</a>&nbsp;in Bali, Indonesia. In the nearly three-hour meeting, Biden objected directly to China’s ”coercive and increasingly aggressive actions” toward Taiwan and discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other issues. Xi stressed that "the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations.”The Chinese foreign ministry said this time Biden and Xi would focus on “in-depth communications on the strategic, overall and directional issues of the China-US relations as well as major issues concerning world peace and development."Next week's meeting comes as the United States braces for a potentially bumpy year for U.S.-Chinese relations, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-politics-tsai-ing-wen-peace-db344d155e1b33b02a9ab18cc9e7e8de">Taiwan set to hold a presidential election</a>&nbsp;in January and the U.S. holding its own presidential election next November.Beijing sees official American contact with Taiwan as encouragement to make the island’s decades-old de facto independence permanent, a step U.S. leaders say they don’t support. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-china-united-states-xi-jinping-taiwan-3055a4fba210ab6dd3d59c109ac9038e">the “One China” policy</a>, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but it has maintained that Taipei is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific. Biden intends to reaffirm the U.S. wants no change in the status quo, one official said.Disinformation experts testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disinformation-china-us-xinjiang-global-opinion-c9e033f22622841935a2b1bc1060c01b">have warned</a>&nbsp;that Beijing could aim to target the U.S., sowing discord that might influence election results at the local level, especially in districts with large numbers of Chinese-American voters.The Biden administration has sought to make clear to the Chinese that any actions or interference in the 2024 election “would raise extremely strong concerns from our side,” according to one official.The officials also noted that Biden is determined to restore military-to-military communications that Beijing largely withdrew from after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-asia-beijing-malaysia-a5a6acc391511c99b1b4c2d69e67b133">then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan</a>&nbsp;in August 2022.All the while, the number of unsafe or provocative encounters involving the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked.Last month, the U.S. military released a video of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">a Chinese fighter jet flying within 10 feet</a>&nbsp;(3 meters) of an American B-52 bomber over the South China Sea, nearly causing an accident. Earlier that month, the Pentagon released footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that occurred in the last two years, part of a trend U.S. military officials call concerning.Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the top U.S. military commander, told reporters in Tokyo on Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-china-military-top-general-e4e85c6f82a8fadbf3a5611bd6ee91d6">restoration of military-to-military contacts</a>&nbsp;is “hugely important” to “ensure there is no miscalculation” between the sides. He said he conveyed his desire to restart the dialogue in a letter to his Chinese counterpart.The officials also said Biden would underscore U.S. commitment to the Philippines, following a recent episode in which Chinese ships&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">blocked and collided with two Filipino vessels</a>&nbsp;off a contested shoal in the South China Sea.The Philippines and other neighbors of China are resisting Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims over virtually the entire sea.“I want to be very clear,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-australia-albanese-state-visit-b8b86f334f8107b2eb04ed96ddb9128b">Biden said in October</a>. "The United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is iron clad.”Both sides appeared to be carefully considering security for the meeting, declining to publicize the venue of the much-anticipated talks.Thousands of people protesting climate destruction, corporate practices, the Israel-Hamas war and other issues are expected to descend on San Francisco during the summit.San Francisco Police Department Chief Bill Scott said his department expects several protests a day but doesn't know which ones will materialize where and when. He said the city respects people’s right to mobilize peacefully but will not tolerate property destruction, violence or any other crime.

California summit: Biden, Chinese president talk next week

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly knife attack and searching for a suspect.

Just after 4a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to 24th and Elmwood in Kansas City on a reported stabbing, according to KCPD Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders located a man later identified as 53-year-old Bryan D. Hoover, suffering from apparent bodily trauma. Officers provided first aid until EMS arrived on scene and transported him to an area hospital were he later died from his injuries.

Initial investigation revealed the circumstances leading up to the homicide was the result of an argument.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time and detectives are looking for a subject of interest. 

Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process the scene, recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699622275584.png" alt="Police on the scene of the homicide investigation -photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the homicide investigation -photo courtesy Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly knife attack and searching for a suspect.Just after 4a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to 24th and Elmwood in Kansas City on a reported stabbing, according to KCPD Police Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders located a man later identified as 53-year-old Bryan D. Hoover, suffering from apparent bodily trauma. Officers provided first aid until EMS arrived on scene and transported him to an area hospital were he later died from his injuries.Initial investigation revealed the circumstances leading up to the homicide was the result of an argument.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time and detectives are looking for a subject of interest. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to process the scene, recover any evidence and speak to any potential witnesses.

Police: Man injured in Kansas City knife attack has died

ROOKS COUNTY—One person died in a fire Thursday in Rooks County.

Early Thursday, fire crews were called to a house fire in Stockton, according to a social media report from the Rooks County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;Search and Rescue located one fatality inside the home. 

The exact cause of the fire is undetermined. The fire is believed to have originated inside the house and no foul play is suspected.&nbsp;

Kansas State Fire Marshall’s Office has been called to assist Stockton Fire and the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.

The sheriff's office has not released the name of the victim.

ROOKS COUNTY—One person died in a fire Thursday in Rooks County.Early Thursday, fire crews were called to a house fire in Stockton, according to a social media report from the Rooks County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;Search and Rescue located one fatality inside the home. The exact cause of the fire is undetermined. The fire is believed to have originated inside the house and no foul play is suspected.&nbsp;Kansas State Fire Marshall’s Office has been called to assist Stockton Fire and the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.The sheriff's office has not released the name of the victim.

Sheriff: Cause of fatal NW Kan. house fire still undetermined 

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested the two suspects believed responsible for a series of bank robberies in Kansas last week. 

 Darnell M. Richmond, 56, Kansas City, Kansas, was taken into custody by detectives on Nov. 2. The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with three counts of aggravated robbery; aggravated criminal threat; two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; possession of cocaine; two counts of theft; attempted theft; and possession of marijuana or THC. 

Richmond is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

On Nov. 8, officers took his accomplice, Kenton Marcus Williams, 45, Kansas City, Kansas into custody .

The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with three counts of aggravated robbery; attempted aggravated robbery; two counts of a criminal threat; two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; two counts of theft; and attempted theft. Williams is also being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

Detectives believe that on Monday morning, October 30, Richmond robbed the Community First Bank at 650 Kansas Ave. after an unsuccessful attempt at the Bank of America branch located at 7809 State Ave. 

Then three days later, on Thursday afternoon, November 2 they believe he then returned to Community First where he left with an unspecified amount of money.

This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case/Robbery Unit and the FBI. If you have information related to this or any case, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. For more information on the KCKPD and current crime statistics, visit <a href="http://kckpd.org/?fbclid=IwAR3vZt84ne-yK3f6AqVcLIPtivb8TYw-bt3OQBXiKp85QMCK52aJHoEIWaw" target="_blank">kckpd.org.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699412683924.png" alt="Richmond-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Richmond-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested the two suspects believed responsible for a series of bank robberies in Kansas last week. Darnell M. Richmond, 56, Kansas City, Kansas, was taken into custody by detectives on Nov. 2. The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with three counts of aggravated robbery; aggravated criminal threat; two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; possession of cocaine; two counts of theft; attempted theft; and possession of marijuana or THC. Richmond is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $200,000 bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699455652925.png" alt="Williams photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Nov. 8, officers took his accomplice, Kenton Marcus Williams, 45, Kansas City, Kansas into custody .The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with three counts of aggravated robbery; attempted aggravated robbery; two counts of a criminal threat; two counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; two counts of theft; and attempted theft. Williams is also being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $200,000 bond.Detectives believe that on Monday morning, October 30, Richmond robbed the Community First Bank at 650 Kansas Ave. after an unsuccessful attempt at the Bank of America branch located at 7809 State Ave. Then three days later, on Thursday afternoon, November 2 they believe he then returned to Community First where he left with an unspecified amount of money.This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case/Robbery Unit and the FBI. If you have information related to this or any case, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. For more information on the KCKPD and current crime statistics, visit <a href="http://kckpd.org/?fbclid=IwAR3vZt84ne-yK3f6AqVcLIPtivb8TYw-bt3OQBXiKp85QMCK52aJHoEIWaw" target="_blank">kckpd.org.</a>

FBI helps make arrest in series of Kansas bank robberies

BEIJING (AP) — A financial services business of China’s biggest bank says it was hit by a ransomware attack that reportedly disrupted trading in the U.S. Treasury market.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services handles trades and other services for financial institutions. A statement on its website seen Friday said the ransomware attack this week disrupted some of its systems but that it had disconnected parts of the affected systems to limit the impact from the attack.

