RTHK: Philippine military plane crashes, at least 45 dead A Philippines Air Force troop plane crashed and broke up in flames on a southern island on Sunday, killing at least 45 people after some jumped free, officials said, in the country's worst military air disaster in nearly 30 years. Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among coconut palms as men in combat uniform milled around, while a column of thick black smoke rose into the sky. The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft, carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations, crashed with 96 people on board. The plane had attempted to land at Jolo airport, but overshot the runway without touching down. It failed to regain enough power and height and crashed at nearby Patikul. "A number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash," the Joint Task Force Sulu said in a statement. It was not immediately clear how many jumped or whether they had survived. Military chief Cirilito Sobejana said the plane had "missed the runway trying to regain power". The Department of National Defence said 45 people had been killed, including three civilians on the ground, while 53 were injured, including four civilians. Five military personnel were still missing. A military spokesman, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said there was no sign of any attack on the plane, but an investigation had yet to begin as efforts were focused on rescue and treatment. The military command said the soldiers aboard had the rank of private and were being deployed to their battalions. They were flying to the provincial airport of Jolo from Laguindingan, about 460 km (290 miles) to the northeast. The army in the sprawling Philippine archipelago has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from Abu Sayyaf and other factions. "They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism," said Commander William N. Gonzales of Joint Task Force Sulu. Jolo airport has a 1,200-metre runway that usually takes civilian turboprop flights though occasionally some military flights, according to a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesperson. Jolo island, part of the Sulu archipelago, is about 950 km south of the capital, Manila. The Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft, with registration 5125, had only recently arrived in the Philippines. It was one of two aircraft provided by the US government through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a government website said in January. It quoted an air force spokesman as saying the aircraft would boost capability for heavy airlift missions. The website C-130.net said the plane that crashed had first flown in 1988. The model is a workhorse for armed forces around the world. The Philippines armed forces have a patchy air safety record. Last month a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training mission, killing six people. A Philippines Air Force C-130 crash in 1993 killed 30 people. A 2008 crash of the civilian variant of the Lockheed plane flown by the Philippines Air Force killed 11 people, the Aviation Safety Network says. The country's worst plane crash was that of an Air Philippines Boeing 737 in 2000, which killed 131 people. (Reuters) ______________________________ Last updated: 2021-07-04 HKT 23:39 This story has been published on: 2021-07-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. World's longest desert-crossing expressway starts operation 10:31, July 03, 2021 By Dong Hongliang, Wan Yu ( People's Daily The Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the world's longest desert-crossing expressway, fully opened to traffic on June 30 after its last section in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was put into operation. The expressway, also known as G7 expressway, is now the fastest road linking northeast, north and northwest China. The expressway is the seventh national expressway originating from the capital city of Beijing. Totaling 2,822 kilometers, it crosses six provincial-level regions including Beijing, Hebei province, Shanxi province, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Gansu province, and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Photo taken on June 28, 2021 shows the Qitai section of the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo by Cai Zengle/People's Daily Online) The Beijing section of the expressway was opened on May 24, 2014, and the section linking Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region's Linhe and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's Baigeda started operation about three years later. The section opening this time has a total length of 515 kilometers, and goes in two directions with four lanes where vehicles can run as much as 120 kilometers per hour. It is the first expressway in Xinjiang built under publicprivate partnership, as well as the longest operational expressway opened at one go in China. The expressway marks the completion of the north channel of the Silk Road Economic Belt, and will give a strong boost to Xinjiang's economic and social development, said Da Wenbin from China Railway Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd., who's in charge of the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway project. It is a road to wealth, unity and happiness, he added. Asphalt is being laid at the junction of an extended section of the G575 expressway and the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, May 20, 2021. (Photo by Polat Niyaz/People's Daily Online) Crossing Ulan Buh Desert, Tengri Desert and Badain Jaran Desert, the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway shortens the journey between Beijing and Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region by nearly 1,300 kilometers. It is a witness to the mutual assistance and solidarity among the people of all ethnic groups along the route. Over 20 years ago, Zhang Xinjian went from his hometown Hubei province in central China to Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi to sell dried grapes, where he came to know Sulayman Memetimin, owner of a copper handicraft shop. The two developed ironclad friendship during the past two decades and are calling each other "family". In 2019, Sulayman wanted to move his shop to a better location in the grand bazaar. It was Zhang that lent him 60,000 yuan ($927.95) to make it happen. This year, when Zhang was having the interior of his new shop decorated, Sulayman also went to help. " Vehicles drive onto the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway from a tollgate in Yiwu county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, June 30, 2021. (Photo by Cai Zengle/People's Daily Online) Xiao Yumei was once an impoverished villager living in Disanbu village, Huai'an county in northwest Hebei province, whose livelihood has been significantly improved after the opening of the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway. Xiao's house is only half an hour's drive from the Huai'an exit of the expressway. In recent years, under the assistance of local poverty alleviation cadres, an e-commerce platform was established to help local farmers sell millet, and four processing plants and a cooperative have been built. Nearly 60 percent of local millet production is processed and sold by the plants and cooperative. "Now the millet is sold to Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and becomes a great ingredient of milk tea and fried millet," Xiao said. According to her, the expressway and e-commerce are helping her family gain over 10,000 yuan a year from the millet business alone. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji) China is certified malaria-free by WHO 10:41, July 03, 2021 By Zhang Penghui ( People's Daily The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday officially granted China a malaria-free certification. The UN health body called it a notable feat for a country that reported 30 million cases of the disease annually in the 1940s. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated China in a press communique. He said China's success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. "Chinas tireless effort to achieve this important milestone demonstrates how strong political commitment and strengthening national health systems can result in eliminating a disease that once was a major public health problem. Chinas achievement takes us one step closer towards the vision of a malaria-free Western Pacific Region," said Takeshi Kasai, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office. Malaria incidence in China from 1950-2019 (Photo from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention) The WHO grants the certification of malaria elimination to a country or a region when it has reported no indigenous malaria transmission for three consecutive years, established an effective and rapid detection and monitoring system for the disease, and set up a plan for malaria prevention and control. China has seen no locally transmitted cases of malaria for four consecutive years since 2017, and officially applied to the WHO for the certification of malaria elimination last year. In the press communique, the WHO detailed China's practice and experience of eliminating malaria. Chinese scientists discovered and extracted artemisinin in Chinese herbal medicine, and the core compound of artemisinin-based combination therapies is the most effective antimalarial drugs available today. This discovery earned Chinese scientist Tu Youyou the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. China is also one of the first countries in the world to extensively test the use of insecticide-treated nets for the prevention of malaria. News report of the World Health Organization on China's elimination of malaria Besides, China has established a national infectious disease reporting system and a laboratory testing network for malaria, and improved the monitoring systems of malaria vectors and drug resistance of plasmodium. The country further reduced its malaria caseload through a strict adherence to the timelines of the "1-3-7" strategy and the "3+1 defense line" at border areas. The "1" signifies the one-day deadline for health facilities to report a malaria diagnosis; by the end of day 3, health authorities are required to confirm a case and determine the risk of spread; and, within 7 days, appropriate measures must be taken to prevent further spread of the disease. The "1-3-7" model has been promoted worldwide and officially incorporated into the WHO's technical document. China's first Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine Tu Youyou. (File photo) Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme spoke highly of China's achievements and experience in eliminating malaria. He said over many decades, Chinas ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria, and also had a significant ripple effect globally. The Chinese government and its people were always searching for new and innovative ways to accelerate the pace of progress towards elimination, he added. According to data released by the WHO, there were 229 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019 and 409,000 deaths. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji) Chinese envoy urges international community to fully respect sovereignty, ownership of Ethiopia on Tigray issue Xinhua) 13:41, July 03, 2021 UNITED NATIONS, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, on Friday called on the international community to fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of Ethiopia on the Tigray issue. Addressing the Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa, Dai said that the Tigray issue is the internal affairs of Ethiopia. "China believes that the Ethiopian people have the wisdom and capability to properly solve this issue. When offering help, the international community must fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of Ethiopia, and jointly help Ethiopia tide over the difficulty." China has been closely following the situation in Tigray, said the envoy. "China welcomes the Ethiopian Government's recent announcement of unilateral ceasefire in Tigray to guarantee the normal agricultural and humanitarian activities. China hopes to see a complete ceasefire in Tigray, and supports relevant parties to solve their differences through political dialogue, so that all the Ethiopian people, including people in Tigray, can enjoy peace and stability and achieve development and prosperity. China supports the African Union in continuing its constructive role and welcomes the support expressed to Ethiopia by Chairperson Faki of the AU Commission." Dai said that China has provided humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia to the best of its ability. The food assistance offered by the Chinese government will soon arrive in the country, and the COVID-19 vaccines donated by China to Ethiopia will also benefit people in Tigray. The ambassador underscored that the Ethiopian government has actively responded to the humanitarian need in Tigray by providing aid to the people in need, restoring local production and normal life and fully opening humanitarian access, all of which have yielded sound outcomes. "Humanitarian assistance for Tigray still faces severe shortage of resources. The international community should provide greater emergency humanitarian assistance and the UN guiding principles of humanitarian emergency assistance should be fully observed," he added. "The Security Council should prudently handle the timing and method regarding the settlement of the Tigray issue to ensure that the Council will play a positive role in improving the Tigray situation, not the other way around," said the ambassador. "Ethiopia is the anchor of stability for the Horn of Africa, exerting major influence over regional peace and stability," he said. "To safeguard peace and stability in Ethiopia is the common aspiration of the Ethiopian people, and also the shared expectation of African countries and the wider international community. China will work with the international community to make efforts in this regard," the envoy noted. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji) Heavy fighting breaks out in Afghanistan's northern Badakhshan province, 23 killed Xinhua) 16:01, July 03, 2021 FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, July 3 (Xinhua) -- A heavy fighting between government forces and Taliban rebels broke out in Afghanistan's northern Badakhshan province, killing 20 Taliban militants and three soldiers, an army officer in the province Captain Abdul Razaq said Saturday. "A total of 20 Taliban rebels and three soldiers have been killed in Badakhshan over the past 24 hours," Razaq confirmed to local media. Ten more insurgents and five security personnel had been injured, the officer added. In the meantime, some locals on the condition of anonymity said that the Taliban fighters had captured the headquarters of Tagab, Kishim, Tashkan and Shahr-e-Buzarg districts of Badakhshan over the past 24 hours. However, Badakhshan's provincial government spokesman Nik Mohammad Nazari in talks with Xinhua has denied the fall of the districts to the Taliban militants, saying that the fighting has been continuing. Taliban militants have intensified activities since the start of the pullout of U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan on May 1. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Bianji) Chinese FM urges countries to practice real multilateralism Xinhua) 09:05, July 04, 2021 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the ninth World Peace Forum at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, on July 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on countries around the world to uphold and practice real multilateralism to effectively respond to various security challenges. Wang made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the ninth World Peace Forum at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Saturday. Organized by the university in partnership with the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, the forum is a non-governmental seminar focusing on international security. The theme of this year's forum is International Security Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era: Upholding and Practicing Multilateralism. Noting the country has just celebrated the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Wang said the CPC has always been committed to peaceful development, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation. "Upholding and practicing true multilateralism is the correct direction to solve complicated problems in today's world and effectively respond to various traditional and non-traditional security challenges. It is also the only way to break zero-sum game, resist unilateral bullying, and truly achieve lasting peace and common security," Wang said. He called on countries around the world to jointly cope with imminent global challenges, promote political settlement of global hotspot issues, and oppose all dangerous practices that artificially create division and confrontation. China will carry forward the common values of mankind, adhere to true multilateralism, actively practice the new security concept and work with other countries to build a world of lasting peace and universal security, Wang added. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Business leaders hail Xi's pledges on development China Daily) 09:44, July 04, 2021 Visitors take photos in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Friday after it reopened to the public following the ceremony commemorating the Communist Party of China's centenary on Thursday. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping's speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC on Thursday has drawn recognition and support from domestic and foreign business leaders, who viewed it as an encouraging message that China's development will create new opportunities for the world and the country will continue to be a major force in driving global growth. The emphasis on China pursuing peaceful development, as well as its resolve to promote high-quality growth and to further deepen reform and opening-up has further boosted confidence in the world's second-largest economy as the country's top leadership pledged to make more notable and substantive progress toward building a strong and modern socialist country in all respects, experts and business leaders said. As the country embarked on a new development journey, the remarks by Xi, who is also China's president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, underscored the trend that the Chinese economy will not only grow in size but also evolve into an innovative and rules-based market economy that will bring benefits to the common prosperity of the world, they added. Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said that Xi's speech holds great significance as it not only announced that China has achieved its first centenary goalto build a moderately prosperous society in all respects and eradicate absolute povertybut also laid out the major tasks of the Party on the way to realizing the second centenary goal. "It is not only about achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but also about promoting the peaceful development of the world and building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. Zhang said that new success stories are expected to emerge in China's efforts to boost its innovative ability to further unleash the potential of its productivity, major progress in improving the country's rule of law and modern governance, and efforts to promote common prosperity after eradicating absolute poverty. Business executives viewed Xi's speech as an encouraging sign that China will continue to develop its economy by deepening reform and opening-up, promoting high-quality development and improving its business environment. "During the past century, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China's business environment has been optimized, Chinese consumers have played an increasingly important role in the global economy and China has become a major force in leading global economic development," said Saravoot Yoovidhya, CEO of Thailand's TCP Group, which owns the energy drink brand Red Bull. "Thanks to the infinite opportunities created by the CPC's unwavering reform and opening-up, my father, the founder of TCP and the inventor of Red Bull, Mr. Chaleo Yoovidhya, was proud to return to his ancestral homeland of Hainan province as China's reform and opening-up era took off and establish the first Red Bull factory in the country in 1993," he said. Liu Guoping, chairman of the China branch of Orix Group, a Japanese financial services group, said that China's reform and opening-up under the leadership of the CPC has enabled the company to develop rapidly in the country over the past 50 years. "China's supportive economic and trade policies, especially in the areas of trade in financial services, have offered global companies more access, prompting Orix to add more investment and expand its market presence across the country," he said. Xi's call to implement the new development philosophy, foster a new development paradigm and build up the country's strength in science and technology has also boosted business confidence over the prospects for the Chinese economy powered by innovation, technological breakthroughs and new types of business. "It was moving and inspiring to hear President Xi's speech. China has made tremendous progress into a technological powerhouse and the digital revolution, characterized by the rapid maturation of technologies such as AI, 5G, cloud computing and blockchain, will profoundly transform our country in various ways by bolstering productivity," said Da Hongfei, CEO of Onchain, a blockchain technology startup. Shao Changnan, chairman of Dalian, Liaoning province-based DHI-DCW Group Co Ltd, a State-owned manufacturer of machinery equipment, said that Xi's speech was encouraging and the company will further accelerate the upgrading of its technologies to produce more intelligent industrial equipment and contribute to China's target to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Zhang Feng, CEO of Dmall, a Chinese fresh grocery digital platform, said that the company will strive to seize opportunities emerging in the global development of the digital economy and sharpen its advantages in the digitalization of retail sales to contribute to the country's high-quality development and meet the people's desire for a better life. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Bonds with people key to CPC success China Daily) 09:48, July 04, 2021 British expert says achievements of Party 'unprecedented in human history' Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC in Beijing, July 1, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] On the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, overseas experts say the Party's popularity will continue to grow across the country as it is deeply rooted in the people and serves the needs of the people. Speaking at a grand gathering to mark the centenary of the CPC in Beijing on Thursday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said: "This country is its people; the people are the country. As we have fought to establish and consolidate our leadership over the country, we have in fact been fighting to earn and keep the people's support." He added: "The Party has in the people its roots, its lifeblood, and its source of strength. The Party has always represented the fundamental interests of all Chinese people; it stands with them through thick and thin and shares a common fate with them." The success of the CPC lies in the simple fact that "it has heard the people and delivers the people's realistic needs", said Stephen Perry, chairman of The 48 Group Club, an independent business network group committed to promoting trade and cultural links between the United Kingdom and China. "China has transitioned from the 'sick man of Asia' to a leading global nation in those 100 years. This is due to the hard work and sacrifice of the people of China and the CPC leadership based on hearing the people and developing realistic steps to rebuild China," he told China Daily. "Without the people, this could not be achieved, and without the CPC this could not be achieved," he added. "The CPC has used hard work and commitment to find the right paths and been brave in innovation." Since it was established in July 1921, the CPC has led China to transform from a large but poor and weak nation to the world's second-largest economy, lifting about 770 million of its people out of poverty. "This is unprecedented in human history and unprecedented in world history," Perry said, adding: "China's management of the planned economy is unique and marrying it with the market economy is a great innovation which many nations will benefit from over time." "The CPC has 95 million members and it is a base for selfless commitment to helping China find its rejuvenation targets and help other nations who seek help," he said. A study published by Harvard University last July showed that the CPC-led Chinese government enjoys a high rate of support and satisfaction among the Chinese people, at a rate of more than 93 percent. "With achievements like that, it would be most surprising if it did not, because to transform the living conditions, the quality, and the expectations of society and the Chinese people, has created entirely new possibilities for its population," said Martin Jacques, a leading British Sinologist. "If a party or a government is capable of doing it, it's going to be enormously popular. There is nowhere else in the world probably that could achieve these kind of levels of satisfaction, so I do not think we should be surprised by it," he said during an interview with China Daily. George Koo, a retired international business adviser in Silicon Valley, the United States, and a political commentator, agreed. "The most obvious success of the CPC is the fact that they have taken care of all the people in China. By taking care of all the people, they have popular support, the overwhelming percentage of support, like no other government or party has been able to enjoy anywhere in the world." Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said unity between the Party and the people is crucial for China's development. "Over the last century, the CPC has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of pursuing the well-being of the Chinese people, leading them in an arduous and never-ending struggle that has resulted in fundamental changes not only in the destiny and future of the Chinese people and nation, but also in the destiny and future of the peoples and nations in the region and the world." In his speech on Thursday, Xi also said that "a hallmark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties is its courage in undertaking self-reform". Jacques agreed that the ability to reform is another reason that the CPC has achieved so much. "The CPC has this extraordinary reforming capacity," he said. "One of the things that the CPC has been remarkably good at is moving with the times. It understands the dynamics of the society and moving with it, and therefore being able to change the direction whenever it needs to change." As an example of the reform-oriented mindset, Jacques noted how late leader Deng Xiaoping had realized that the centralized economic governance system was hindering China's economy before the 1980s. Deng led the nation to embrace the market as integral to China's socialist system, and ultimately, the nation was integrated into the global economy. "That was a very bold thing to do, and bore enormous fruits. That has transported China from being a very poor country where most people were poor, to a situation where it has abolished extreme poverty and become the largest economy in the world measured by GDP purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank," he added. On the basis of these achievements, Jacques believes that China has moved from being the recipient of the global order to increasingly become proactive and the shaper of the global order. Jacques said he expects the popularity of the CPC to grow further, "because as China becomes a global power, the prestige and status of China and the Chinese is going to rise, and that in its turn will reflect very well on the popularity of the CPC". Christopher Bovis, a professor of international business law at the University of Hull in the UK, said: "The reforms of China's economic system and society confirm policy directions, which are based on market-based resource allocation, a pivotal role for public ownership, and a strong emphasis on industrial policies and science and technology to achieve the goals of socialist modernization." "Chinese people are receiving loud and clear such messages and endorse the political system at large," Bovis told China Daily. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Senior official urges public communication personnel to study Xi's CPC centenary speech Xinhua) 09:53, July 04, 2021 Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, addresses a teleconference on studying, publicizing, and implementing the guiding principles of the important speech by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, at the ceremony on July 1 marking the Party's centenary, in Beijing, capital of China, July 3, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Huang Kunming has called on people working in public communication to thoroughly study an important speech by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, at the ceremony marking the Party's centenary on July 1. Huang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a teleconference Saturday. Huang stressed gaining a profound understanding of the spirit of Xi's speech, precisely grasping the requirements in practice and generating enthusiasm for people to study the speech and implement its guiding principles. He called for efforts to publicize the great feat of realizing the first centenary goal and the principle of learning from history to create a bright future on a new journey toward socialist modernization. Huang also emphasized the need to coordinate learning, public communication, elaboration, and international communication of the speech and encourage the Party and the Chinese people to continue to make new achievements. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Macao SAR govt slams US report on human trafficking as biased and groundless Global Times) 10:47, July 04, 2021 Photo taken on Dec 17, 2019 shows a street in Macao. [Photo/Xinhua] Security authorities in the Macao Special Autonomous Region (SAR) expressed strong opposition to a US report released Friday on human trafficking, which put Macao on the tier-2 watch list, saying that the report did not reflect the real situation, and has "biased interpretations and groundless assumptions." Macao has witnessed a continuous zero or low rate of human trafficking cases, thanks to continuous efforts made to crack down on such crimes, the authorities noted. The 2021 Human Trafficking in Persons report of the US ranked the Macao SAR as on the Tier 2 Watch List, saying that the government of Macao does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it is to make significant efforts to do so. In response, the Office of the Secretary for Security of the Macao expressed strong opposition to the reference relating to Macao carried in the report, as they are "extremely unreasonable and unacceptable." The Macao government's law-enforcement efforts in combating human trafficking has been effectively carried out under the supervision of the local judiciary. The decline in cases - relating to human trafficking and labor exploitation - recorded in recent years, demonstrates the efficient collaboration between the government and local communities, the office said. The self-styled report, nonetheless, has for years continuously ignored objective facts by giving wrong interpretations, false deductions and unreasonable speculation. This is especially seen by its bias against Macao's legal system and independent judiciary system, and the false accusations about the efficacy of Macao's governance, the office noted. The Macao government has formulated the relevant pieces of legislation and mechanisms for coordination and enforcement in this regard. The Macao security authorities will closely collaborate with the judicial authorities to carry out necessary preventive and investigative work, as well as stepping up international and regional exchanges and cooperation, in order to explore joint strategies to prevent and combat any form of human trafficking and exploitation, according to the office. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) China renews blue alert for rainstorms Xinhua) 10:51, July 04, 2021 BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in parts of the country. From 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, heavy rainfall and rainstorms are expected in parts of the provincial-level regions including Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Tibet and Chongqing, according to the center. The center warned that some areas of Jiangsu and Anhui will experience downpours with up to 150 mm of rainfall during the period. Some regions will also see thunderstorms, strong winds and hail, the center said. It advised local authorities to remain alert for possible flooding, landslides and mudslides and recommended halting outdoor operations in hazardous areas. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Study: Effective vaccine response among young China Daily) 10:54, July 04, 2021 A staff member displays samples of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine at Sinovac Biotech Ltd, in Beijing, March 16, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] The domestic COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech is safe and can elicit a strong antibody response in people aged 3 to 17 in early and mid-stage clinical trials, according to a study published recently in a medical journal. The study is the world's first that examines the safety and protection effects of a COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 3 years old. It also came as the spread of highly transmissible variants worldwide has prompted calls for accelerating mass immunization, and more countries are considering expanding the use of vaccines to cover young people, including China. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Disease this week, enrolled 72 children and adolescents during the phase 1 trial from late October to early December, and enrolled 480 participants during the phase 2 in December. Both trials were conducted in Hebei province. Participants were given two doses of the vaccine in either 1.5 micrograms or 3 micrograms per dose, or a placebo during the double-blind, randomized clinical trial. No significant differences were observed in the rates of adverse reaction among the three groups, and the majority of adverse effects were mild or moderate, with pain at the injection site the most common, the study said. In phase 1, all vaccinated participants produced antibodies against the virus. In phase 2, a total of 96.8 percent of people in the 1.5 microgram group generated antibodies, compared with 100 percent in the 3 microgram group. The study concluded that the vaccine's seroconversion ratethe proportion of people developing neutralizing antibodies against the virus after inoculationwas above 96 percent among those aged 3 to 17. Because a higher amount of antibodieswhich signals a stronger immune responsewas detected among people receiving the higher dose of 3 micrograms, researchers said future work can focus on the use of two doses at 3 micrograms among the younger population. The study added that compared with adults and the elderly vaccinated with the same dosage, the younger population is capable of mounting a more robust antibody response. The finding that the vaccine-triggered immune response declines with rising age is in alignment with widely used vaccines against hepatitis B, seasonal influenza and others. Researchers said the study was limited, in that the sample size was relatively small, and long-term results are currently unavailable. The study also did not assess T-cell responses, another important marker of immune response. They said the participants in the study will be followed for at least a year, and larger trials in different regions and involving more diverse groups will be conducted in the future. Researchers from the provincial and county-level disease control and prevention centers in Hebei, as well as those from Sinovac Biotech and the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, jointly published the study. Although children are believed to be less likely to develop severe COVID-19 infections, a number of countries have started extending inoculations amid a raging pandemic. "A small number of them may be still at risk of severe illness. They can also transmit the virus to others, making it vital to test the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in younger age groups," said Gao Qiang, general manager of Sinovac Biotech. Zhong Nanshan, a top infectious disease expert, said in an earlier interview that during the recent outbreaks in Guangdong province that were caused by the Delta variant, some serious cases were found in the elderly and children, pointing to the need to step up immunization among them. China's mass vaccination strategy started with a focus on people aged 18-59, and has gradually expanded to include seniors at 60 or above. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Iranian President demands U.S. apology for downing Iranian airliner in 1988 Xinhua) 11:18, July 04, 2021 TEHRAN, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized on Saturday the lack of apology from the U.S. government for more than three decades for downing an Iranian airliner in 1988, official news agency IRNA reported. "The U.S. government has to know that it committed a very big crime in the Gulf in 1988," Rouhani said in a meeting. U.S. apologies, compensation, and an explanation about the reason why awards were given to "the killers and perpetrators of this great crime" are still expected, Rouhani noted. On July 3, 1988, a surface-to-air missile fired from a U.S. warship stationed in the Gulf hit an Airbus A300 from Iran's capital Tehran to Dubai, killing all 290 passengers on board. Washington claimed that its forces were acting in self-defense after having mistaken the airliner for a F-14 Tomcat jet fighter. The crew of the U.S. ship received awards at the end of their mission. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) HK, Macao youth vow to contribute to rejuvenation China Daily) 13:12, July 04, 2021 Young people from Hong Kong and Macao work at a business incubation center in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, on April 17, 2021. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily] Young people from Hong Kong and Macao said on Friday that the speech made by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, at the centenary celebration of CPC has spurred them on to carry on capitalizing on the strengths of the two special administrative regions to serve the country's needs. Their remarks followed Xi's appeal to the nation's young people to "make it their mission to contribute to national rejuvenation", like generation after generation of young Chinese over the past 100 years who devoted their youth to the cause of the CPC and the people and remained in "the vanguard of the drive to rejuvenate the nation". Inspired by Xi's roundup of the CPC's achievements in improving people's livelihoods, Kwok Waikeung, a legislator and chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Power Association, called on patriots in Hong Kong to shoulder responsibility and unite and carry forward the spirit of striving for the well-being of the people. Kwok said the SAR should quickly take care of its thorny issues and contribute to the nation's overall development. Nixie Lam Lam, a former district councilor and member of the United Nations Association of China, was in Beijing with a delegation of over 70 people from Hong Kong to attend the centenary celebration. She said she was impressed by the achievements made through concerted efforts by generations of Chinese people over the past 100 years. Expressing her pride of being at the event, she said she looked forward to what the nation could achieve in the next 100 years with the efforts of the Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong. Chim Shing, vice-president of the Hong Kong United Youth Association, said that Xi's speech served not only as an important guideline for Hong Kong's young people but also gave a direction for the city's education, arts and media sectors, which have a great impact on the city's youth. He envisaged that young people in Hong Kong could come into contact with more artistic and cultural content with correct values such as law-abiding awareness and lofty ideals, in a bid to help them foster a sense of pride and confidence as Chinese people, as Xi expected. On the other side of the Pearl River estuary, President of the Macao Youth Volunteers Association Pui Seng-in, said Xi's call for "learning from history" encouraged him to stay true to his initial aspiration of serving the people. Pui said he will join hands with more Macao young volunteers to contribute to the development of the "one country, two systems" cause and building a great modern socialist country under the leadership of the CPC. Vong Keng-hei, a Macao member of the All China Youth Federation, said he felt incomparably proud as Xi announced that China has realized the first centenary goal of "building a moderately prosperous society in all respects". He said that the achievements of the CPC over the past 100 years show that the Party has always been people-centered. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Guangdong reopens after containing latest outbreaks without losing one single life Global Times) 13:16, July 04, 2021 Epidemic-hit cities in South China's Guangdong Province are eyeing gradual reopening as the virus has been brought under control with no cases being reported the last ten days as of Friday. Residents in Guangzhou and Foshan do not need to provide negative nucleic acid test results from within the last 48 hours before they leave the province's cities since Saturday, the Guangdong health authority said. For other Guangdong residents except those living in Shenzhen and Dongguan, negative nucleic acid test results from within the last 72 hours are no longer required for them to leave the province, according to the authority. The government of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, announced the reopening of the city with restrictions on Friday, requiring some closed public places, including cinemas, theaters and indoor stadiums, to reopen with a 75 percent capacity limit. An expert team under China's joint prevention and control mechanism have also withdrawn from Guangdong on Friday due to the situation dying down, media reported. Since May 21, Guangdong has experienced three separate outbreaks in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan, all caused by imported virus variants including the Delta strain first discovered in India, the Guangdong provincial government said Thursday, noting that none of the cases discovered during the outbreaks have died. From June 22 to 29, after finishing citywide screening, the three virus-hit areas conducted another 60 million nucleic acid tests on high risk groups, no positive results were found, according to the Guangdong provincial government. As of now, the epidemic situations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen have been successfully brought under control. In Dongguan, no community transmission has occurred due to rapid responses and timely management, the government said. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) US' Indo-Pacific Strategy a regression of history, should be swept into dustbin: Wang Yi Global Times) 13:20, July 04, 2021 Photo: Global Times Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday expounded China's rising confidence and global role in international affairs, criticized the US and some of its allies for their outdated Cold War mentality, and emphasized the importance of upholding multilateralism and abandoning zero-sum game mentality in dealing with challenges faced by all countries. Wang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 9th World Peace Forum organized by Tsinghua University and Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. As the world faces rising uncertainty and unilateralism, the theme of the forum this year is "International Security Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era: Upholding and Practicing Multilateralism." The role of China and the Communist Party of China (CPC) was highlighted during the forum. "The CPC will never seek hegemony and will never engage in expansionism. For a century, the CPC has always adhered to fairness and justice, and has been unremittingly promoting the freedom and liberation of human being," Wang stressed. The CPC just celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 1. The CPC has always believed that all countries, no matter big or small, should be equal and it has opposed bullying the weak. The party adheres to peaceful development and safeguards world peace and stability and will make greater contributions to the cause of human progress and world peace and security, Wang said. Wang also criticized the US on the Taiwan question. He said "the US is trying to take risks on the Taiwan question. This is extremely wrong and dangerous. Achieving complete reunification of China is a historical trend and any person or force cannot stop it." When it comes to Hong Kong, Wang mentioned that the chaos in Hong Kong is "due to some political forces' collusion with external forces. The central government cannot sit by and do nothing. Improving the electoral system [in Hong Kong] is entirely justified and rational, and the 'one country, two systems' will surely be stable and far-reaching." "Today's China is no longer the same country 100 years ago," Wang said. While China has contributed to fighting unilateralism and promoting peace and stability, the US has played a quite different role worldwide. In the face of the COVID-19 fight, the US pursued vaccine nationalism while China has made great contributions by providing vaccines to other countries. So far, China has provided more than 480 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines across the world, covering nearly 100 countries, Wang said. As for the Korean Peninsula issue, Wang urged Washington to reflect on the continuous pressure it has been exerting on North Korea over the past few decades and to resolve the issue with sincerity. Sung Kim, US special envoy for North Korea, had talks with Noh Kyu-duk, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, on June 21. Kim has offered to meet officials from Pyongyang "anywhere, anytime" but he also said that the US will continue to enforce UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program and urged other countries to do the same. Wang also called on the US to not just "pass the buck to others and walk away. As a friendly neighbor, China has always adhered to the Afghan peaceful reconciliation process led by Afghan people themselves." On the Iranian nuclear issue, Wang said the US' unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and exerting its maximum pressure on Iran are the root causes of the current Iranian nuclear crisis. As another example of harming world peace and stability, Wang also cited the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy as an example, calling it a "regression of history that should be swept into the dustbin." "Dreaming the old dream of Cold War hegemony will not help win a promising future, let alone building a better world," Wang said. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) UK reports another 24,885 coronavirus cases Xinhua) 13:33, July 04, 2021 LONDON, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Britain has reported another 24,885 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,879,616, according to official figures released Saturday. The country also recorded another 18 coronavirus-related death. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 128,207. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. More than 45.1 million people in Britain have received the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 33.4 million people have received two doses, the official figures showed. The latest data were revealed as the British government is considering revising the quarantine rules as more and more people are vaccinated. Dropping all legal requirements to self-isolate for fully vaccinated people who have come into contact with someone who is infected is being considered by the government "as part of the post-Step 4 world", Sky news reported Saturday. Meanwhile, more than 600,000 positive COVID-19 samples have now been genomically sequenced in Britain by July 2, which provides invaluable data that will support decisions to relax social distancing in the future and help monitor for future variants and infectious disease threats, according to the country's Department of Health and Social Care. Genomic sequencing is laboratory analysis that identifies a virus's genetic make-up, allowing new variants or mutations in existing variants to be detected. Since May 2020, a nationwide study led by the University of Edinburgh as part of the GenOMICC consortium and in partnership with Genomics England has been trying to find out why some people who have had COVID-19 became extremely ill and needed hospitalization while others experienced fewer or no symptoms. To date, over 8,400 people who tested positive with COVID-19 but did not need to go to hospital have volunteered to take part, and the preliminary results of the study have already identified possible new treatments to fight the virus, which are in clinical trials, the department said. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Bianji) Supported by Blancpain, the Tamataroa project (the local name of the Great Hammerhead Shark in French Polynesia), is a three-year initiative with the objective of studying the ecology of this endangered species in order to initiate protection protocols in French Polynesia and along the sharks migratory routes. Blancpain unveils a series of video blogs created by Laurent Ballesta and the Gombessa team, who joined forces with the Mokarran Protection Society headed by Jean-Marie Jeandel. Two major additional expeditions will follow, which will take place in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Tamataroa mission Blancpain In 2014, Marc A. Hayek became a certified technical diver. At the end of his last test dive to achieve the certification, a massive Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran) suddenly appeared from the deep, and whilst passing through the close vicinity of Mr. Hayek, there was a brief exchange of eye contact. This intense moment of welcome, by an animal considered the guardian of the pass by the locals, profoundly touched Blancpain's President & CEO. the Mokarran Protection Society (MPS) Blancpain It became inconceivable to him that this encounter could be the last, especially considering that this mysterious and quite elusive species is listed on the IUCN's Red List as endangered worldwide, with a decreasing population and a very high risk of extinction. As a result, Blancpain, and Marc A. Hayek on a personal level, decided to take action. Tamataroa mission Blancpain The first step was to support the creation of a local association the Mokarran Protection Society (MPS) to focus on the study of the current situation in French Polynesia; the area is a crucial region for this species but knowledge of the Great Hammerhead's ecology is extremely limited. The first two observation and research missions of the Mokarran Protection Society have broughtforth the necessary data to motivate and support a much more ambitious three-year project conducted together with Laurent Ballesta and his Gombessa Expeditions team. Mokarran Protection Society (MPS) Blancpain This consortium, brought together by Blancpain, will benefit from the scientific expertise of renowned shark specialists from the US, Europe, and Australia. This was also the case during the Gombessa IV expedition, which generated an impressive number of scientific findings, including the revelation, for the very first time, of a collaborative hunting behavior for the grey reef sharks. The prominent 700 Sharks into the Dark documentary film has received more than 70 international awards, which also included nomination for the Emmy Awards. Mokarran Protection Society (MPS) Blancpain The intention of the new project, Tamataroa, is to generate knowledge, understanding and awareness. Furthermore, it hopes to deliver a concrete management tool for the regional and international authorities enabling them to provide effective protection of the Sphyrna mokarranin French Polynesia and other regions, as this is a highly migratory species. It will also provide a major contribution to the world acoustic detection network, as well as innovative research protocols for the study of this and other shark species. By Wu Dahui On the afternoon of June 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video meeting and delivered the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on the 20th Anniversary of the Signing of China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The two heads of state made the top-level design for the future development of bilateral relations. The Joint Statement injected new connotations into the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and drew out a new world landscape at a new starting point. In recent years, the US has viewed the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, a stabilizer and ballast in the world, as a thorn in the flesh. Not long before, Putin said sharply that there are all sorts of attempts to sabotage the China-Russia relationship and they are being materialized in specific policies, but Russia values the relation with China just as much as China values it. Putin has on many public occasions refuted the Wests stigmatization of China on issues related to the COVID-19 epidemic and Xinjiang. As President Xi said, the current China-Russia ties are mature, stable and solid, able to withstand the test of any change in the international situation. The two sides firmly support each other on issues concerning each others core interests and have carried out effective strategic coordination, strongly safeguarding the common interests of the two countries. Ever since the two sides forged the strategic partnership of coordination in 1996, there is always some country scheming to drive a wedge between them, even blatantly hyping up Chinas growth and rise as a threat to Russia. Well, such a fallacy may take a rest. The practices of China-Russia strategic coordination have seen the two countries forming a good-neighborly relationship of mutual trust and support, but some American and European politicians just wouldnt stop smearing their cooperation as expedient and a paper house. As a matter of fact, the strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow has withstood the test of risks and challenges and emerged ever stronger with great momentum. The firmness of bilateral relations was once again manifested by the recent joint statement as they both underscored that Russia needs a prosperous and stable China and China needs a powerful and successful Russia. The two sides agreed to continue mutual visits between the two heads of state and official exchanges on various levels. They especially expressed their willingness to further deepen the mil-to-mil cooperation, including having regular meetings between military leaders, increasing the quantity and scale of joint exercises and training, intensifying communication between their theaters, services and arms, improving the legal foundation for military cooperation, and expanding cooperation in military education. In the post-COVID era when certain countries are hyping major-country competition and confrontation and upholding zero-sum game, and when signs of power politics are on the rise in international relations, the Chinese and Russian militaries are committed to further enhancing their cooperation and global strategic coordination. Pragmatic cooperation between China and Russia is essential for world peace and development in the post-COVID era. During the recent meeting, the two heads of state focused on bilateral practical cooperation in specific areas. The Joint Statement made a long list of cooperation areas, ranging from trade, energy, finance and economy to information communication, aviation and aerospace, and sci-tech innovation; from cross-border transportation, boundary river management and sustainable development of the North Pole to the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Great Eurasian Partnership. At present, the US and its allies are having massive military exercises in the Black Sea region, and western countries are smearing the human rights situation in China at the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The world is going through a period of turmoil and changes when instability and uncertainties are mounting. Judging from the current strategic security situation, the two presidents agreed that a more just and democratic international order must be established, and the two countries should be more coordinated in their foreign policies. They emphasized that any so-called system or order detached from the UN and international law is no more than a small clique, and they will jointly defend the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law. They also opposed any attempt to seek geopolitical interests by taking advantage of the epidemic and will support the WHO in playing a central, coordinating role in the fight against the coronavirus. China and Russia resolutely support each others reasonable political initiatives. China endorses the Russia-initiated summit of the five permanent members to the UN Security Council; Russia comments positively on the China-proposed vision of building a community of shared future for mankind and supports China in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Russia also bolsters Chinas Global Initiative on Data Security their cooperation in this area will foil the attempt to privatize global data as American property. The two countries also jointly upheld, for the first time, the common human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. In recent years, the US has been developing nuclear weapons with adjustable equivalents, which lowers the threshold of using nuclear weapons. The Joint Statement pointed out that a nuclear war cannot be won or fought. It should never be launchedUtmost efforts must be made to avoid any military conflict between any nuclear weapon states. After retreating from the INF Treaty, the US has been actively seeking to deploy intermediate-range guided missile weapons in the Asia-Pacific and Europe, posing security risks to the region and the world at large. At the recent meeting, Chinese and Russian presidents voiced their common concern to the world the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty doesnt give the US free rein on the deployment of intermediate-range weapons. The meeting between Chinese and Russian presidents has captured extensive attention in the international community. Many western media focused on the extension of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, in which Article 9 reads, When a situation arises in which one of the contracting parties deems that peace is being threatened and undermined or its security interests are involved or when it is confronted with the threat of aggression, the contracting parties shall immediately hold contacts and consultations in order to eliminate such threats. Some said that the meeting indicated a China-Russia relation thats not an alliance but more than one. (The author is deputy director of the Institute of Russian Studies, Tsinghua University) During the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, fifteen J-20 fighter jets flew over Tian'anmen Square, being the first time that the J-20 fighter jet has flown over Tian'anmen Square on such a large scale. Previously in the military parade at Zhurihe training base, the air force sent a three-aircraft formation, and in the 2019 National Day parade, a five-aircraft formation. The sheer number of aircraft dispatched this time is not only the first of its kind for military parades and celebrations in China, but also a rarity in the world. Military expert Fu Qianshao said in an interview that such a number is quite amazing. It is almost impossible to see 15 stealth fighter jets at a foreign air show or a military parade, which demonstrates that China has mastered the mature technology of China's J-20 fighter jets and has entered the mass production stage. Fu said that in accordance with the practice of relevant activities, there will be more backup ground aircraft, some of which will even also take off and accompany the formation into the official displaying area. Of course, there are also some J-20 fighter jets that do not participate in activities and take on daily combat readiness tasks. Military expert Song Zhongping believes that the dispatch of 15 J-20 jets at one time shows that this advanced stealth fighter has been mass-produced and China is capable of mass-production. Song believes that more advanced and improved models of J-20 will appear in the future on the current basis. The increase in fighter jets also indicates the growth and expansion of new-generation pilots. In an interview with CCTV, a J-20 pilot said that in the past, pilots had to fly three generations of fighter jets before flying the most advanced ones after graduation. Now, the process is compressed. Many J-20 pilots interviewed by the media were very young. These young pilots showed good psychological quality and the spirit of a new generation of more open and confident PLA Air Force during the interview. Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Submit A 91-year-old Michigan City man sentenced last year to 20 years behind bars for child molesting is not entitled to any reduction in his prison term, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled. Russell Albano pleaded guilty to Class B felony child molesting after admitting he repeatedly fondled a now-adult woman while she was in kindergarten, first- and second-grade between 2000 and 2003, according to court records. WATCH NOW: 'Heroic' Region police dog retires after 8 years of patrolling the streets Records show the woman came forward after an 8-year-old girl told the Indiana Department of Child Services in January 2020 she was being molested by Albano. Under a plea deal, Albano only admitted guilt in connection with the earlier incident. Though records show he also acknowledged the accuracy of the claims of the more recent victim in a presentence investigation report submitted to the trial court. LaPorte Superior Judge Michael Bergerson sentenced Albano to the 20-year maximum sentence for a Class B felony. Albano argued in his appeal his prison term was inappropriate and out of proportion to the crime for which he was convicted. Specifically, Albano said he did not receive a substantial benefit from pleading guilty because he was sentenced to the maximum prison term, despite his advanced age and lack of prior criminal history. The appeals court was unpersuaded. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute In a 3-0 decision, it observed that Albano's plea helped him avoid a potential Class A felony child molesting charge and a 50-year maximum sentence. Moreover, the appellate judges said the sentence Albano received was warranted since he abused a position of trust to molest a child in his care over a number of years, and emotionally manipulated her to keep her from reporting his behavior to authorities. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Patrolling Lowell with Cpl. Aaron Crawford "Under the circumstances, a 20-year sentence is not disproportionate, nor does it shock public sentiment or violate the judgment of reasonable persons," the appeals court said. Albano still can request the Indiana Supreme Court review his case. Otherwise, his earliest possible release date, assuming good behavior, is April 14, 2030 two weeks before his 100th birthday according to the Indiana Department of Correction. Albano v. State ruling of Indiana Court of Appeals Get to know these new Indiana laws enacted in 2021 The Indiana Court of Appeals has unanimously affirmed the murder conviction of a Chicago man who fatally shot a woman in 2017 in Hammond, hours after she fought with the mother of his child at River Oaks Center in Calumet City. Lavell Holloway, 28, was convicted last year by a Lake Superior Court jury following a five-day trial and sentenced to 60 years in prison by Judge Samuel Cappas for the slaying of Kadejah Jackson, 21, in the 900 block of Becker Street. According to court records, Jackson and Kashena Hayes got into a physical altercation at the mall on the evening of Jan. 26, 2017, in part because Halloway was dating both women and previously had a child with Hayes. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun With NWI Paramedics Comes This Sunday Shortly after midnight, Hayes and Holloway drove up to Jackson's home, Holloway popped out of the passenger door, and fired 10 shots in approximately five seconds, striking Jackson twice and killing her, records show. An investigation by Hammond police found the gun used in the shooting on the passenger side floorboard of Holloway's car, a bullet casing from the shooting caught between the windshield and dashboard, and security footage from a neighbor's house showing a car pulling up outside Jackson's house, a man getting out, pointing a gun in Jackson's direction and quickly firing a series of shots. In his appeal, Holloway claimed the trial court erred by admitting testimony from Jackson's grandmother taken during a bail hearing instead of requiring her to testify in person, notwithstanding the trial court's finding she was unable to testify at trial due to dementia. He also said jurors should have been instructed to consider the lesser offense of reckless homicide because Holloway claimed there was "no aiming" and "no deliberation" during the offense, only "wild shooting." The appeals court rejected both arguments in a 3-0 decision. