The owner told Newsweek he will jump in and out of the tub all day.
Day: August 9, 2025
The NYPD is paying nearly $400,000 for a Wall-E style PackBot 525 with a mechanical arm that can open doors, grab weapons, inspect bombs and handle hazardous materials — giving NYPD officers a safer way to operate in high-risk situations.
Newsom said his state will move forward with plans for a November special election that would allow Democrats to redraw congressional maps.
Bruges – The Gruuthuse Museum in Bruges has joined the international REFRESH project to investigate the impact of climate change on historic buildings. Alderman Nico Blontrock emphasized the museum’s commitment to protection against water-related damage and humidity, which are increasingly threatening heritage sites amid shifting climate conditions, reports 24brussels.
As reported by VRT News, this initiative aims to understand the interaction between climate change and traditional architecture. Water poses a significant threat as it permeates the soil and structures, potentially leading to issues such as dampness, salt accumulation, and mould growth.
The growing frequency of floods, fluctuating water levels, and rising humidity underlines the urgency of this research, which seeks to gather comprehensive data on these dynamics.
Addressing Climate Change Risks to Heritage
The Gruuthuse Museum’s unique location near a canal and surrounded by gardens makes it an ideal site for climate studies. Researchers are assessing how moisture from these water sources affects both the building’s exterior and interior environments.
Alderman Nico Blontrock noted that the findings from the REFRESH project will guide strategies to safeguard historic buildings against the adverse effects of climate change, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
In the coming years, the museum will undergo detailed monitoring using specialized sensors that will track conditions surrounding the building and measure the flow of water and moisture. An on-site weather station will continuously capture data on temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation.
Internally, sensors will monitor conditions in four museum galleries, measuring temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. This information will aid experts in evaluating how variations in indoor climate may influence the museum’s collection and structural integrity.
Researchers are particularly focused on how materials like oak, marble, glass, plaster, and copper respond to changes in environmental conditions, including the effects of the nearby Reie River on the museum’s historic brickwork.
Water intrusion threatens the structure’s stability and can cause enduring damage. The ongoing research will contribute to developing innovative strategies to protect the Gruuthuse Museum and similar historical sites from the challenges posed by climate change.
“Museums and other historical buildings are also experiencing the consequences of climate change. We must therefore find sustainable solutions for heritage to ensure its preservation,”
Blontrock concluded that the Gruuthuse Museum, which dates back to the 15th century and was once the residence of a noble family, serves as a vital cultural landmark housing a significant collection of medieval art and artifacts.
As a pivotal heritage site, the museum highlights Bruges’ historical importance as a major European trade center, attracting visitors and scholars fascinated by the city’s medieval past and cultural heritage.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has already hit Midtown’s new Planet Hollywood, a venture the A-list star invested in when it launched in the late nineties and his son Patrick has also been there to eat.
Met police says it has drawn officers from other forces to form ‘significant presence’ in busy weekend of protests
Arrests have begun at the largest demonstration relating to Palestine Action in central London since the group was proscribed as a terrorist organisation.
The Metropolitan police said it had drawn officers from other forces to help form a “significant policing presence” in the capital as it faces a busy weekend of protests.
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Apple Sues Apple Cinemas Over Trademark Infringement
Apple has filed a lawsuit against Sand Media, the owner of Apple Cinemas, claiming trademark infringement and alleging dilution of its brand. The suit, which was officially registered recently, specifies that Apple Cinemas has attempted to capitalize on the renowned Apple brand as it embarks on a significant nationwide expansion. Apple asserts that prior attempts to resolve the matter amicably have been ignored by Sand Media, reports 24brussels.
In the lawsuit, Apple describes the potential for consumer confusion, stating, “Consumers should not go to an ‘Apple Cinemas’ theater thinking it is connected to the famous Apple brand, with all its goodwill and brand equity, when Apple Cinemas has no relation whatsoever to Apple.”
Apple Cinemas has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. While the theater chain has historically operated mostly in the suburbs and outskirts of New England, it recently opened a location in the San Francisco Bay Area, approximately 50 miles from Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, with plans for further expansion.
According to Apple, “Already, Defendants’ actions have confused customers and diluted Apple’s brand.” The complaint cites social media posts where users are confused about the affiliation between Apple Cinemas and Apple Inc. In addition, Apple references media coverage that has felt compelled to clarify that there is no connection between the two entities, especially following the theater openings on both the East and West Coasts. The lawsuit emphasizes that Apple Cinemas is aiming for an “aggressive national expansion to 100 theaters.”