The company, which is based in New York, said it was investigating and had reported the problem to law enforcement.

All Treasury trades executed Wednesday and repo financing trades on Thursday were cleared, it said. It said ICBC’s banking, email and other systems were not affected.

The company gave no further details but reports said the attack was by LockBit, a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate that does not target former Soviet countries. It is one of the most efficient ransomware variants around, according to the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Active since September 2019, it has&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/38915/ransomware-profile-lockbit/" target="_blank">attacked thousands of organizations.</a>

BEIJING (AP) — A financial services business of China’s biggest bank says it was hit by a ransomware attack that reportedly disrupted trading in the U.S. Treasury market.Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services handles trades and other services for financial institutions. A statement on its website seen Friday said the ransomware attack this week disrupted some of its systems but that it had disconnected parts of the affected systems to limit the impact from the attack.The company, which is based in New York, said it was investigating and had reported the problem to law enforcement.All Treasury trades executed Wednesday and repo financing trades on Thursday were cleared, it said. It said ICBC’s banking, email and other systems were not affected.The company gave no further details but reports said the attack was by LockBit, a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate that does not target former Soviet countries. It is one of the most efficient ransomware variants around, according to the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Active since September 2019, it has&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/38915/ransomware-profile-lockbit/" target="_blank">attacked thousands of organizations.</a>

Ransomware attack disrupts U.S. Treasury market trades

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly crash and have made an arrest.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday p.m., police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 23rd St N and Jackson in Wichita for an injury collision, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found two vehicles with extensive damage. A preliminary investigation revealed that an Acura MDX was northbound on Jackson and an eastbound Nissan Altima collided at 23rd Street collided.&nbsp;

The Nissan was occupied by&nbsp;28-year-old Nancy Lopez of Wichita and a 23-year-old woman from Wichita. 

Despite the lifesaving efforts of the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS, Lopez was pronounced deceased on the scene. 

The 23-year-old was admitted to a local area hospital where she remains in critical condition.

The two occupants who were inside the Acura suffered minor injuries, and the driver identified as a 16-year-old Wichita boy was arrested and&nbsp;booked into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake Center on requested charges of reckless 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Reckless Aggravated Battery, according to Gupilan.

Excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the collision.&nbsp; Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging.

This is the 31st traffic fatality for 2023 in Wichita, according to police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699555503140.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the deadly crash" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the deadly crash</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly crash and have made an arrest.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday p.m., police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 23rd St N and Jackson in Wichita for an injury collision, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders found two vehicles with extensive damage. A preliminary investigation revealed that an Acura MDX was northbound on Jackson and an eastbound Nissan Altima collided at 23rd Street collided.&nbsp;The Nissan was occupied by&nbsp;28-year-old Nancy Lopez of Wichita and a 23-year-old woman from Wichita. Despite the lifesaving efforts of the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS, Lopez was pronounced deceased on the scene. The 23-year-old was admitted to a local area hospital where she remains in critical condition.The two occupants who were inside the Acura suffered minor injuries, and the driver identified as a 16-year-old Wichita boy was arrested and&nbsp;booked into the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake Center on requested charges of reckless 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Reckless Aggravated Battery, according to Gupilan.Excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the collision.&nbsp; Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging.This is the 31st traffic fatality for 2023 in Wichita, according to police.

Excessive speed: 16-year-old jailed after crash killed Kan. woman

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the disappearance of&nbsp;Ebony Duncan who last seen Sept. 6, around 5:00pm in the area of 19200 E. 37th Terrace in Kansas City continue to search for a person of interest in the case.

