BRUSSELS / GENEVA, October 5 (IPS) – The results of the OECD PISA 2025 report point to the marked deterioration of results in countries whose education systems were once considered exemplary.
INDIANAPOLIS — Outdoor enthusiasts can now earn rewards for exploring Indiana’s natural beauty through a new program from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Angie Manuel, an interpretative services representative for the DNR, said the agency rolled out the program this year to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors an visit state parks and wildlife areas.
“This year the Indiana DNR rolled out a rewards program to invite people to who already visit parks who are interested in learning more about parks to actually get points be rewarded for visiting our parks, lakes, forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, and then things they do in those properties,” Manuel said.
To start earning, visitors must download the Indiana DNR app. While at a DNR-owned property, users can check in using GPS coordinates or by scanning a QR code. Points are available at nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, and for specific activities such as boat rentals or attending events.
While there is not a total limit on the points a user can accrue, the system does limit users to one check-in per day at each location. For example, a visitor staying at a campground for a three-day weekend can check in each day to maximize their points.
Participants can redeem 10,000 points for a $25 gift card. These cards are valid for camping reservations or stays at one of the several state park inns.
“Right now it’s when you hit the 10,000 points mark, you get a $25 gift card again to either an inn or a camping reservation,” Manuel said. “Those might grow in the future, but right now it’s gift cards that people just love to receive.”
Manuel recently visited Harmony State Park, where she saw many visitors using the app during a fall event.
“I met lots of folks who were checking in on their DNR rewards app,” Manuel said. “They got points for coming to the park, points for being in the campground over the weekend, for the event, the fall event.”
The program aims to provide motivation for Hoosiers to get outside and check out new locations across Indiana, especially during the peak fall color season in October.
LONDON, October 5 (IPS) – Four years ago, Sweden’s far right became the power behind a right-wing government. This time, it expected further gains and cabinet seats. But voters turned against it. In the 13 September general election, support for the far-right Sweden Democrats fell for the for the first time in the party’s history. Four days later, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned, leaving the way clear for the centre-left Social Democrats to negotiate a coalition. But the Sweden Democrats’ defeat will prove hollow if the next government maintains the hostility towards migrants that has come to characterise Sweden’s politics.
Read the full story, “Sweden’s Far Right Falters”, on globalissues.org →
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police have found the third vehicle involved in a school bus crash that injured 13 people Tuesday morning on an Interstate 465 ramp.
The Indianapolis Fire Department said ambulances took eight children to local hospitals, including Indiana University Health Riley Hospital for Children and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent. While seven of those children were stable, one remained in serious condition.
Five adults — two state troopers and three school employees — were stable at Eskenazi and IU Health Methodist hospitals.
Sgt. John Perrine announced Sunday night that police located the blue van they were searching for on Friday afternoon.
From the truck’s dashcam, Indiana State Police on Tuesday evening shared a photo of a blue Honda minivan involved in the crash near the U.S. 40/East Washington Street interchange. Investigators say a Warren Township school bus, the minivan and the police truck were all entering northbound I-465 from Washington Street when the crash happened.
The bus led the group, followed by the van and the police truck. As the bus and van merged onto the interstate, both moved into the center lane at the same time. The van then moved into the left lane to pass the bus. As the van cleared the front of the bus, the bus driver swerved to the right and hit the right rear of the police truck in the adjacent lane. The impact caused the truck to slide and hit the concrete median barrier. The bus then tipped onto its driver’s side and came to rest against the median wall.
The bus was carrying 24 students from Creston Intermediate and Middle School and three adults.
While investigators do not believe the van hit the bus, detectives want to speak with the driver about what happened.
Perrine said the investigation is ongoing and there will be no further information released at this time.
INDIANAPOLIS — A man accused of making and selling spice across Indianapolis is behind bars after a months-long investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Police arrested the 37-year-old Thursday, wrapping up a case they say included drones, public safety cameras, and license plate reader cameras.