Apple’s legal move highlights the ongoing conflict in the realms of branding and trademark protections, particularly for high-profile companies navigating the complexities of growth and recognition in diverse markets.
Kazakhstan has embarked on a comprehensive judicial reform, emphasizing the critical need for an independent judiciary as a foundational element of its governance. The reform framework promotes the establishment of courts staffed by professionals selected solely on merit, free from outside influence, and held to rigorous standards of integrity and accountability, reports 24brussels.
As the Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, I oversee the intricate processes involved in the formation and career progression of judges. This autonomous body ensures that the President’s constitutional powers are exercised to establish a professional and independent judiciary, extending its role beyond mere appointments to restructuring the very framework that upholds the rule of law.
From Centralised Control to Distributed Oversight
Traditionally, Kazakhstan’s judiciary faced challenges related to excessive centralization of authority, where vital decisions regarding appointments and disciplinary actions were controlled by the Supreme Court’s leadership. While this was administratively expedient, it undermined judicial independence and eroded public trust.
Today, the Supreme Judicial Council operates with a significant degree of separation from the courts it supports. Judicial candidates must undergo a comprehensive qualification process that includes multiple assessments such as legal knowledge tests, essay writing, ethical evaluations, case-solving tasks, psychological testing, and personal interviews. In certain instances, candidates may also be subjected to polygraph tests. All stages are documented via video recordings and made publicly available, empowering citizens to contribute feedback on candidates.
This overhaul ensures that no individual or group can exert undue influence over judicial appointments, providing a voice to the legal community and the public—an unthinkable shift from a decade ago.
A landmark change in 2023 introduced electoral mechanisms for judicial selection. Candidates for the Supreme Court are now nominated by the President from a shortlist proposed by the Supreme Judicial Council, ensuring at least two candidates per vacancy are presented to the Senate for final decision—removing executive overreach from the process.
Additionally, district court chairs are now selected through collective voting sessions solely among judicial peers, further empowering judges to choose their leadership and enhancing professional autonomy.
While these reforms do not eliminate established appointment processes, they serve as essential safeguards against potential high-level interference, signifying a commitment to institutional independence in governance.
Reforming Judicial Accountability
Independence does not equate to a lack of accountability. A judiciary free from oversight cannot uphold the rule of law; rather, it operates outside of its boundaries.
Kazakhstan has reformed its disciplinary mechanisms by relocating the Judicial Jury, which reviews misconduct allegations, from the Supreme Court to the Supreme Judicial Council’s jurisdiction. Enlarged to 15 members, the Jury now encompasses representatives from various judicial levels and the legal community, curtailing its previous unilateral authority to initiate cases. Referrals must now originate from superior judicial bodies and conform to strict legal criteria, including the codified concept of “gross violation of the law.”
Judges accused of misconduct are entitled to access the complete case file and can be represented by legal counsel during proceedings, ensuring procedural fairness within the body that upholds ethical standards in the judiciary.
The emphasis on accountability also aims to enhance justice quality, with new legislation mandating the Judicial Jury to review all court decisions annulled due to significant legal errors, promoting an understanding of mistakes made and instituting necessary sanctions.
Moreover, we contend that judicial competence encompasses more than legal expertise; it requires ethical reasoning, communication abilities, and moral judgment. One year ago, the Academy of Justice transitioned from the Supreme Court to the Council, aligning its training programs with real judicial responsibilities.
The Academy now offers postgraduate master’s and doctoral programs focused on research and ethics, receiving international accreditation for its scholarly contributions. While efforts to modernize its infrastructure are underway to establish a hub for judicial excellence, challenges persist in delivering effective international exchange programs.
Yet, the primary hurdle remains conceptual: judges must not only grasp the law but effectively convey its principles, uphold its integrity, and fulfill the public’s trust vested in them. Our educational initiatives are evolving to integrate essential “soft skills” into core judicial training.
Work in Progress
We recognize that structural reform alone cannot guarantee justice. No legal system is impervious to external pressures or systemic failures. Kazakhstan’s judiciary, like others worldwide, must cultivate public trust through conduct within courtrooms, transparency in appointments, and restraint in authority.
Our reforms epitomize an ongoing journey of learning, adaptation, and public engagement. We do not claim to have discovered a flawless model, but we are confident in the direction we are headed.
In a world where many face challenges to the rule of law, Kazakhstan is steadfastly investing in its foundation. Judicial independence is not merely declared; it must be thoughtfully designed, firmly protected, and consistently reinforced.