On Tuesday, Detectives from the Independence Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the area of 83rd and Hillcrest Road in Kansas City following up on leads in Duncan's disappearance.

 They conducted a search of the area using cadaver dogs in an attempt to locate Duncan, who was believed to be possibly deceased. One of the K9s alerted to and located a deceased person in the woods nearby. 

 The deceased person has identifiers that are consistent with those of Ebony Duncan and at this time, the deceased person is believed to be her. 

However, a positive identification will have to be made with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office as the case continues. 

Detectives want to question 42-year-old Keaira Ransberg (Jenkins) in connection with Duncan's disappearance and death.&nbsp; Ransberg is described as being 5-foot-tall, 150 pounds with brown eyes Ransberg has a last known address in Kansas City. 

Anyone with information on Ransberg’s whereabouts in urged to contact the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, where you can remain anonymous. You can also report electronically at the KC Crimestoppers website, <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kccrimestoppers.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR30mww3WgXNkhdYLMum8Tmb_0Ksexe8_OKh-Agl0txAeTGuJsZ6TjAaFPQ&amp;h=AT1au-OUKtuQYdUkBXxc61zw99zueNzkRw1GIhZE_YnX_w_20DM0TJ9m7D7-2TmmCGXYCyWtvxza9I2hfOnNsaA4ZwBCs0-_J0XenN5vCdoTO0boz0OmrMsq_6FumRmenU_MJ9E&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT23Z3rI-FkHe5W23159jjPBDSPZJOvJe9kC208b-jAGexrnUbsLaTkCCVbd0953OI6BQAfBAo_5_HURIi88S_vTvjayrb_goBFyVruEnqgEDxPbXGgUZOY-fnbgEbYH2-2cMaq8TwerZ1gpp5oIfItJaOXzfpDqBzrv396eHiklEf-14iUP0DPSELJuLJlrofsWpgPpiTiZ" target="_blank">https://www.kccrimestoppers.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1698882030410.png" alt="Jenkins is wanted for questioning in the case- photo Independence PD" />
 <figcaption>Jenkins is wanted for questioning in the case- photo Independence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the disappearance of&nbsp;Ebony Duncan who last seen Sept. 6, around 5:00pm in the area of 19200 E. 37th Terrace in Kansas City continue to search for a person of interest in the case.On Tuesday, Detectives from the Independence Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit responded to the area of 83rd and Hillcrest Road in Kansas City following up on leads in Duncan's disappearance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1698881689884.png" alt="Ebony Duncan courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ebony Duncan courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure> They conducted a search of the area using cadaver dogs in an attempt to locate Duncan, who was believed to be possibly deceased. One of the K9s alerted to and located a deceased person in the woods nearby. The deceased person has identifiers that are consistent with those of Ebony Duncan and at this time, the deceased person is believed to be her. However, a positive identification will have to be made with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office as the case continues. Detectives want to question 42-year-old Keaira Ransberg (Jenkins) in connection with Duncan's disappearance and death.&nbsp; Ransberg is described as being 5-foot-tall, 150 pounds with brown eyes Ransberg has a last known address in Kansas City. Anyone with information on Ransberg’s whereabouts in urged to contact the Crimestoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS, where you can remain anonymous. You can also report electronically at the KC Crimestoppers website, <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kccrimestoppers.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR30mww3WgXNkhdYLMum8Tmb_0Ksexe8_OKh-Agl0txAeTGuJsZ6TjAaFPQ&amp;h=AT1au-OUKtuQYdUkBXxc61zw99zueNzkRw1GIhZE_YnX_w_20DM0TJ9m7D7-2TmmCGXYCyWtvxza9I2hfOnNsaA4ZwBCs0-_J0XenN5vCdoTO0boz0OmrMsq_6FumRmenU_MJ9E&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT23Z3rI-FkHe5W23159jjPBDSPZJOvJe9kC208b-jAGexrnUbsLaTkCCVbd0953OI6BQAfBAo_5_HURIi88S_vTvjayrb_goBFyVruEnqgEDxPbXGgUZOY-fnbgEbYH2-2cMaq8TwerZ1gpp5oIfItJaOXzfpDqBzrv396eHiklEf-14iUP0DPSELJuLJlrofsWpgPpiTiZ" target="_blank">https://www.kccrimestoppers.com</a>

Woman still wanted for questioning after body found in Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP)— U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted multiple times in the last day, with three minor injuries reported, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.