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Appeals Judge Edward Najam Jr. said regardless of whether it was right or wrong to include testimony from Jackson's absent grandmother at Holloway's trial, any error was harmless due to the other overwhelming evidence identifying Holloway as the shooter. WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops Patrolling Lowell with Cpl. Aaron Crawford As to reckless homicide, Najam said there was evidence Holloway had a motive to shoot Jackson following her altercation with Hayes at the mall. Jackson also was the only person shot by Holloway, suggesting that he "knowingly or intentionally" murdered her, rather than recklessly killed her, Najam said. Holloway still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to review the appellate decision. Otherwise, the earliest Holloway will be eligible for release, assuming good behavior, is Jan. 26, 2062, according to the Indiana Department of Correction. Records show Hayes, 28, pleaded guilty in February to voluntary manslaughter for her role in Jackson's death. She is serving 20 years in prison. Holloway v. State ruling of Indiana Court of Appeals Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail President of Georgia: Everyone has the right to freedom of expression By Veronika Malinboym President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili has commented on the controversy around the holding of Tbilisi Pride events scheduled for 1-5 July. She stated that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of the Tbilisi Pride participants are outlined in the countrys constitution and everyone has the freedom to express themselves within the countrys law:I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. Our inherent tolerance is part of our identity. This is what our country was built on and this is what its future development will be based on. Therefore, I also believe that everyone has the right to express themselves. They have a right to speak out and exercise their rights outlined in the constitution and within the norms established by the law. This is important for our country and our unity", the president said.Earlier today, the Ombudsman of Georgia has called for the law enforcement agents and government authorities to ensure the sufficient protection and security of the Tbilisi Pride participants. The countrys Ministry of Internal Affairs has already announced that it will personally take responsibility for it:Ministry of Internal Affairs would like to inform the public regarding preventive measures planned by the agency in connection with the scheduled events within the framework of Tbilisi Pride Week.In order to hold the event scheduled for July 1 in a safe environment, the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are in constant communication with the organizers of the event.The leader of the violent and homophobic group Levan Vasadze has already demanded the canceling of the march of dignity and gave the government a 10-day deadline, which expired on June 25. In addition, Vasadze urged the Georgian Dream to pass legislation restricting the freedom of expression promoting debauchery. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com . If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Well Ell went toe to toe with an Atlantic Champion and put his nose on the wire first in the Saturday evening (July 3) top class at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Trainer-driver Marc Campbell put Well Ell on the front from post 6 and posted tepid fractions of :27.3 and :56.2 before finding a third-quarter breather to hit that split in 1:26.2. That was when favourite and Atlantic-record holder Dustylanegoliath came calling first-over, and the talented pacers sprinted neck and neck for the final panel with Well Ell hitting the line a head in front in 1:54.4. Dustylanegoliath was second while Silverhill Buddy finished third. The winning son of Well Said is owned by Ryan and Everett MacLeod of Souris. Campbell had a pair of wins from his barn as 14-year-old veteran Eagle Jolt rallied up for a 1:57.4 win for owners Marie MacDonald of Stratford and Natasha Campbell of Winsloe. Daisy River controlled every step of the $2,700 Open Trot to win in 1:59 for driver Jason Hughes and owner-trainer William Lanigan of Montague. It was an all-mares triactor in the mixed class as Cheeky Little Mix finished a half length in arrears for second and Go With Her third. Live racing takes a 12-dash break at Red Shores Charlottetown as the capital oval gives way to Governors Plate week action at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway. The Prince County oval hosts an afternoon card on Sunday (July 4) as well as programs every evening at 6 P.M. (ADT) from Tuesday, July 6 straight through to Saturday, July 10. (Red Shores) To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park. Tech-driven ventures in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region could pay professionals more than double the current average salary, Crescent Enterprises Deputy CEO and Head of Investments Tushar Singhvi has said. Cultivating a tech start-up culture is key to driving economic as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) progress across Mena, he said. According to public policy think tank Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, tech-driven ventures in the US present more attractive opportunities for professionals, paying an average of $102,000, more than double the current US average of $48,000. With a mature tech start-up ecosystem, these opportunities could become a reality in Mena too, he said. ESG investing has been on the rise since the credit crunch of 2008. The current pandemic has accelerated the second surge of ESG-compliant investments, and tech companies represent a sizeable slice of the pie, he added. Globally, the tech innovation ecosystem is increasingly leaning towards ESG investing. More investors, while making profits, are consciously and conscientiously seeking a positive impact on society and the planet. According to a survey by insurance and pensions provider Aviva, 55% of investors said ESG factors have become a more important aspect of their investment decisions in the wake of Covid-19. By speeding up digitisation, Covid-19 has created an opportunity to rethink decision making around tech applications for the betterment of society and the planet. Corporations, big or small, can benefit from the value of tech to contribute to a more prosperous and greener future for the region. A World Economic Forum (WEF) forecast states that 60% of global GDP will be generated by digital businesses by 2022. Harnessing the dynamism of the tech start-up culture would enable Mena countries to achieve ambitious social and environmental sustainability targets. The regions ability to nurture homegrown entrepreneurs and import global tech start-ups will define our success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution across key sectors of the regional economy over the next five years, Singhvi added. Post-Covid-19, it is more crucial than ever that Mena economies represent places within which start-ups can succeed, and by doing so, help find innovative and inclusive ways to overcome social challenges in order to advance quality of life for everyone. Manju George, Head of Strategy, Platform on Digital Economy, World Economic Forum, commented: As more companies accelerate delivery on their ESG goals, digital technologies and new business models will be key enablers of success. Technology start-ups, like those enabled by Crescent Enterprises, can bring innovative and disruptive solutions for companies and countries to adopt and scale. The Forums Digital Transformation community supports companies to deliver long term business growth and net positive impacts for people and planet, including by building stronger connections with tech innovation ecosystems. Crescent Enterprises is a partner of WEF and a member of several WEF platforms, including Shaping the Future of Digital Economy and New Value Creation and Shaping the Future of Mobility. The company is also active on WEFs Covid Action Platform, joining forces with other stakeholders, including public sector institutions and global businesses, to help limit further disruption to lives and economies around the world. Singhvi is a member of several senior working groups engaged in projects related to digital transformation and digital inclusion, and he represented Crescent Enterprises on the Global Future Council on Digital Economy and New Value Creation. Singhvi, who made his remarks during an Endeavor UAE webinar for entrepreneurs and founders, added: Mena countries offer excellent opportunities for ambitious tech-enabled start-ups, but nurturing or attracting them and supporting them to thrive is the responsibility of not just the government. Because of the sheer scale and potential of the regions rapidly emerging economies, I believe Mena can become one of the most exciting regions for digital business to expand or launch. Managing Director of Endeavor UAE Noor Shawwa, said: As the world's leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs, it is Endeavors mission to help entrepreneurs as they scale-up their businesses. One of the core areas of support is the fundraising process where we connect entrepreneurs to key investors and partners such as CE-Ventures. We are pleased to continue facilitating discussions enabling our network of founders to gain access to investor capital and expertise. CE-Ventures targets start-ups that offer synergies with Crescent Enterprises operations across Supply Chain Tech, MedTech, Enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS). The corporate venture capital platform focuses on wide-ranging emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of things (IoT), and blockchain.-- TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, (Seha), the UAEs largest healthcare network, has partnered with the Clinical & Surgical Training Center at the University of Sharjah to introduce a new diploma programme for its workforce. The year-long Professional Diploma in Ultrasound aims to enhance the competencies and skills of sonographers and radiographers throughout the Seha network, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skillset required to standardise the practice of ultrasound across facilities. To complete the programme, participants will have attend a total of six modules four core and two electives, including but not limited to, Ultrasound Physics, Image Acquisition and Instrumentation; Abdominal Ultrasound; Kidney Male and Female Pelvis; Head & Neck Ultrasound; Vascular Ultrasound; Obstetric Ultrasound; Pediatric Ultrasound; MSK Ultrasound. The programme will adopt a hybrid teaching and learning method, with theory aspects being taught through online interactive sessions (lectures, case studies, video demonstration and Q&As) followed by one full day of in-person components for each module with real and simulated patients and mannequins. The hands-on training will be provided at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi, Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, and the Clinical & Surgical Training Center at the University of Sharjah. Dr Tarek Fathey, Group Chief Executive Officer, Seha, said: A significant part of our journey towards building the healthcare system of the future is to continue developing the skillset of our employees and empowering them to practice at the very best standards in line with international benchmarks. The latest addition of the programme with the University of Sharjah further strengthens our extensive medical education offerings, ensuring healthcare professionals are adept in the use of ultrasounds across the network. Prof Qutayba Vice Chancellor, Medical Colleges and Health Sciences, Dean of the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, mentioned: We are excited to launch the new Professional Diploma in Ultrasound with the UAEs largest healthcare network, Seha for their healthcare professionals. Through this programme, we look forward to equipping the candidates with the appropriate skillset to efficiently perform certain clinical practices, helping them develop critical thinking, analytical abilities, life-long learning, and the pursuit of higher level training. We wish all the participants great success. Prof. Nabil Sulaiman, Director of Clinical & Surgical Training Center said: Clinical & Surgical Training Centre, University of Sharjah has been developing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals for the last 11 years and has been a leader in delivering quality education and training. It is our immense pleasure to collaborate with Seha and hope that this programme will encourage and enable healthcare professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge to become leaders in this field. The Seha network offers its workforce an extensive medical education programme, with the most recent collaboration with Khalifa University of Science and Technology providing employees a clinical research programme. Seha also joint forces with the University of Manchester, one of the UKs leading and largest single-site universities, to deliver a Post-Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Medical and Health Education for Seha employees. The part-time, in-house education programme is being delivered by the universitys faculty and is accredited by The Academy of Medical Educators (AoME). -- TradeArabia News Service In week 25 this year, worldwide volume increased by 1% compared with the previous week. Worldwide capacity remained unchanged, according to WorldACD market data. On a regional level, the origin Middle East & South Asia did best with a volume increase of 5% week-over-week, while Africa experienced the largest decrease in volume (-7%). The average worldwide yield/rate in week 25 decreased compared with week 24, continuing the trend from previous weeks. -- TradeArabia News Service King Salman Energy Park (Spark), the regions only fully integrated energy hub, in cooperation with top maritime facility, International Maritime Industries (IMI), has signed an agreement with Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University (PMU) for collaboration in the training and development of young Saudi university students. The MoU between the three entities signifies their commitment to creating dedicated educational programmes in addition to providing training and development opportunities and engaging in research and development that will cultivate the skills and talent of young Saudi professionals as they prepare to enter the workforce. Spark President and CEO Saif Al Qahtani said: "The signing of the agreement with IMI and PMU highlights our strong commitment to social responsibility and the development of our nations workforce." "As we reach important milestones in our initial stages of development, we must continuously consider how we can be doing more to help young graduates find their passion and become productive members of our growing workforce. In our commitment to building a more sustainable future for the industry and the kingdom, this collaboration with IMI and PMU marks the beginning of many opportunities for other institutions and companies to work with us to encourage knowledge transfer and career development," he noted. Fathi K. Al-Saleem, the Chief Executive of IMI, said: "We are delighted to sign this ground-breaking agreement which enable us to leverage the academic excellence available at PMU to further our commitment towards supporting the career development of Saudi youth and the kingdom's future workforce." "Working with local educational institutes and technical and vocational training programs is a key factor in our localization strategy, to improve access to employment opportunities and innovative career paths," noted Al Saleem. "This agreement will support the development of our employees and their dependents by providing educational opportunities to them, while contributing to IMIs corporate development and social responsibility to the kingdom," he stated. According to him, the naval architecture and maritime engineering sector that IMI is creating will provide career openings in a brand-new industry in the kingdom. "The Saudi maritime industry is developing rapidly and we are proud to be a key catalyst in its growth, with our partners Spark and PMU," he added. In addition to the deal, PMU will also invest at Spark to develop a major training and education center over an area of 35,000 sqm. Operating as a satellite campus, the training and education centre will have the capacity to host 500 students and will offer both graduate and undergraduate training opportunities ranging from preparatory orientation to highly specialized programmes. Spark said the academic facility will be constructed in three phases, the first of which is scheduled to be inaugurated in 2023. Serving as a gateway upon which the worlds energy sector can build an integrated future, Spark supports the creation of training and development initiatives that pave the way forward for career development, especially for young local talent. As a catalyst for growth, Spark is committed to facilitating co-operation between national institutions and international investors to knowledge transfer opportunities for young graduates. Dr Issa Bin Hassan Al Ansari, President of Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University, said: "This partnership with Spark will contribute to the realization of the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives." Al Ansari also confirmed the establishment of a satellite campus for the University to be built at Spark with the aim of providing distinguished educational and academic services that are tailored based on its needs, in addition to providing training services in the fields of scientific research in energy and more. "The PMU has also signed another agreement with IMI to collaborate on the design and provision of dedicated training programs tailored to IMI employee needs," added Al Ansari.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the kingdom's wealth fund, Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been awarded the prestigious AS9100 certification, in recognition of its compliance with the quality management systems requirements for aviation, space, and defence. With this achievement, SAMI, a national champion of military industries localization, has joined the elite league of global organizations to obtain the coveted certification. This official recognition was achieved following the successful verification of SAMIs quality management system to ascertain that it conforms to the AS9100 international standard approved and monitored by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and the aviation, space, and defense industries. On the accomplishment, CEO Engineer Walid Abukhaled said: "We are proud of this new milestone that confirms the compliance of our quality systems with international standards while also demonstrating our industry leadership and excellence." The AS9100 certification follows a thorough review and audit process, including onsite auditor reviews and assessments. Very few companies in the world have obtained this certification, compared to other international quality certifications. "We are confident that this recognition will give a huge impetus to SAMIs ongoing endeavours to emerge as a top international defense company. "This achievement is also consistent with PIFs efforts through SAMI to localize cutting-edge technology and defense systems and build strategic economic partnerships to enhance the capabilities of Saudi Arabias military industries sector," he added.-TradeArabia News Service In line with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 objectives, Deloitte has launched a first-of-its-kind e-commerce bootcamp programme to upskill Saudi youths digital capabilities and enable them to connect, grow, and learn. This initiative seeks to compound the efforts already in place by KSA to prepare its young citizens for the digital revolution and the future of work, by creating a springboard for participants into exciting e-commerce careers and increasing their employment opportunities in the field. The Deloitte ecommerce bootcamp was officially launched by the visit of the Minister of Commerce and acting Minister of Media of Saudi Arabia, Dr Majid Al Qasabi and Deputy Minister of Commerce Dr Eman Al-Mutairi, along with Dr Abdullah Bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), Dr Esam Abdullah Al-Wagait, Head of NIC, Dr Mishari Al-Mishari, Deputy Director of NIC, and Eng. Saad Al Qarni, CEO of the SDAIA Academy. The programme was launched and conducted at the Deloitte Digital Centre in Riyadh which provided participants with state of the art digitisation tools as well as hands-on real-life experiences on Deloittes method of work. To deliver the programme, Deloitte collaborated with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the worlds leading cloud provider, and SAP, and developed a rich and diverse programme curriculum. The curriculum is delivered in hybrid format, in which training sessions focus on digital, STEM and analytical, and entrepreneurial skills. The sessions address the most relevant e-commerce topics in todays business landscape such as data analytics, digital marketing, cloud storage and software development, among others. Saudi Arabia conducts the largest number of electronic purchases in the GCC and the shift to e-commerce is mainly driven by the kingdoms young population, increasing broadband and smartphone penetration rates, and the government's growing focus on e-commerce, said Rashid Bashir, Government & Public Services Leader, Deloitte Middle East. The kingdom is in a strong position to capitalise on these trends to increase youth employment opportunities, spark a local startup and entrepreneurship mindset in the field, and attract global and regional players to operate in the kingdom, all of which are hinged on the supply of skilled Saudi youth which provides the necessary workforce to enable such transformation. Programme participants were hand-picked by Deloitte, AWS, and SAP following meticulous selection criteria. From a pool of more than seven thousand applications, the top performing 25 applicants were selected to be the first batch of the initial pilot version of the programme. Omar Haj Saleh, Public Sector Lead, AWS, Saudi Arabia, said: It was a great pleasure to contribute to this boot camp by providing essential cloud skills learning to support Saudi Arabias youth in driving successful e-commerce businesses. The trainees benefitted from learning easy-to-use AWS cloud solutions that can support their e-commerce capabilities. The participants were given hands-on workshops covering customer engagement services, as well as advanced technologies like machine learning and data analytics to enable them to forecast, analyse marketing campaigns, and build personalised shopping experiences. We look forward to continuing to support important initiatives in Saudi Arabia that empower the youth with technology skills. Developing in-demand digital skills in Saudi Arabia is a key focus area for SAP through our SAP Digital Skills Training programme. SAP and Deloitte, collaboratively deliver this eCommerce Bootcamp which equips participants with the skills needed to accelerate digital and e-commerce transformations in Saudi Arabia and empowers them to become SAP Certified Application Associates - SAP Commerce Cloud Business User, said Ahmed Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, SAP Middle East North. In addition to delivering the technical training, we also engaged Saudis next generation of decision-makers with a unique workshop to develop their innovation mindset and capabilities through the SAP Innovate to Win programme.