On Oct. 1, detectives executed three search warrants at 1000 E. Troy and 7100 Birch Hall Circle near E. Southport Road and Five Points Road.
Here’s what detectives seized during the search:
The suspect faces multiple charges of dealing and possession of a controlled substance.
“Our detectives put in countless hours of meticulous work—surveillance, technology-driven analysis, and coordinated operations—to bring this investigation to a successful point,” said IMPD Downtown District Commander Shane Foley. “Their dedication disrupts a network that fuels violence and instability in our neighborhoods. This work reflects our commitment to protecting Downtown and the entire city, and I believe the impact of this investigation will be felt well beyond this arrest.”
SUVA, Fiji & SRINAGAR, India, October 5 (IPS) – Extreme heat is increasingly threatening pregnant women and newborn babies around the world, with almost all maternal health professionals surveyed across five continents saying they have cared for women or infants whose health was affected by high temperatures.
INDIANAPOLIS — A 9-year-old boy is dead, and a 6-year-old boy is injured after they were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash Sunday afternoon on the city’s northwest side.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, at 1:33 p.m., officers were called to the 6700 block of Eagle Pointe Drive North on a report of a child lying in the street.
That location is an apartment complex located off West 46th Street and Inland Drive East.
Arriving officers found two children who had been hit by a vehicle.
The vehicle that hit the children did not stay on the scene, according to police.
The 9-year-old boy was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The other child is in stable condition, police say.
At this time, police say they are unable to share details on the striking vehicle.
Police ask anyone with information on this incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
The package originated in Entebbe, Uganda, bound for Cairo, containing 10 kilograms of thumb-sized pieces that could have been either bone or elephant ivory.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever’s season might be over, but the conversation around the team’s fans and their behavior during games continues after a heated exchange between Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson and a courtside fan during Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs Tuesday.
Fever general manager Amber Cox read a written statement to close her end-of-season interviews Saturday, saying in part:
“The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality, and they need to stop, especially with members of the media… who have never been to a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”
Cox goes on to say that the Fever welcome fans from 57 countries and all 50 states to Indiana to attend games but not one fan has ever been removed from the arena for violating the WNBA Code of Conduct.
“Our fans love this team. They’re going to cheer, they’re going to boo, and sometimes they might point. It’s a home court advantage for a reason,” Cox said. “Fever games have always been about inclusivity. Sports are the ultimate unifier, and we want everyone to be a fan of the Fever and a fan of this league.”
When asked why she felt it necessary to end her media availability with the prepared statement, Cox said she wanted to thank the fans.
“I think during the playoff series, there were some narratives around our fanbase that just frankly are not true, and I thought it was important to say that no one has ever violated that fan code of conduct. We take it very seriously. We understand that there is a line. People are held accountable if they cross it, and they should be. But we have a great fanbase,” Cox said.
The Fever’s season ended with a 94-83 loss to the Aces in a series-deciding Game 3 on Thursday night. Questions remain about whether head coach Stephanie White will remain in her job next season, or if the Fever will re-sign guards Kelsey Mitchell or Sophie Cunningham, but of whom are now free agents.
Cox said that she wants to keep the Fever’s “Big Three” — meaning All-Stars Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Mitchell — together and have Mitchell retire with Indiana. She also said that she’ll be in discussions with Cunningham’s team to see if a return is possible.
INDIANAPOLIS — Medics and Indianapolis police were sent Friday night to a report of a person shot at or near the end of a football game at Warren Central High School on the city’s east side.
Authorities were called about 10:35 p.m. Friday to the school at 9500 E. 16th St.
Circle City Broadcasting reached out to IMPD and the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township for information but did not receive an immediate response.
Media was told to gather at a 21st Street library for information. Circle City Broadcasting has a crew on the way to the scene.formation at a library on 21st Street. A Circle City Broadcasting crew is traveling to the scene.
Warren Central defeated Lawrence North 53-37.