The attacks took place as the U.S. conducted another airstrike against an Iranian weapons storage area Wednesday to try to convince Iranian-backed militant groups to cease the hostilities and avoid spurring a larger conflict

Within the past day, militants have launched two separate attacks using multiple rockets against U.S. and coalition forces operating at Green Village, Syria; a one-way drone attack was launched against U.S. and Coalition forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria; U.S. and coalition convoy encountered a roadside bomb near the Mosul Dam, in Iraq; and a one-way attack drone was launched at U.S. and coalition forces at the al Asad air base in Iraq.

There were three minor injuries reported in the Green Village attacks but all personnel returned to duty.

No other injuries or damage was reported in the strikes, according to defense officials who provided details of the attacks on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

According to deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked 46 times since Oct. 17, injuring 56 personnel. All have returned to duty, Singh said.

According to a statement Thursday from the Defense Department, U.S. force enhancements in the Middle East, include recently deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot missile defense systems, additional fighter squadrons, two carrier strike groups, and an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, according to Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

"We also placed over 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness, some of which [were] subsequently deployed," Stroul said. "These deployments demonstrate our commitment to Israel's security, to regional stability, and to deterring those who seek to widen this conflict. It also bolsters the department's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment."

The department's commitment to Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism is "ironclad," and the department is working daily to help Israel do that, Stroul told lawmakers.

"We are working around-the-clock to determine which munitions and equipment from U.S. inventory can quickly be made available," Stroul said. "Air defense is a high priority, as are medical supplies, artillery, ammunition and precision-guided munitions. Deliveries are taking place on a near daily basis."

Since the initial attack, Stroul said Hamas has been using civilians as human shields, has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid, and continues to hold at least 200 civilians.

"The Department of State designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997," she said. "Hamas is responsible for the abhorrent terrorist attack in Israel. And Israel is executing military operations to ensure that Hamas is never again able to perpetuate a terrorist attack like it did in October."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699564278384.png" alt="The USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau" />
 <figcaption>The USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted multiple times in the last day, with three minor injuries reported, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.The attacks took place as the U.S. conducted another airstrike against an Iranian weapons storage area Wednesday to try to convince Iranian-backed militant groups to cease the hostilities and avoid spurring a larger conflictWithin the past day, militants have launched two separate attacks using multiple rockets against U.S. and coalition forces operating at Green Village, Syria; a one-way drone attack was launched against U.S. and Coalition forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria; U.S. and coalition convoy encountered a roadside bomb near the Mosul Dam, in Iraq; and a one-way attack drone was launched at U.S. and coalition forces at the al Asad air base in Iraq.There were three minor injuries reported in the Green Village attacks but all personnel returned to duty.No other injuries or damage was reported in the strikes, according to defense officials who provided details of the attacks on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.According to deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked 46 times since Oct. 17, injuring 56 personnel. All have returned to duty, Singh said.According to a statement Thursday from the Defense Department, U.S. force enhancements in the Middle East, include recently deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot missile defense systems, additional fighter squadrons, two carrier strike groups, and an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, according to Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East."We also placed over 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness, some of which [were] subsequently deployed," Stroul said. "These deployments demonstrate our commitment to Israel's security, to regional stability, and to deterring those who seek to widen this conflict. It also bolsters the department's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment."The department's commitment to Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism is "ironclad," and the department is working daily to help Israel do that, Stroul told lawmakers."We are working around-the-clock to determine which munitions and equipment from U.S. inventory can quickly be made available," Stroul said. "Air defense is a high priority, as are medical supplies, artillery, ammunition and precision-guided munitions. Deliveries are taking place on a near daily basis."Since the initial attack, Stroul said Hamas has been using civilians as human shields, has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid, and continues to hold at least 200 civilians."The Department of State designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997," she said. "Hamas is responsible for the abhorrent terrorist attack in Israel. And Israel is executing military operations to ensure that Hamas is never again able to perpetuate a terrorist attack like it did in October."

US Troops in Syria and Iraq come under more attacks

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

&nbsp;A&nbsp; Saturn Vue was northbound on Troost Avenue at President Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

The driver lost control of his vehicle and it left the roadway to the left, struck a utility pole guide wire and a large tree. 

The driver was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. He was not wearing his seatbelt and impairment is under investigation, according to Carlisle.

The front seat passenger received minor injuries; he was wearing his seatbelt. Police have not released the name of the victim.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 7p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.&nbsp;A&nbsp; Saturn Vue was northbound on Troost Avenue at President Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.The driver lost control of his vehicle and it left the roadway to the left, struck a utility pole guide wire and a large tree. The driver was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. He was not wearing his seatbelt and impairment is under investigation, according to Carlisle.The front seat passenger received minor injuries; he was wearing his seatbelt. Police have not released the name of the victim.

Kan. man dead after SUV strikes utility pole guide wire, tree

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting in August this year inside a Kansas City residence, according Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Anthony T. Adams. 54, faces Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, just after 6p.m. on Aug. 13, 2023, Kansas City police were dispatched to a reported shooting. Officers entered the house and observed the defendant standing in the front room. He spontaneously uttered, "It was an accident, it was an accident."&nbsp; Adams had called 911 for help and stated on those calls that he shot the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699375319095.png" alt="Adams-photo Jackson County." />
 <figcaption>Adams-photo Jackson County.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting in August this year inside a Kansas City residence, according Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.Anthony T. Adams. 54, faces Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, just after 6p.m. on Aug. 13, 2023, Kansas City police were dispatched to a reported shooting. Officers entered the house and observed the defendant standing in the front room. He spontaneously uttered, "It was an accident, it was an accident."&nbsp; Adams had called 911 for help and stated on those calls that he shot the victim.

KC man called 911, told police fatal shooting was an accident

WASHINGTON– Three individuals have been arrested in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia. 

Commercial sex buyers allegedly included elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists and accountants, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The following defendants have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity:&nbsp;

Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Thursday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday. James Lee was arrested in the Central District of California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.&nbsp;

According to the charging documents, from at least July 2020, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Mass., as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Va.&nbsp;

It is alleged that the defendants collectively established the infrastructure for brothels in multiple states which they used to persuade, induce and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution.&nbsp;

Specifically, the defendants allegedly rented high-end apartment complexes as brothel locations, which they furnished and regularly maintained. The monthly rent for the brothel locations were as high as $3,664. It is further alleged that the defendants coordinated the women’s airline travel and transportation and permitted women to stay overnight in the brothel locations so they did not have to find lodging elsewhere, therefore enticing women to participate in their prostitution network.&nbsp;

The defendants allegedly advertised their prostitution network primarily on two websites – bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog – which offered appointments with women in either greater Boston or eastern Virginia, respectively. Both websites purported to advertise nude Asian models for professional photography at upscale studios as a front for prostitution offered through appointments with women listed on their websites. The websites listed the height, weight and bust size of women available for appointments and depicted nude and/or semi-nude photographs of each. The women listed as available on the websites updated frequently, with updates to include “coming soon” or “open” to reflect an impending arrival of new women arriving in the area.&nbsp;

Each website allegedly described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings– including requiring clients complete a form providing their full names, email address, phone number, employer and reference if they had one.

It is further alleged that the defendants maintained local brothel phone numbers which they used to communicate with verified customers and schedule appointments via text message. In these text message exchanges, the defendants allegedly sent customers a “menu” of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate. Additionally, the defendants allegedly texted customers directions to the brothel’s location – a high-end apartments – where they engaged in commercial sex with the women.&nbsp;

According to the charging documents, the defendants charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. The defendants allegedly concealed the proceeds of the prostitution network through depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into their personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at brothel locations in Massachusetts and Virginia.

Over the course of the investigation, a wide array of buyers were identified, including, but not limited to, politicians, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, lawyers, scientists and &nbsp;accountants.&nbsp;

The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing.

WASHINGTON– Three individuals have been arrested in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia. Commercial sex buyers allegedly included elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists and accountants, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.The following defendants have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Han Lee, a/k/a “Hana,” 41, of Cambridge, Mass.;</li><li>James Lee, 68, of Torrance, Calif.; and</li><li>Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Mass.</li>
 </ul>Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Thursday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday. James Lee was arrested in the Central District of California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.&nbsp;According to the charging documents, from at least July 2020, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Mass., as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Va.&nbsp;It is alleged that the defendants collectively established the infrastructure for brothels in multiple states which they used to persuade, induce and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution.&nbsp;Specifically, the defendants allegedly rented high-end apartment complexes as brothel locations, which they furnished and regularly maintained. The monthly rent for the brothel locations were as high as $3,664. It is further alleged that the defendants coordinated the women’s airline travel and transportation and permitted women to stay overnight in the brothel locations so they did not have to find lodging elsewhere, therefore enticing women to participate in their prostitution network.&nbsp;The defendants allegedly advertised their prostitution network primarily on two websites – bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog – which offered appointments with women in either greater Boston or eastern Virginia, respectively. Both websites purported to advertise nude Asian models for professional photography at upscale studios as a front for prostitution offered through appointments with women listed on their websites. The websites listed the height, weight and bust size of women available for appointments and depicted nude and/or semi-nude photographs of each. The women listed as available on the websites updated frequently, with updates to include “coming soon” or “open” to reflect an impending arrival of new women arriving in the area.&nbsp;Each website allegedly described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings– including requiring clients complete a form providing their full names, email address, phone number, employer and reference if they had one.It is further alleged that the defendants maintained local brothel phone numbers which they used to communicate with verified customers and schedule appointments via text message. In these text message exchanges, the defendants allegedly sent customers a “menu” of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate. Additionally, the defendants allegedly texted customers directions to the brothel’s location – a high-end apartments – where they engaged in commercial sex with the women.&nbsp;According to the charging documents, the defendants charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. The defendants allegedly concealed the proceeds of the prostitution network through depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into their personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at brothel locations in Massachusetts and Virginia.Over the course of the investigation, a wide array of buyers were identified, including, but not limited to, politicians, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, lawyers, scientists and &nbsp;accountants.&nbsp;The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing.

 High-end interstate prostitution network catered to elected officials

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Astronaut Frank Borman, who commanded Apollo 8's historic Christmas 1968 flight that circled the moon 10 times and paved the way for the lunar landing the next year, has died. He was 95.

Borman died Tuesday in Billings, Montana, according to NASA.

Borman also led troubled Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early '80s after leaving the astronaut corps.

But he was best known for his NASA duties. He and his crew, James Lovell and William Anders, were the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4412e721713842b984817355fc291c12">first Apollo mission to fly to the moon</a>&nbsp;— and to see Earth as a distant sphere in space.

“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement Thursday. "His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.”

Launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968, the Apollo 8 trio spent three days traveling to the moon, and slipped into lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. After they circled 10 times on Dec. 24-25, they headed home on Dec. 27.

On Christmas Eve, the astronauts read from the Book of Genesis in a live telecast from the orbiter: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."

Borman ended the broadcast with, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you — all of you on the good Earth.”

Lovell and Borman had previously flown together during the two-week Gemini 7 mission, which launched on Dec. 4, 1965 — and, at only 120 feet apart, completed the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6.

"Gemini was a tough go," Borman told The Associated Press in 1998. "It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus."

In his book, "Countdown: An Autobiography," Borman said Apollo 8 was originally supposed to orbit Earth. The success of Apollo 7's mission in October 1968 to show system reliability on long duration flights made NASA decide it was time to take a shot at flying to the moon.

But Borman said there was another reason NASA changed the plan: the agency wanted to beat the Russians. Borman said he thought one orbit would suffice.

“My main concern in this whole flight was to get there ahead of the Russians and get home. That was a significant achievement in my eyes,” Borman explained at a Chicago appearance in 2017.

It was on the crew's fourth orbit that Anders snapped the iconic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-vOscpiNc&amp;t=1s">“Earthrise” photo</a>&nbsp;showing a blue and white Earth rising above the gray lunar landscape.

Borman wrote about how the Earth looked from afar: "We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, This must be what God sees."

After NASA, Borman's aviation career ventured into business in 1970 when he joined Eastern Airlines — at that time the nation’s fourth-largest airline. He eventually became Eastern’s president and CEO and in 1976 also became its chairman of the board.

Borman’s tenure at Eastern saw fuel prices increase sharply and the government deregulate the airline industry. The airline became increasingly unprofitable, debt-ridden and torn by labor tensions. He resigned in 1986 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

In his autobiography, Borman wrote that his fascination with flying began in his teens when he and his father would assemble model airplanes. At age 15, Borman took flying lessons, using money he had saved working as a bag boy and pumping gas after school. He took his first solo flight after eight hours of dual instruction. He continued flying into his 90s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699579574625.png" alt="Astronaut Frank Borman-photo courtesy NASA" />
 <figcaption>Astronaut Frank Borman-photo courtesy NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Astronaut Frank Borman, who commanded Apollo 8's historic Christmas 1968 flight that circled the moon 10 times and paved the way for the lunar landing the next year, has died. He was 95.Borman died Tuesday in Billings, Montana, according to NASA.Borman also led troubled Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early '80s after leaving the astronaut corps.But he was best known for his NASA duties. He and his crew, James Lovell and William Anders, were the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4412e721713842b984817355fc291c12">first Apollo mission to fly to the moon</a>&nbsp;— and to see Earth as a distant sphere in space.“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement Thursday. "His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.”Launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968, the Apollo 8 trio spent three days traveling to the moon, and slipped into lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. After they circled 10 times on Dec. 24-25, they headed home on Dec. 27.On Christmas Eve, the astronauts read from the Book of Genesis in a live telecast from the orbiter: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."Borman ended the broadcast with, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you — all of you on the good Earth.”Lovell and Borman had previously flown together during the two-week Gemini 7 mission, which launched on Dec. 4, 1965 — and, at only 120 feet apart, completed the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6."Gemini was a tough go," Borman told The Associated Press in 1998. "It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus."In his book, "Countdown: An Autobiography," Borman said Apollo 8 was originally supposed to orbit Earth. The success of Apollo 7's mission in October 1968 to show system reliability on long duration flights made NASA decide it was time to take a shot at flying to the moon.But Borman said there was another reason NASA changed the plan: the agency wanted to beat the Russians. Borman said he thought one orbit would suffice.“My main concern in this whole flight was to get there ahead of the Russians and get home. That was a significant achievement in my eyes,” Borman explained at a Chicago appearance in 2017.It was on the crew's fourth orbit that Anders snapped the iconic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-vOscpiNc&amp;t=1s">“Earthrise” photo</a>&nbsp;showing a blue and white Earth rising above the gray lunar landscape.Borman wrote about how the Earth looked from afar: "We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, This must be what God sees."After NASA, Borman's aviation career ventured into business in 1970 when he joined Eastern Airlines — at that time the nation’s fourth-largest airline. He eventually became Eastern’s president and CEO and in 1976 also became its chairman of the board.Borman’s tenure at Eastern saw fuel prices increase sharply and the government deregulate the airline industry. The airline became increasingly unprofitable, debt-ridden and torn by labor tensions. He resigned in 1986 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico.In his autobiography, Borman wrote that his fascination with flying began in his teens when he and his father would assemble model airplanes. At age 15, Borman took flying lessons, using money he had saved working as a bag boy and pumping gas after school. He took his first solo flight after eight hours of dual instruction. He continued flying into his 90s.Borman was born in Gary, Indiana, but was raised in Tucson, Arizona. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1950. That same year, Borman married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bugbee. She died in 2021.Borman worked as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, operational pilot and instructor at West Point after graduation. In 1956, Borman moved his family to Pasadena, California, where he earned a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Institute of Technology. In 1962, he was one of nine test pilots chosen by NASA for the astronaut program.He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Jimmy Carter.In 1998, Borman started a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, with his son, Fred. In addition to Fred, he survived by another son, Edwin, and their families.