-- TradeArabia News Service A gigantic iridescent, oil drill-shaped sculpture by Kuwaiti artist Monira Al Qadiri has launched Expo 2020 Dubais striking Public Art Programme, which brings together 11 leading artists from the UAE, region and the world. Alongside Al Qadiri, the commissioned artists are Hamra Abbas, Afra Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Abdullah Al Saadi, Asma Belhamar, Olafur Eliasson, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Khalil Rabah, Yinka Shonibare and Haegue Yang. The immersive 11 contemporary artworks will form a creative journey around Expo 2020s public spaces and will live on as part of the future city of District 2020. As the first curated permanent open-air art exhibition in the UAE, it will leave a lasting impact as part of the next World Expos legacy, provide an exciting addition to the UAEs vibrant and thriving artistic scene, and boost Dubais position on the global cultural map. The Public Art Programme of Expo 2020 Dubai takes inspiration from the famous Arab mathematician, astronomer, and physicist Ibn Al Haythams seminal work, Book of Optics (c. 11th century). Ibn Al Haytham has been called the father of modern optics for his significant theories and foundational principles of optics and visual perception. The concept of the programme provides a prism to view contemporary art creations and a context that allows an exploration of the philosophical aspect of Ibn Al Haythams theories on visual perception, including his definitions of vision, recognition and the impossibility of envisioning a full picture of reality within oneself, without the power of imagination. Tarek Abou El Fetouh, Public Art Curator, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: We are thrilled to be launching the Public Art Programme with Chimera by artist Monira Al Qadiri. Her bold sculpture with its magnified size and reflective colour makes it seem like a futuristic creature from outer space. Through this sculpture, the artist attempts to merge the pre- and post-oil eras into one body. She creates aesthetic connections between pearls and oil, through their colour, materiality, symbolism, ecology and economy in order to reimagine the past, present and future of the wider Gulf region. With 191 participating countries showcasing their arts and creativity, Expo 2020 will offer an unmissable opportunity for the public to discover a unique global collection of galleries and exhibitions in one place, while the Public Art Programme presents never-before-seen artworks for visitors to engage with during the next World Expo and beyond. Al Qadiri said: I am very proud to be among the 11 artists from around the world selected to be part of this programme that invites visitors to access new perspectives through art in public space. Located across the Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability districts and Expo 2020s two parks, the artworks will form landmarks on-site and become a permanent part of District 2020, a model global community for the future that will evolve from Expo 2020. Expo 2020 will run from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, inviting visitors from every corner of the globe to discover a wide range of cultural and artistic initiatives dedicated to broadening horizons and bringing people, communities and nations together. -- TradeArabia News Service Editor's Note: Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has worked with all other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, which has boosted confidence and added impetus for development of Asia and the world. For the celebration of the 100th funding anniversary of the CPC, we are launching the CPC in eyes of foreign military students series, viewing China and CPC from the perspective of foreign soldiers. By Togolese Army Major Gnandi Kondi "Ninety-five percent", I remember this number very clearly. According to the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer report released by Edelman, a world-renowned public relations company, the Chinese people's trust in the government has risen to 95 percent after the COVID-19 pandemic, ranking first among the countries surveyed. This is a very convincing figure. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of Chinese people fought side by side and overcame the difficulties together under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Many CPC members risked their lives to rush to the anti-pandemic frontline, and some even sacrificed their precious lives. In 2014 and 2018, I went to China for training twice as a foreign military cadet. The longer I stayed in China, the more I knew about the CPC. What I particularly admire is that the CPC always stays true to its original aspiration and founding mission and serves the people wholeheartedly. I visited Chongqing Hongyan Revolution History Museum when attending a training course at the PLA Army Logistics University. There are many valuable documents and historical pictures in this museum. I learnt that many patriots united and fought bravely under the leadership of the CPC. Since its founding in 1921, the CPC has embarked on the path of striving for national independence, and seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. In China today, Ive seen the extensive public transportation networks in cities, and experienced the convenience of mobile payment and online shopping and rapid changes every day. "To meet our people's desire for a happy life is our mission." The CPC keeps its promise. Tens of millions of CPC members have united and worked in succession to fulfill the Partys promise, and earth-shaking changes have happened in the living conditions of the Chinese people. CPC has won respect and recognition of the international community. As a century-old party, why has the CPC always been supported by the Chinese people? I think a substantial reason is that it has always been at the forefront of the times in the historical process of dealing with various risks and tests and has become the backbone of all the Chinese people. (This article is based on an interview by the PLA Daily with Togolese Army Major Gnandi Kondi, who had once studied at China's PLA Army Logistics University.) The Vatican Press Office reports it is a "planned operation". Hospitalized on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic, in the same hospital room as John Paul II. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis was hospitalized this afternoon at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome for colon surgery. A note from the director of the Vatican Press Office Matteo Bruni reports that the pope "will undergo a scheduled surgery for a symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon. The surgery will be performed by Professor Sergio Alfieri", who at Gemelli is in charge of the department of abdomen surgery. This morning the pontiff had looked out as every Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Angelus prayer during which he had announced a new apostolic journey to Hungary and Slovakia scheduled from 11 to 15 September. Pope Francis arrived at the Gemelli Polyclinic around 3 pm, where he was hospitalized in the room on the tenth floor where John Paul II also spent his hospital stays. A medical bulletin on his condition after surgery is expected. But then the pops grew louder into a cacophony of more than 30 gunshots that ripped through the night, striking walls, doors and other surfaces of more than a half dozen apartments. Addison dove to the floor of her bathroom. Her 19-year-old son, a recent graduate of Annapolis High School, did the same in his second-floor bedroom where he was playing video games. The FBI said in a statement Sunday that it was investigating the attack along with the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, though the scale of this incident may make it so that we are unable to respond to each victim individually. Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger later issued a statement saying President Joe Biden had directed the full resources of the government to investigate this incident and urged all who believed they were compromised to alert the FBI. The celebration also included a barbecue honoring attendees a group of first responders, essential workers and service members, nearly all of whom were vaccinated and able to go without masks in accordance with guidance released in May by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guests mingled on the South Lawn, enjoying pulled pork and chicken while a live band played throughout the evening. Fauci is fully vaccinated. But Sunday in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, he told anchor Chuck Todd that in parts of the country with low levels of vaccination and rising coronavirus caseloads, he might go the extra mile to be cautious enough to make sure that I get the extra added level of protection. According to information about inhalant abuse published by americanaddictioncenters.org, Spray paint and other paints are commonly used in huffing. Some of the toxic chemicals in paint provide an intense high that can be easily obtained by those who are otherwise unable to afford or get access to other drugs. However, huffing paint and other forms of inhalant abuse are extremely dangerous, causing multiple severe injuries and deaths every year. Mondays brief medical bulletin which came more than 12 hours after the end of Sundays surgery and contained the first details from the Vatican mentioned no such complications. The Holy See said the pope needed the procedure because of a narrowing of a portion of his large intestine that doctors say can be quite painful. Elsa was a Category 1 hurricane until Saturday morning, causing widespread damage on several eastern Caribbean islands Friday as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Among the hardest hit was Barbados, where more than 1,100 people reported damaged houses, including 62 homes that collapsed. The government promised to find and fund temporary housing to avoid clustering people in shelters amid the pandemic. So far this year, there doesnt appear to have been an uptick in illegal fireworks. From Jan. 1 to July 1, there have been just over 5,500 calls regarding fireworks versus over 12,400 calls for the same time period last year, according to Office of Emergency Management Center data provided by spokeswoman Mary May. He was in La Crosse, Wisconsin, last week, and on Saturday was in Traverse City, Michigan, which is hosting the National Cherry Festival. Presidents Herbert Hoover and Gerald Ford have attended the festival in the past, but Biden went to a cherry farm in nearby Antrim County, where he pitched his immigration plans. Just before 7 p.m., a citizen called police after seeing a vehicle driving north, slowing down and bumping a curb, police said. Officers responded to the 4200 block of South Cicero Avenue and found a man in his 20s with three gunshot wounds to the torso. When they held this event in 2019, there was a shooting. No one was killed, but I told (the organizers) then that this had gotten way too big and that they needed to have better security, McDermott said. They were warned, but against my better judgment, I approved it again at the Board of Public Works, and now this happened. "The Pioneer" focusing on, and paying tribute to the revolutionary pioneer Li Dazhao, is an innovative creation in China's traditional revolutionary mainstream movie genre and is set to inspire today's young people, the film's producers said. Cast and crew pose for a group photo at the premiere of "The Pioneer" in Beijing, June 27, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Enlight Media] The film, directed by Xu Zhanxiong and produced by Guan Hu, portrays one of the founders of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Covering the period from 1912 to 1927, the film tells the revolutionary stories of Li's short life, and will lead audiences on a journey to revisit how he sought to change China and save the nation. Executive producer Guan, a renowned filmmaker whose works include the blockbuster "The Eight Hundred", said at the Beijing premiere that "The Pioneer" adopts a very unusual, experimental, nonlinear, multidimensional and multi-perspective approach, rather than traditional biopic filmmaking. His wife, the general producer of the film Liang Jing, added, "the film not only is a tribute to revolutionary youth a hundred years ago, but also tries to inspire current youth. We need to make breakthrough against traditional narratives, creating a new film language to communicate with young people." Li Dazhao was among the early trailblazers to spread Marxism and Communism in China. He is considered a pioneer of China's Communist movement, a great Marxist and an outstanding proletarian revolutionary who was executed by warlord Zhang Zuolin in 1927. Director Xu added more details to the character, and introduced powerful narratives into significant moments to demonstrate why this pioneer had so much influence. He revealed: "Filming the historical figure that everyone is familiar with, is challenging but also has much room for freshness. For example, you may not know Mr. Li could play the piano and you might think this is a fictional plot. But it was true he did have a piano at home to play, according to our research." To make this film, Xu and crew went to Li's hometown in Laoting county, part of Tangshan in Hebei province, to dig deep into historic documents. There was also repeated consultancy with China's research society on Li Dazhao. However, it was the actor Zhang Songwen contributing a powerful and convincing performance that brought vivid life to the character. "I love the script which is very down to earth to show how great Mr. Li was as a human, rather than vaguely talking about philosophies. I can never be as great as Mr. Li Dazhao, but I have a little resolve to interact with a tip of iceberg of the pioneer's great soul," Zhang said. He co-starred in the film with several popular Chinese actors from Li Yifeng and Tong Liya to Peng Yuchang. A poster of "The Pioneer" [Image courtesy of Beijing Enlight Media] There are also many stunningly beautiful film scenes like an oil-painting, especially seen on IMAX giant screens, that awed and resonated with the tearful audience. The uniqueness of the film made editing director Yang Hongyu declare that, "Editing this film is quite satisfying. It's more like a pure poetry, rather than a film narrative." Guan Hu added: "We did mobilize production approaches and resources like we are doing six to eight films, but we did this for only one film 'The Pioneer'. Without a common belief among the cast and crew, this film can't make it. This is the power of belief". "The Pioneer" is being screened around China from July 1. You are here: China Hong Kong's vaccination program continued to pick up pace as nearly 70,000 jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines were administered on Friday, hitting a new daily high, statistics showed Saturday. Nearly 2.32 million residents have taken at least one shot of the vaccines since the rollout started in late February, accounting for 34% of eligible groups. Some 1.53 million people have been fully vaccinated. On Saturday, Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported one new imported case of COVID-19, taking the total tally to 11,939. The CHP said there were altogether 54 new cases over the past two weeks, including one untraceable local infection. You are here: China Chinese astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo had both slipped out of the space station core module Tianhe by 11:02 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Sunday, starting extravehicular activities (EVAs), according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Liu Boming opened the hatch of Tianhe's node cabin at 8:11 a.m., the CMSA said. Donning new-generation homemade EMU (extravehicular mobility unit) spacesuits Feitian, meaning flying to space, the two astronauts have completed installing the foot restraints and extravehicular working platform on the mechanical arm, the CMSA said. They have also finished lifting the panoramic camera by 12:09 p.m., the agency said. They will continue to work together to install other relevant extravehicular equipment with the aid of the mechanical arm, it said. Astronaut Nie Haisheng has been staying inside Tianhe in cooperation with Liu and Tang for their EVAs. The three astronauts were sent into space aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship on June 17. Flash Three major wildfires have burned across over 40,000 acres in Northern California, the United States. The Lava Fire in Siskiyou County, starting on June 24, has burned nearly 24,460 acres (about 99 square kilometers) with 24 percent contained as of Saturday and thousands of people had been displaced, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) The Tennant Fire broke out on the eastern side of the Klamath National Forest on Monday afternoon. The fire on Saturday was around 10,012 acres (about 40.5 sq km) and 17 percent was contained, Cal Fire said. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Salt Fire has destroyed about 27 homes. The fire grew to 7,467 acres (about 30 sq km) with 5 percent contained. It is believed to have been started by a vehicle traveling on I-5 on Wednesday near Lake Shasta, a report by San Francisco Chronicle said. While wildfires are a natural part of California's landscape, the fire season in California and across the U.S. West is starting earlier and ending later each year. Climate change is considered a key driver of this trend, Cal Fire said. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation and make forests more susceptible to severe wildfire, it noted. Flash The remainder of the condominium in Surfside, Florida, that partially collapsed last week will be demolished as soon as Sunday, a local fire official said Saturday as the death toll from the disaster rose to 24. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told affected families during a morning news conference that the remaining part of the Champlain Towers South would be brought down "as soon as possible. First thing tomorrow." He added that the plan is contingent upon further discussions, as a follow-up meeting will be held in the afternoon to finalize details of the demolition. Also during the briefing, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said two more victims were found in the rubble, bringing the death toll to 24 while there are 124 people who remain unaccounted for. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Tropical Storm Elsa's expected arrival in South Florida has made the demolition of the still-standing part of the building necessary. "If the building is taken down, this will protect our search and rescue teams because we don't know when it could fall over, and of course, with these gusts, potentially, that would create a really severe hazard," he said. DeSantis added that he was told that the demolition could be done within 36 hours, so there would be "minimal work stoppage" for search and rescue teams. Fears that the remainder of the building may tumble prompted a halt of the search and rescue operations for most of Thursday. Elsa was Category 1 hurricane on Friday, but was downgraded to tropical storm late Saturday morning with sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (110 km per hour), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an 11:00 a.m. advisory. It is now battering islands in the Caribbean. The NHC now expects rainfall from Elsa "likely to impact portions of the Florida Keys and southern Florida early next week." "The fear was that the hurricane may take down the building for us, and take it down in the wrong direction, on top of the pile where we have victims," said Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett during the briefing, adding the demolition could be carried out "as early as tomorrow." Flash A Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 Hercules transport plane with 92 people aboard crashed on Sunday while attempting to land on Jolo island in Sulu province in the southern Philippines, killing 17 and and injuring 40 others. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement that among the 92 personnel on board the plane, three are pilots and five are crew members, with the rest being "Army personnel reporting for duty." Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, Lorenzana added. Armed Forces of the Philippine chief of staff General Cirilito Sobejana said earlier the plane was transporting troops from Cagayan de Oro City on Mindanao island when it crashed around 11:30 a.m. local time on Jolo island. "The plane missed the runway and tried to regain power but failed," Sobejana said. "Responders are at the site now," he said, expressing hope that more people on the plane will be saved from the wreckage. The PAF said in an official statement that the C-130 aircraft has a tail "#5125." The plane took off from the PAF airbase in Metro Manila to Cagayan de Oro City in northern Mindanao before heading to Jolo. The crash on Sunday is the latest tragedy of the Philippine Air Force this year. In June this year, one of the Philippine Air Force's newly acquired S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters, crashed north of Manila, killing its six crew members. Rick Warren has started the search for a new pastor to take the helm of his California megachurch. The "Purpose Driven Life" author has led Saddleback, in Lake Forest, for over 40 years. He said in a sermon over the weekend that he was looking for a "next-generation" pastor to replace him, and that his plan was to transition into a background role. Warren, 67, grew the church from a modest Bible study in his home attended by just a few families in 1980, to the 19-campus megachurch of today. According to Lifeway Research, weekly attendance at the church stood at over 23,000 last year. Over the weekend, Warren informed the congregation of his plans to step back and find the next person to take over leadership of the church. "This next week, we are going to begin the official search for my successor. That's a big deal, the official search for my successor," he said. But he promised, "This isn't the end. It's not even the beginning of the end. It's the beginning of the beginning, but we're going to start looking for the next-generation pastor who will replace me and lead our family into the future." He said he and his wife Kay "knew this day would eventually arrive" and that they had been "waiting on God's perfect timing" to begin the process of finding Saddleback's next lead pastor. Explaining how he came to the decision to start the search, Warren said he and Kay had made the commitment many years ago to lead the church for 40 years. When the church celebrated that milestone in January 2020, they both prayed and felt that God was urging them to stay on a little longer. With the US starting to emerge from the pandemic, he said they both felt God saying that "now is the time" to let someone else take over. His goal is to make the "smooth transition into a less visible role as founding pastor." "Now, this is such a significant decision because I'm the only lead pastor our church family has ever had," he said. He added that the search was an act of faith. "You don't have to see the ultimate step to take the first step. You just take the first step in faith," he said. Young people in China are becoming older and older before getting married. It has evolved as a social phenomenon that almost every press or social media forum reports about from time to time. There is a wide variety of such reports, for example: facts about the increasing number of singles; tricks to guide young people through their parents interrogation; description of elaborate plans that parents use to fix their children up with unexpected dates; and more - you name it, there is an article about it. Unavoidable confrontation With tremendous attention given by parents and the society, there is often a huge collision between parents and their reluctant adults. Retired parents make it their goal to find an appropriate fit for their unmarried children. They print out their childrens resumes and gather in the matchmaking park, striving to match the closest equivalent. Whereas, the dismissive young people just as often apply themselves to finding every possible solution to tackle their parents scheming. For instance, by steering the discussion away from the subject of marriage, reducing the frequency of visiting their parents, or renting a girlfriend. I am one of those rebellious adults who would do anything except to gratify their parents desire. As my parents inquired more and more about my marriage, I grew less patient with such discussion and visited them less than before, in order to avoid unnecessary arguments. Pressure and longing People, who yearn for marriage but who are not yet married face the stress from their married peers and relatives, along with pressure from their parents and society. This only exacerbates their thirst for marriage. I certainly want to be married one day, and I intend to have at least 2 kids. But I dont know how to balance my faith, the external pressure and the inner desire I have. Mary, a single sister, said to me one time. Mary was in her 30s and the brother she poured attention upon regarded her as a friend only. Nonbelievers suggested that she consider non-Christian admirers to enlarge the range of options. Given her sister and friends were all married, she was drowned with urgency and helplessness. Mary was not alone in such a situation. I know some believers who are dating non-believers, hoping to convert them to Christianity one day. I exhorted Mary not to take that route in any form. Biblical comfort As believers of God and His word, we know that our heavenly father takes care of every need. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew Chapter 10, verse 30). How much more He knows our need for a life partner! If marriage is good for us, God will bless us with it in the opportune time. Our fleshly approach of forcing it may do a disservice, just like Sarahs method of wanting a child through Hagar which caused mere conflicts later on. Moreover, when analyzing the desire for marriage, we often find the need of appreciation, protection and connection. If we think it through, we will know that it all can be found in Jesus. There is none like Jesus who loved you and died for your sin; there will be no one as powerful as Jesus who brings you utter security; and there is nobody who promises to be with you always, to the end of the age. A biblical focus Seeing the incredible value of Jesus, apostle Paul advised that it is good for a person to remain as he is and secure his undivided devotion to the Lord. For the unmarried person is anxious about the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord, while the married person is anxious about worldly things and how to please the other half. Meanwhile, he also indicated that its not sin if someone marries. As the world pursues marriage, the Biblical view is our final fortress to handle it reasonably. We should neither overact for being single, nor demean the God-given purpose for marriage. In the end, the present form of this world will pass away. Jesus Christ, the fairest groom, will come to take his church, the beautiful bride, with Him eternally. Thats the perfect wedding which every Christian looks forward to! This particular character in the Bible (you can read his story in 2 Samuel chapter 4 verse 4 and 2 Samuel chapter 9) truly touched my heart the first time I have read about him. I got mixed emotions thinking about his situation born with a physical defect by accident, one whose family lineage fell tragically, no mother or father to grow up with, and a future you cannot even picture out. Why was I born? Whats my purpose? He probably asked this himself so many times but only God knows. Putting myself in his shoe, I do not know how I would survive such a reality. Other than feeling useless and sorry for myself, I would have probably wished I better be dead than alive. Worse, I might have even hated God for such a life. Mephibosheth Mephibosheths life is relatable in so many ways for us. Some may be born with whatever they feel like a defect in their life or at some point in your life tragedy strikes and it left you damaged that feels like forever. This pandemic can be like Mephibosheths hopeless life and you have no choice but to keep breathing every day and keep on surviving. But then despite it all, Mephibosheth never gave up even if life was a blank paper for him. And his story wasnt over because God wasnt over with him yet. Who would have thought that a person who referred to himself as a dead dog (see 2 Samuel chapter 9 verse 8) would one day be sought by a King (David) and be invited to live in a palace and feast at the table every day like one of the Kings sons? Every time I read Mephibosheths story; I am reminded that there is always hope through our living God. It amazes me how God really knows our pain and He has His own ways of healing and restoring us uniquely and powerfully. He deals with our life seriously in a way when the enemy comes after us, Daddy God will make sure that freedom, healing, deliverance, and restoration is going to multiply out of a single grain. Nightbirde Recently, I have read an amazing story of a person who for me resembles Mephibosheths story. She calls herself Nightbirde and her real name is Jane Marczewski. One day, quotes from her blog and statements were flooding my social media newsfeed and out of curiosity I clicked her website. Ah, I got the same feels when I read about Mephibosheths story. In her blog this is what she wrote: After the doctor told me I was dying, and after the man I married said he did not love me anymore, I chased a miracle in California and sixteen weeks later, I got it. The cancer was gone. But when my brain caught up with it all, something broke. I later found out that all the tragedy at once had caused a physical head trauma, and my brain was sending false signals of excruciating pain and panic. I spent three months propped against the wall. On nights that I could not sleep, I laid in the tub like an insect, staring at my reflection in the shower knob. I vomited until I was hollow. I rolled up under my robe on the tile. The bathroom floor became my place to hide, where I could scream and be ugly; where I could sob and spit and eventually doze off, happy to be asleep, even with my head on the toilet. I have had cancer three times now, and I have barely passed thirty. There are times when I wonder what I must have done to deserve such a story. I fear sometimes that when I die and meet with God, that He will say I disappointed Him, or offended Him, or failed Him. Maybe Hell say I just never learned the lesson, or that I wasnt grateful enough. But one thing I know for sure is this: He can never say that He did not know me. Research After searching for more about her, I found out that she was recently Simon Cowells golden buzzer on Americas Got Talent. I knew it was Gods doing a display of His glory, wisdom, strategy, and awesomeness. What happened to Nightbirde for me felt like Gods dropped an atomic bomb that surprised Satan and his minions. A woman whose life was in a lot of pain physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally was one day revealed on stage by God for the world to see His glory and a message of hope amidst what everyone is going through this season of pandemic. Jane has truly touched many lives including mine and I know that her testimony is setting many captives free especially these difficult times we are living in now. God knows our pain and Hes going to make sure that the devils going to pay the price once He strikes back! Romans chapter 12 verse 19 says, I will take revenge; I will pay them back Your hope If youre losing hope and you feel like life has turned its back on you, just know that God isnt over with you yet. Dont you ever give up because someday your life is going to touch and change lives too in Jesus name! The US Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by a Christian florist who was fined for refusing to provide wedding flowers for a same-sex couple. The customer had been buying flowers for years from Barronelle Stutzman but when he asked her to do the arrangements for his wedding to another man, she declined because of her religious beliefs about marriage being between a man and a woman. She was handed a fine of $1,000 by a county court in Washington state in 2015. In 2017, Washington state's Supreme Court ruled against Stutzman, but that decision was then voided by the US Supreme Court a year later. The Washington Supreme Court was asked to reconsider Stutzman's case following the verdict in favor of Christian baker,Jack Phillips, who refused to make a cake for a gay wedding. But when the Washington Supreme Court heard Stutzman's case again in 2019, it unanimously upheld its original verdict which concluded the florist had discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation. The Alliance Defending Freedom, which has been representing Stutzman in the case, said it was disappointed by the decision of the US Supreme Court not to hear an appeal. "Barronelle Stutzman kindly served a gay customer for YEARS before declining to make art for a ceremony that's sacred in her religion. She was sued & persecuted for acting on deeply held beliefs," it tweeted. "SCOTUS' decision not to hear this case is disappointing but our fight isn't over." Stutzman's legal counsel, Kristen Waggoner, said the decision was "tragic". "[T]he critical work of protecting the First Amendment freedoms of all Americans must continue," she said, according to CNN. "No one should be forced to express a message or celebrate an event they disagree with." Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents advertisements Astronauts install tools on spacewalk outside China's space station July 4, 2021 For the first time, two astronauts have worked outside of China's space station, completing only the second spacewalk in the history of the country's space program. Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo began the six-hour and 46-minute extravehicular activity (EVA) on Saturday (July 3) at 8:11 p.m. EDT (0011 GMT or 8:11 a.m. Beijing Time on July 4). Liu was first to exit the space station's Tianhe ("Harmony of the Heavens") core module, followed by Tang about three hours later. Wearing upgraded Chinese Feitian spacesuits, the two Shenzhou 12 crewmates outfitted the space station with tools needed to support future activities. Liu, initially working alone, attached a foot restraint and platform to the end of the station's 33-foot-long (10-meter) robotic arm and then mounted the arm himself. Shenzhou 12 commander Nie Haisheng then tested the arm's controls, moving Liu from inside the Tianhe module. Tang, tethered to the handrails running along the exterior of the space station, later joined Liu in extending a panoramic camera. They then continued working together to install other EVA equipment with the help of the robotic arm. "After about 7 hours of exterior activities, the Shenzhou 12 crewmates working closely together successfully completed all the scheduled tasks during the spacewalk," China's Manned Space Agency announced at the end of the EVA. Liu and Tang completed the spacewalk at 2:57 a.m. EDT (0657 GMT or 2:57 p.m. Beijing time) on Sunday. A second spacewalk is planned for later in the Shenzhou 12 mission, which launched with Nie, Liu and Tang on June 16 and is scheduled to last three months. In addition to testing procedures, the EVAs are preparing the station to be expanded with the addition of two laboratory modules to be launched in 2022. China's first-ever spacewalk was performed by Zhai Zhigang, commander of the Shenzhou 7 mission, in 2008. Liu was part of that mission's crew as well, and during the 22-minute outing, performed a stand-up EVA, popping his head out of the hatch while wearing a Russian Orlan spacesuit. The Chinese Feitian ("flying to space") suits are similar in design to the Orlan, with the portable life support system also serving as a rear-entry hatch into the spacesuit. The Feitian's helmets are equipped with cameras, broadcasting a first-person view similar to NASA's extravehicular activity unit (EMU) spacesuit. When not out on a spacewalk, the Shenzhou 12 crewmates have been configuring and testing the Tianhe core module's systems, conducting science experiments and participating in video downlinks, including talking live with Chinese President Xi Jinping. When completed, the T-shaped Tiangong ("Heavenly Palace") space station will be China's first multi-module space station. In addition to hosting Chinese crews and research, China plans to invite international partners to visit and work aboard the orbiting outpost. Shenzhou 12 crewmates Liu Boming (top) and Tang Hongbo exit the Tianhe core module to perform the first spacewalk outside of China's space station on Saturday, July 3, 2021. (CCTV) Shenzhou 12 astronaut Tang Honbo, wearing a Feitian spacesuit, floats inside the docking hub of the Tianhe core module waiting to exit China's space station during a July 3, 2021 spacewalk. (CCTV) Shenzhou 12 spacewalker Liu Boming positions himself to mount the end of a robotic arm outside of China's space station on July 3, 2021. (CCTV) 2021 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Medical Robotic System Market is accounted for $6,078.31 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $33,652.34 million by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 20.9% during the forecast period. Factors such as technological advancements in medical robotic system, increase in funding for medical robots research and issuance of IPOS by medical robot companies are fuelling the market growth. However, the safety concerns over robotic surgery devices are hampering the market. Medical robots are specially designed robots which can tackle various tasks associated with medical sciences. This refers that ranging from their usage in surgeries, to usage OD few robots as a receptionist in various hospitals around the world. Medical robotic systems are used in various medical applications and differ depending on its usage. These include surgical robotic systems, spine robotic systems, laparoscopic robotic systems, and rehabilitation robotic system. Among Application, The neurosurgery segment has considerable growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing precision and improved quality of medical robots which have encouraged the use of robots in neurosurgery. By Geography, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the significant market share during the forecast period due to the increasing geriatric population, growing adoption of medical robots, and robot-assisted training initiatives for surgeons. Request for Report Sample: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/11359 Some of the key players in global Medical Robotic System market are Roche Holdings, Abbot Diagnostics, Omnicell Technologies, Intuitive Surgical, Accuray Incorporated, Stryker Corporation, Mckesson Corporation, Siemens Healthineers, Mazor Robotics, Titan Medical Inc., Medrobotics Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Inc, iRobot Corporation, Hansen Medical, Inc. and Renishaw Plc. Components Covered: Locomotion Systems Visualization System Safety Systems Software Platform User Interface Power Sources Products Covered: Hospital & Pharmacy Robotic Systems Emergency Response Robotic Systems Disinfection Robot Surgical Robotic Systems Rehabilitation Robotic Systems Noninvasive Radiosurgery Robotic Systems Applications Covered: Orthopedic Surgery Neurosurgery Laparoscopy Oncology Application Special Education Cardiology Application Urology Application Other Applications End Users Covered: Rehabilitation Center Pharmacy Home Care Setting Hospital Regions Covered: North America o US o Canada o Mexico Europe o Germany o UK o Italy o France o Spain o Rest of Europe Asia Pacific o Japan o China o India o Australia o New Zealand o South Korea o Rest of Asia Pacific South America o Argentina o Brazil o Chile o Rest of South America Middle East & Africa o Saudi Arabia o UAE o Qatar o South Africa o Rest of Middle East & Africa Place a Direct Purchase Order @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/checkout/11359/Single What our report offers: Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market forecasts for a minimum of 9 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic analysis: Drivers and Constraints, Product/Technology Analysis, Porters five forces analysis, SWOT analysis etc. Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Free Customization Offerings: All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options: Company Profiling o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3) o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3) Regional Segmentation o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the clients interest (Note: Depends of feasibility check) Competitive Benchmarking o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances Request for Report Discount: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/discount/11359 Market Forecast Global AI in Drug Discovery Market is expected to hold a value of about USD 2,015.1 Million by 2025, and it is projected to register a CAGR of 40.8% from 2019 to 2025. AI in Drug Discovery Trends and Opportunities Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to provide productive avenues in the healthcare industry. The implementation of AI has helped with reducing the researches and development gap in the drug manufacturing process and also in the targeted manufacturing of the drugs. Owing to these aspects, biopharmaceutical industries are tending towards AI to enhance market share. This is an influential factor fueling the growth of the global AI for drug discovery market. also read @ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/covid19-impact-on-artificial-intelligence-drug-discovery-market-latest-innovations-drivers-dynamics-and-strategic-analysis-challenges-2021-01-05 The escalating pressure on the drug manufacturer to reduce drug prices is yet another factor expected to boost the AI for drug discovery market. This is all due to Al reduced the failure rate of clinical trials, and eliminated research and development costs in drug discovery. Apart from this, there has been a regular increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic diseases globally, and pharmaceutical companies are investing high in the development of various drugs. Artificial Intelligence has been able to assist manufacturers by offering a solution to complex situations. In the current scenario, AI is providing many novel analytical approaches for the design and development of novel products, which is another reason behind the markets exponential growth. More factors, such as the flourishing healthcare sector coupled with manufacturers approach towards lowering the manufacturing cost associated with drug development, have also recorded to be reasonable for the markets growth. Besides, escalating investment by significant players in biopharma companies and rising public and private partnerships for R&D activities are more critical factors expected to boost the growth of the target AI in Drug Discovery market in the future. In the case of point, back in the year 2019, GlaxoSmithKline plc, a multinational pharmaceutical company, invested US$ 300 Mn in 23 and Me, a gene testing company. The deal, in the current time, is expected to facilitate the company to access the database related to DNA related to relations between genes and diseases. This factor will further help in the development of novel products as well as the AI drug discovery market. On the contrary, the factor of the scarcity of skilled healthcare professionals has been considered as a hindering factor and anticipated to slow down the growth of the global AI for the drug discovery market in the future. AI in Drug Discovery Market Segment Review By the segment of product type, the market has included software and services By the segment of molecule type, the market has included Large Molecule and Small Molecule. By the segment of technology type, the market has included machine learning, deep learning, and others. By the segment of indication type, the market has included Immuno-oncology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Metabolic Diseases, and others. By the segment of the application, the market has included target identification, candidate screening, drug optimization and repurposing, de novo drug designing, and preclinical testing. By the segment of End-User, the market has included pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, research centers, and academic & government institutes. AI in Drug Discovery Market Regional Landscape Americas and its Countries such as the US and Canada have been at the vanguard of the healthcare industry over the years. The rising number of big AI platform developers in the region is one of the primary reasons for the express growth of the AI in the drug discovery market in the region. Some top AI platforms such as Google AI, Microsoft Azure, and TensorFlow have adopted the Big Pharma companies for utilization in the drug discovery procedure. Europe is the second-largest market for AI in drug discovery after the Americas. Rising R&D activities in the pharmacy sector and high demand for AI solutions by Big Pharma companies are other factors expected to boost the augmentation of the regional market. Peak pharma companies have made partnerships with AI service providers to integrate AI technologies into the drug discovery process. The growth of the Asia-Pacific AI In Drug Discovery Market is attributed to the escalating demand for effective drug discovery solutions. Many startups are working to integrate AI applications in drug discovery. Some of these startups are Adagene, Mozi, Accutar, Xbiome, Elucidata Corporation, Deep Intelligent Pharma, CaroCure, and Interprotein, among others. With the rapidly upward pharmaceutical market in the Asian region, probably, the approval of the AI technologies in the majority drug discovery protocols will take place in the forecast period. Top Players The top players are Microsoft Corporation, Google (A Subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.), IBM Corporation, Atomwise, Inc., Cloud Pharmaceuticals, Inc., BenevolentAI, Cyclica, Bioage, Envisagenics, Owkin, Inc., Verge Genomics, and Berg LLC. Obtain Premium Research Report Details, Considering the impact of COVID-19 @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/ai-drug-discovery-market-9393 Related Reports Astigmatism Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2027 Keratoacanthoma Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2027 Bone Pain Treatment Market Research Report- Global Forecast To 2027 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Market Highlights The Vitamin test market is expected to witness tremendous growth owing to the rising prevalence of vitamin deficiency. Other key factors such as the change to sedentary lifestyle, increase in smoking, and increasing consumption of junk food and packaged food, growing geriatric population, rising consumer awareness for vitamin benefits, and technologically advanced laboratories are contributing towards the growth of the market. However, factors such as, high cost of vitamin test, limitations of the tests like false positives and false negatives and lack of awareness in developing countries are expected to restrict the market growth during the forecast period. ALSO READ @ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/vitamin-test-market-regional-growth-key-values-future-demand-covid19-impact-business-opportunities-and-challenges-2027-2021-05-06 Segmentation The global Vitamin test market is segmented on the basis of type, technology, and end-user. the vitamin test market, by type, is categorized into vitamin B12 & folic acid test,folic acid (folate) test , carotene (beta carotene) test, vitamin K1 test, vitamin E test, vitamin d 25-dihydroxy (calcitriol) test, vitamin C test, vitamin B12 test, vitamin B6 test, vitamin B5 test, vitamin B3 (niacin) test, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) test, vitamin a (retinol) test, vitamin B1 test. On the basis of Technology, the market is segmented into high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), radioimmunoassay, ELISA tests, chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, diagnostic centers, research centers, and others. Regional Analysis The Americas is the largest in the market owing to the increasing prevalence of vitamin deficiency and growing healthcare expenditure. According to the The United States Department of Agriculture in 2014, 50% of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium. Such a high incidence of vitamin deficiency drives market growth in this region. Europe (UK, Belgium, France, and Netherlands) is the second largest vitamin test market during the forecast period. The increasing in awareness for vitamins and vitamin testing drives the market in this region. The European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) is an advanced laboratory for testing the nutrient levels in European population. Every year European Laboratory of Nutrients (ELN) organizes an international symposium titled Advanced Clinical Nutrition - Nutrients for Prevention and Cure of Disease'. Thus enhancing vitamin testing market in this region. Asia-Pacific was projected to be the fastest growing region for the global vitamin test market in 2017. The market is expected to witness growth owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in this region. Also, the presence of technologically advanced countries like China and Japan in this region is expected to influence the market growth in this region. The Middle East and Africa accounts for the least share due to low per capita income and lack of availability of well-trained healthcare professionals. However, the rising healthcare services both at the hospital level and in the community are expected to influence the market in a positive way. Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/vitamin-test-market-6377 Key Players Some of the key players in the global Vitamin test market are VitaMe Technologies Inc., R-Biopharm AG, Abbott Laboratories, ImmunoDiagnostics Inc., F. Hoffman-La Roche, Siemens AG, Diazyme Laboratories, DiaSorin S.p.A, ORGENTEC Diagnostika GmbH and others. RELATED REPORTS Global Intracranial Hemorrhage Diagnosis & Treatment Market Research ReportForecast to 2027 Global Ear Infection Treatment Market Research ReportForecast till 2027 Compounding Chemotherapy Market Research ReportForecast till 2027 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. On June 24, the website had no available appointments for the next several years. On June 30, the scheduling tool no longer allowed a person to click through a calendar view for several months and years into the future. Instead, it said appointments can be booked only two weeks in advance. If the calendar is booked, the website said it will not show available appointment times but new slots are released every 20 minutes. In A Writer Prepares, Block looks back to his childhood in Buffalo, New York, when he was his own biggest skeptic. In 11th grade English, he was assigned a paper on what his future profession might be. His theme was uncertainty, he recalled. He confided that he would never fulfill his fathers dream for him to become a doctor, and that an early wish to be a garbage man ended when his mother told him the work would chap his hands. In the past, the event was about half as long and included only the parade and salute. This year was a success for the group, which Parr says strives to resemble the neighborhood it represents. From July 18 to 20, protests would be organised in all cities and towns with the support of various organisations against the new tax policy. (Photo: Facebook @Baburao Chigurupati) VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Urban Citizens Forum says it would hold a series of protests seeking cancellation of property tax and garbage tax and launch a Praja Chaitanya Yatra from Monday, July 5. It also plans to hold Deekshas on July 18, 19 and 20 in the state. APUCF convener Babu Rao said the tax hike would have an adverse effect on the 1.5 crore urban population in the state who are already in a financial crisis due to pandemic. This is time for the state and central governments to provide relief to the people but they are imposing additional burden through tax hikes. The central government has given conditional loans to the AP government and is directing it to increase taxes, he said. Rao said that despite protests, there was no response from chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy and urged him to break his silence on the tax hike. He also urged municipal administration minister Botsa Satyanarayana to organise a meeting with political parties and others to resolve the tax hike and garbage tax issues. He said APUCF would intensify the protest through the Praja Chaitanya Yatra from July 5 to 11, with a call to the government, Dont hike property tax and 'Don't impose garbage tax, and a Say no to tax hike GOs call to the people. On July 15, they would organise a public ballot with participation of the public. From July 18 to 20, protests would be organised in all cities and towns with the support of various organisations against the new tax policy, he said. KURNOOL: A petition has been filed before National Green Tribunal, south zone, in Chennai restraining Andhra Pradesh from taking up lift irrigation projects and balancing reservoirs on Galeru-Nagari and Handri-Neeva near Mudivedu, Nethikunta Palli and Avulapalli villages in Chittoor district. The petition was filed by Gutha Gunasekhar, a resident of Nagillavaripalle in Somala mandal, and Gunturi Chandrababu belonging to Avulapalle village, Somala mandal. Alleging that Andhra Pradesh had been consistently misleading the tribunal on environmental clearances, the petitioners brought to the notice that Rayalaseema lift irrigation scheme had no environmental clearance. The petitioners contended that the new reservoirs and lift irrigation projects proposed in 2021 were totally dependent on water from the Srisailam reservoir and without obtaining mandatory approvals from Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and the Central Water Commission under the Union ministry of Jal Sakti. The projects were "completely new" and they were not assessed and approved by the Union ministry of environment and appraisal agencies such as KRMB, they said. The state government issued GO RT No 444 dated 26-8-2020 for investigation and construction of schemes to lift water from Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanti (GNSS) and Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanti (HNSS) at a cost of Rs 5,036 crores. The state further issued a GO RT No 461 dated 2-9-2020 for the formation of the above three balancing reservoirs in Chittoor district. The irrigation authorities of AP finalised the tenders in February-March 2021 for formation of balancing reservoirs near Mudivedu village in Kurabalakota mandal, and Nethikunta Palli village in Punganur mandal and another one at Avulapalli village in Somalia mandal of Chittoor district at a cost of Rs 2,144.50 crores. The petitioners contended that the project proponent started works of the project without obtaining mandatory clearances. The contractors had damaged the existing bunds of Seetamma Lake near Avulapalli ignoring the existing paddy crops. They also damaged the 500-year-old Seetamma temple, they alleged. The petitioners expressed fear that the Avulapalli balancing reservoir would completely submerge Pedda Devulakupppa, Chinna Devulakuppam, Baireddipalle, and Ramakrishnapuram villages. The petitioners submitted that the activities of the state of Andhra Pradesh were in gross violation of judgment passed by NGT in OA No 71 of 2020, Gavinolla Srinivas Vs Union of India case. Alleging that Andhra Pradesh had been consistently misleading the tribunal on environmental clearances, the petitioners relied on a Supreme Court of India judgment in Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd v Rohit Prajapati case and others where the apex court held that post facto clearance was in derogation of the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence. The petitioners raised the following questions relating to the environment as to whether the lift irrigation schemes on GNSS, HNSS, and construction of three reservoirs in Chittoor district without EC were contrary to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1986, Forest (Conservation )Act 1980 and EIA notification 2006. The petitioner also sought to declare that the union ministry of environment and forest was duty-bound to take action on the project proponent for blatant violations of law and action of the AP government would affect the environment and dispossess the applicants and similarly situated farmers. Get 25% off of the regular $65 annual All Access rate. With this subscription you will get: Digital access to ElPasoInc.com and archives (value $45) Print subscription home or business delivered (value $65) Book of Lists (annual rate only, value $50) El Paso Inc. Magazine (value $20) El Paso Kids Inc. Special sections - OR - Get 15% off of the regular $45 annual Digital-only rate. With this subscription you will get: Complete digital access to ElPasoInc.com. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. Today a statement was released by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in relation to the block imposed on the region and the closure of the Tal Kocher(al-Ya'roubbie) Border Crossing the second of importance between Syria and Iraq located some 90 km to the far east of the city of Qamishlo. Commission given to Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria is set to expire on July 10, due to the Russian Chinese veto to reduce number of border crossings to one, that is namely BAB AL-Hawa controlled by Turkey and affiliated mercenary groups. A number of countries of which those of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS are exerting pressure on the international community to re-open further border crossings of which Tal Kocher (al-Ya'roubbie) connecting North Eastern Syria with Iaraq. ''since the very onset of the Syrian Crisis North Eastern Syria underwent attacks aiming at exploitation and occupation and pose threats to the whole of Syria, to which North Eastern Syria components spared no effort to defend their homes as they making a part to Syria as a whole. The perception by some people that this region is separated from Syria is an untrue one, both the region and the people are affected by circumstances in Syria. It is well known that the region is under blockade, it is used as a weapon against the region that preserved peace and stability and housed a number of IDPs from other governorates increasing the humanitarian concentration. After ISIS was eliminated more liberated areas were brought under AANES that increased burdens to accommodate all IDPs. The presence of at least 5 million people in the region amid this situation entails grave repercussions in the humanitarian arena. Based on humanitarian grounds of the case, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria unsparingly tried to get help from both the United Nations and the international community that is basic responsibilities of these parts but up to date with no avail. We appeal to the international community and the UN to reconsider the matter on humanitarian grounds not political ones as interest of a number of countries entail to exert efforts to relieve the people and to re-open the border crossing bearing in mind that this would correct the international and UN associations responsibilities towards our people''. L..A.. ANHA By Pepe Escobar July 04, 2021 " Information Clearing House " - - " SCF " - The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) centennial takes place this week at the heart of an incandescent geopolitical equation. China, the emerging superpower, is back to the global prominence it enjoyed throughout centuries of recorded history, while the declining Hegemon is paralyzed by the existential challenge posed to its fleeting, unilateral dominance. A mindset of full spectrum confrontation already sketched in the 2017 U.S. National Security Review is sliding fast into fear, loathing and relentless Sinophobia. Add to it the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership graphically exposing the ultimate Mackinderian nightmare of Anglo-American elites jaded by ruling the world for only two centuries at best. The Little Helmsman Deng Xiaoping may have coined the ultimate formula for what many in the West defined as the Chinese miracle: To seek truth from facts, not from dogmas, whether from East or West. So this was never about divine intervention, but planning, hard work, and learning by trial and error. The recent session of the National Peoples Congress provides a stark example. Not only it approved a new Five-Year Plan, but in fact a full road map for Chinas development up to 2035: three plans in one. What the whole world saw, in practice, was the manifest efficiency of the Chinese governance system, capable of designing and implementing extremely complex geoeconomic strategies after plenty of local and regional debate on a vast range of policy initiatives. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Compare it to the endless bickering and gridlock in Western liberal democracies, which are incapable of planning for the next quarter, not to mention fifteen years. The best and the brightest in China actually do their Deng; they couldnt care less about the politicizing of governance systems. What matters is what they define as a very effective system to make SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) development plans, and put them in practice. The 85% popular vote At the start of 2021, before the onset of the Year of the Metal Ox, President Xi Jinping emphasized that favorable social conditions should be in place for the CCP centennial celebrations. Oblivious to waves of demonization coming from the West, for Chinese public opinion what matters is whether the CCP delivered. And deliver it did (over 85% popular approval). China controlled Covid-19 in record time; economic growth is back; poverty alleviation was achieved; and the civilization-state became a moderately prosperous society right on schedule for the CCP centennial. Since 1949, the size of the Chinese economy soared by a whopping 189 times. Over the past two decades, Chinas GDP grew 11-fold. Since 2010, it more than doubled, from $6 trillion to $15 trillion, and now accounts for 17% of global economic output. No wonder Western grumbling is irrelevant. Shanghai Capital investment boss Eric Li succinctly describes the governance gap; in the U.S., government changes but not policy. In China, government doesnt change; policy does. This is the background for the next development stage where the CCP will in fact double down on its unique hybrid model of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The key point is that the Chinese leadership, via non-stop policy adjustments (trial and error, always) has evolved a model of peaceful rise their own terminology that essentially respects Chinas immense historical and cultural experiences. In this case, Chinese exceptionalism means respecting Confucianism which privileges harmony and abhors conflict as well as Daoism which privileges balance over the boisterous, warring, hegemonic Western model. This is reflected in major policy adjustments such as the new dual circulation drive, which places greater emphasis on the domestic market compared to China as the factory of the world. Past and future are totally intertwined in China; what was done in previous dynasties echoes in the future. The best contemporary example is the New Silk Roads, or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) the overarching Chinese foreign policy concept for the foreseeable future. As detailed by Renmin University Professor Wang Yiwei, BRI is about to reshape geopolitics, bringing Eurasia back to its historical place at the center of human civilization. Wang has shown how the two great civilizations of the East and the West were linked until the rise of the Ottoman Empire cut off the Ancient Silk Road. Europe moving seaward led to globalization through colonization; the decline of the Silk Road; the worlds center shifting to the West; the rise of the U.S.; and the decline of Europe. Now, Wang argues, Europe is faced with a historic opportunity to return to the world center through the revival of Eurasia. And thats exactly what the Hegemon will go no holds barred to prevent. Zhu and Xi Its fair to argue that Xis historical counterpart is the Hongwu emperor Zhu, the founder of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The emperor was keen to present his dynasty as a Chinese renewal after Mongol domination via the Yuan dynasty. Xi frames it as Chinese rejuvenation: China used to be a world economic power. However, it missed its chance in the wake of the Industrial Revolution and the consequent dramatic changes, and was thus left behind and suffered humiliation under foreign invasion we must not let this tragic history repeat itself. The difference is that 21st century China under Xi will not retreat inward as it did under the Ming. The parallel for the near future would rather be with the Tang dynasty (618-907), which privileged trade and interactions with the world at large. To comment on the torrent of Western misinterpretations of China is a waste of time. For the Chinese, the overwhelming majority of Asia, and for the Global South, much more relevant is to register how the American imperial narrative we are the liberators of Asia-Pacific has now been totally debunked. In fact Chairman Mao may end up having the last laugh. As he wrote in 1957, if the imperialists insist on launching a third world war, it is certain that several hundred million more will turn to socialism, and then there will not be much room left on earth for the imperialists; it is also likely that the whole structure of imperialism will utterly collapse. Martin Jacques, one of the very few Westerners who actually studied China in depth, correctly pointed out how China has enjoyed five separate periods when it has enjoyed a position of pre-eminence or shared pre-eminence in the world: part of the Han, the Tang, arguably the Song, the early Ming, and the early Qing. So China, historically, does represent continuous renewal and rejuvenation (Xi). Were right in the middle of another one of these phases now conducted by a CCP dynasty that, incidentally, does not believe in miracles, but in hardcore planning. Western exceptionalists may continue to throw a fit 24/7 ad infinitum: that will not change the course of history. Participants listen to speakers during the "2021 Europe-Korea Virtual Business Conference" jointly hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) in Seoul, July 2. Courtesy of KCCI Large firms asked to cope with global, domestic issues on environment By Yi Whan-woo Biodiversity is becoming another keyword after climate change for listed companies in disclosing environmental, social and governance (ESG) information, according to multiple business and finance experts. During the "2021 Europe-Korea Virtual Business Conference" jointly hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) in Seoul, July 2, participating experts said large business groups should cope with both global and domestic issues at the same time when it comes to ESG management. The two chambers co-hosted the conference to share each other's experience of ESG that seeks joint prosperity between the business community and society. For listed firms, ESG management is becoming increasingly important with regards to their share values. Companies will be required accordingly to disclose mandatory ESG reports from 2025. "To predict future changes in the ESG ecosystem, we need to pay attention to the newly proposed disclosure standards along with monitoring major global disclosure standards," said Kim Dong-soo, head of the Korea Productivity Center and one of the speakers on ESG disclosure. Among the global criteria, he said the firms should especially pay attention to a taskforce on nature-related financial disclosures (TNFD), an initiative jointly launched by a coalition of international organizations, including the U.N. Development Programme, U.N. Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and World Wide Fund for Nature. Lim Dae-woong, the UNEP FI Korea representative, voiced a similar view, noting that the G7 decided in June to make the disclosure of climate change measures in financial information in accordance with TNFD "TNFD has become a hot issue in the capital market as it is being integrated into financial supervision," Lim said. Kim Jin-sung, a team head at the Korea Corporate Governance Service, called the expansion and standardization of ESG disclosure "an irresistible international trend." "And preemptive response is a way to reduce risks and costs. Rather, the use is increasing, and if companies use it well, it can be an opportunity to raise capital," he emphasized. In relation to ESG management strategy, Korea University professor Rhee Jay-hyuk said related discussions have begun only recently in Korea while such management is a global phenomenon. He accordingly said, "Large companies need a dual strategy that considers global and local issues at the same time, while SMEs need to understand ESG and recognize the necessity first." Christian Heller, Value Balancing Alliance (VBA) president and vice president of German multinational chemicals firm BASF, said VBA enables corporate decision-makers to include sustainability in their business strategies to create long-term value and meet disclosure needs. VBA refers to a business alliance that develops a global standard model for measuring ESG values. The conference was participated in by KCCI Vice Chairman Woo Tae-hee, ECCK Chairman Dirk Lukat, and EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo-Fernandez, among others. Yoon Chul-min, head of the ESG management team at the KCCI explained the chamber plans to hold occasional conferences to quickly inform domestic companies of the latest global trends in ESG disclosure and establish response strategies. gettyimagesbank By Anna J. Park Local cryptocurrency exchanges now face the hurdle of ensuring their users operate real-name accounts at banks, a pre-requisite that must be in place by the end of September in order for them to be eligible for government registration to continue in operation. According to the banking industry, the financial authorities rejected a request by the Korea Federation of Banks (KFB) an association of local banks which asked the government to exempt them from blame if trading anomalies occur at cryptocurrency exchanges. Banks are seeking an addendum that would exempt them, unless they displayed gross negligence, if financial crimes, such as money laundering are detected. Following the rejection, many local exchanges that haven't formed a partnership with banks face the imminent threat of closure come September. This has led to criticism of the financial authorities for trying to pass the buck on to the banks, instead of seriously looking at the country's cryptocurrency trading system to enact effective regulatory measures. Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Eun Sung-soo reiterated the financial regulator's position that banks hold the primary responsibility, in the event of money laundering via cryptocurrency exchanges. "If banks don't think they can handle this, then they shouldn't have partnerships with the cryptocurrency exchanges that their customers are using. If they can, then they should form partnerships with local exchanges," Eun said earlier this month at a parliamentary committee meeting. "If they cannot handle the results, they shouldn't be in the banking business," he bluntly added. According to the revision of the Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information, local cryptocurrency exchanges must officially register their businesses by September 24 in order to obtain a government license to continue their operations. As one of the key requirements for registration is to verify exchange users' real-name bank accounts, most exchanges are now facing the risk of closure if banks reject partnering with them. Only four exchanges Upbit, Bithumb, Korbit and Coinone have partnerships with banks to verify their customers' real-name banking accounts. North Korea has not been cooperating with a United Nations-led global vaccine distribution program, failing to complete necessary paperwork to receive help against the coronavirus pandemic, a report said Sunday. Citing an anonymous source, Voice of America (VOA) reported on talks between North Korea and Gavi, a vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX, an international initiative aimed at global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. According to the report, North Korea has completed only two of the seven required administrative steps. The source told VOA that North Korea has refused entry to international aid workers who could facilitate shipment of vaccines, citing COVID-19 infection concerns. North Korea has also expressed reservations about the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine and has been reluctant to sign a liability waiver in case of potential side effects, the VOA report added. In March, Gavi announced plans to send 1.7 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to North Korea by May. During a ruling party meeting last Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said a "grave incident" had happened that could threaten the safety of his people and country during the pandemic. It was not immediately clearly what the grave incident entailed. (Yonhap) By John J. Metzler Dark clouds are shadowing Afghanistan, as the final pullout of American forces from the beleaguered war-torn country continues and the future darkens with the likely approach of a militant Taliban regime. Time is running out to "prevent a worst-case scenario," as Deborah Lyons, the U.N.'s special representative told a Security Council briefing, in which she warned that the "possible slide toward dire scenarios is undeniable." Observers are "alarmed at the lack of political unity" in the country, which somehow must be addressed or risk contributing to further Taliban territorial advances. Representative Lyons stressed that through its intensified military campaign, the Taliban has captured more than 50 of Afghanistan's 370 districts since the start of May. She added, "Most districts that have been taken surround provincial capitals, suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals, once foreign forces are fully withdrawn." Lyons added that "increased and prolonged violence" threatened to destroy much of what has been built and hard won over the past 20 years. Yes, that 20 years has been a tough and harrowing time. And now for naught? Schools, hospitals and improved opportunities for women could be threatened by the Taliban's religious and social intolerance. Prior to 2001, the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban ruled Afghanistan; the regime had offered safe haven for the al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden terrorist networks that attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Shortly thereafter, American forces toppled the Taliban regime, but U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces had maintained a sizable and costly troop commitment ever since. Sadly, Afghanistan was at war before the U.S. entered the conflict, and shall likely remain so after we leave, possibly descending into a wrenching civil conflict. Recently President Joe Biden met with Afghan leader Ghani in Washington. "Our troops may be leaving, but support for Afghanistan is not ending," Biden said. The president sought to reassure the Afghan leader with $266 million in humanitarian assistance and $3.3 billion in security aid. This aid is all part of a depressing droning by Washington to dump more dollars into the Afghan money pit with the hope of a better outcome. But despite official Washington's wistful political platitudes about holding firm and supporting Afghanistan after the troop pullouts, the fact remains that the psychological pendulum has already shifted to a future Taliban regime. It's not if, but when. This situation is not America's fault, nor any longer its mission, but an accumulated outcome of this South Asian country's military dependence on foreign forces to do the fighting, while a rot of corruption marinated much of the Afghan government and police. Nearly a decade following his retirement, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, once the celebrity-like green-robed leader Washington placed its hopes on, told t that the U.S. and NATO troops being withdrawn from Afghanistan are leaving behind a disaster. He stated, "The international community came here 20 years ago with this clear objective of fighting extremism and bringing stability but extremism is at the highest point today." "So they have failed" he said. He conceded that the Afghans had many failures too, but Karzai alleged that his country was being left "in total disgrace and disaster." Karzai exhibited an ungrateful bitterness toward the Americans and many European allies who sent troops and billions in development aid to help his embattled country fight terrorism, ethnic violence and a pervasive narcotics culture. To the more than 2,200 U.S. troops who died and the 20,000 more with lost limbs and lifelong injuries, this attitude poses an unwarranted insult. America has already sacrificed too much in blood and money to continue in an unending and largely thankless task. The U.N.'s envoy Lyons stated unequivocally, "There is only one acceptable direction for Afghanistan: away from the battlefield and back to the negotiating table." There's no doubt that the people of Afghanistan have been the biggest victims. To this day, fighting kills large numbers of civilians, children have hideous injuries from bombs, and the perpetual conflict since the original Soviet invasion in 1979 has created enduring psychological trauma. Addressing the Security Council, Lyons warned that there was barely time left "to prevent a worse-case scenario from materializing," adding ominously?that "increased conflict in Afghanistan means increased insecurity for many?other countries, near and far." She added that such a conflict "creates a more permissive environment for terrorist groups to recruit, finance, plan and conduct operations with a global reach." The Biden administration plans to end a war ironically by the fateful day on which it started, Sept. 11. What could possibly go wrong? John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." Calls are rising for the police to reinvestigate five cases in which the causes of death were concluded to be suicide, as some people suspect that the similarities among the cases indicate that they may be the work of a serial killer. Screen captured from Cheong Wa Dae website By Lee Hyo-jin Calls are rising for the police to reinvestigate five cases in which the causes of death were concluded to be suicide, including a recent case in Daegu, as some people suspect the deaths may be work of serial killer given the similarities of the cases. According to Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency, two girls aged 18 and 19 were found dead near a construction site in Jung District, around 5 a.m., July 1. One of them was half-naked with bruises on her body. After conducting an initial investigation, the police concluded that the two, who met through a social media channel, jumped to their deaths from the roof of a nearby building. As they found no signs of foul play, officers concluded the deaths were a double suicide. Regarding the partially naked body, the police said, "Both were fully clothed when they went to the roof. The loose pants seem to have come off during the fall." On Friday, a public petition was posted on the Cheong Wa Dae website calling on the law enforcement authorities to reinvestigate the case, as well as four other cases of suicide which occurred over the last six months. The petitioner insisted that police launch the investigations based on the possibility of homicide or even a serial killer, citing similarities among the incidents. The victims were all women and their bodies were found partially naked. A woman in her 60s was found dead half-naked in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province, Dec. 4, 2020. On Jan. 25, a 20-year-old girl was found dead in a rice paddy with some of her clothes lying next to her in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province. Two naked bodies, a woman in her 40s and a teenage girl, were found in streams near an ecological park in Cheongnyang Country, South Chungcheong Province, Jan. 31. On May 12, the half-naked body of a woman in her 20s with no shoes was found in an orchard in Wanju County in North Jeolla Province. "Even though all the bodies were found partially naked in deserted places, the police have closed the investigations saying that 'no signs of foul play were found,'" the petition read, claiming that there are suspicious circumstances and unanswered questions to simply regard them as suicides. "In the Daegu case, it was reported one of the two women had bruises all over her body. If there were no signs of foul play, does it mean the woman voluntarily took off her clothes, beat herself all over the body and jumped to her death?" The petitioner insisted that the five cases could be homicides disguised as suicides or serial murders, and demanded the government conduct thorough reinvestigations. President Moon Jae-in feeds seven puppies of one of the two Pungsan-breed dogs, gifted to him by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at his residence within Cheong Wa Dae in this photo released by the presidential office, Saturday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae By Jun Ji-hye President Moon Jae-in has unveiled seven puppies sired by his own dog named Maru, and born to one of two dogs gifted to him by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader gave President Moon a pair of Pungsan-breed dogs, one named Songkang and one named Gomi, as a gift after the two held summit talks in Pyongyang in September 2018. President Moon wrote on his Facebook account that Gomi had given birth to seven white puppies sired by his dog Maru, also a Pungsan, Saturday. The president noted it has been four weeks since the puppies were born and they have been developing well. But one puppy, following a difficult birth, has experienced problems and has required special care with respect to feeding. President Mon Jae-in feeds a puppy born to a Pungsan-breed dog which he received as a gift from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at his residence in this photo released by Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae Moon added he has yet to name all the puppies and said it will be a difficult task since there are seven of them. Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, right, visits the memorial hall for former President Kim Young-sam in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap Wife, mother-in-law also under investigation for multiple corruption allegations By Kang Seung-woo Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's presidential bid has hit a snag after his mother-in-law was found guilty of violating sections of the Medical Law, Friday, and sentenced to three years in prison, a case that hurts his campaign slogan, "Justice." What's worse is that her conviction for a crime is not the end, with three investigative agencies looking into six other allegations of ethical lapses and corruption made against him and his family, raising concern that any additional guilty verdicts could further derail the leading presidential hopeful's bid. The Uijeongbu District Court convicted Yoon's mother-in-law, surnamed Choi, for collaborating with three business partners to establish a medical foundation and open a long-term care hospital for senior citizens in February 2013, despite having no medical qualifications a violation of the relevant law. In doing so, the 74-year-old and her partners received 2.29 billion won ($2.02 million) in state benefits from the National Health Insurance Service until 2015. After the verdict and sentencing, she was immediately taken into custody. Yoon, who vowed to restore justice and the rule of law in announcing his bid for the presidency last Tuesday, briefly said in a post-trial statement that "no one is above the application of the law." Choi is also on trial at the same district court for alleged document fraud in purchasing land in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in 2013, and has been accused of defrauding a businessman of the management rights to a memorial park in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. The Seoul Metropolitan Police are investigating the latter allegation. Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's mother-in-law, surnamed Choi, arrives at the Uijeongbu District Court in Gyeonggi Province, Friday, for a trial on alleged violations of the Medical Law. She was found guilty and sentenced to three years in jail, being taken into custody immediately. Yonhap Korea's oceans ministry said Sunday it plans to launch a new platform to provide the latest information on the radiation level in local seas to the public amid growing safety concerns over Tokyo's planned release of contaminated water. "We plan to minimize the public's concerns over the safety of our waters and seafood, and bolster monitoring on the radiation level of the ocean," the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said in a statement. In April, the Japanese government said it will release radioactive water stored in tanks at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, possibly starting in 2023. An estimated 1.25 million tons of such water are in temporary storage at the Fukushima nuclear plant on the east coast of Japan, which was devastated by a tsunami triggered by an earthquake in March 2011. The move came as all storage tanks at the Fukushima plant are expected to be full as early as the fall of 2022. Last week, South Korea's parliament also adopted a resolution condemning Japan's plan, reflecting the public's growing concerns. (Yonhap) By Mauricio Cardenas BOGOTA While the United States and other advanced economies are returning to normalcy, Colombia reported its highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths to date during the last week of June. Since early May, the country has been recording one COVID-19 death per 100,000 people per day three times India's rate. Meanwhile, social tensions have erupted in Colombia's cities. In early May, thousands of protesters many of them young forced the withdrawal of a proposed tax reform and the subsequent resignation of the finance minister. Later that month, S&P Global Ratings downgraded Colombian bonds from BBB- rating to BB+, below investment grade, weakening the country's chances of restoring fiscal sustainability. This triad unabated COVID-19, social unrest, and fiscal crisis is not unique to Colombia. Many other developing and emerging economies, especially in Latin America, face a similar set of problems, whereby a worsening of one could exacerbate the others. But this is not a traditional Latin American crisis with technocratic solutions. Instead, the protesters are demanding a change to the political system. In Chile, independents and outsiders will have the upper hand in drafting a new constitution. And in Peru, Pedro Castillo, a left-wing former schoolteacher who advocates nationalizing strategic assets, appears to have shaken the entire political establishment by winning the country's June 6 presidential election. Unfortunately, discontent with traditional politics is resulting in a wave of demagogic populism. In Colombia, riots, protests, and strikes have lasted for two months. While popular support for marches and demonstrations has begun to decline, it is clear that the people are dissatisfied with the political system. A recent poll indicated that 71 percent of Colombians do not identify with any of the country's existing political parties. The direction of political change in Colombia remains uncertain, and will depend on how each of its three problems evolves. On the pandemic front, the vaccination effort had a slow start, owing to supply delays, but is finally gaining speed, with about 12 million doses (one for every four Colombians) having been administered so far. At the current pace, 60 percent of the population could be vaccinated by October 2021. But the high costs of ongoing lockdowns mean that the economy will reopen well before then. The social explosion is also related to the pandemic and its economic impact. According to the National Administrative Department of Statistics, nearly 5 percent of the population 2.1 million Colombians have fallen out of the middle class during the pandemic. And a further 2.7 million who were already poor or vulnerable are now destitute. The first group is frustrated and disappointed, and the second is despairing and angry. Compounding social tensions is the situation of women and young people. The number of employed women has fallen by 15 percent during the pandemic (compared to a 6 percent decline for men). Lockdowns and school closures have kept many women at home where domestic violence has increased and the pandemic has hit sectors in which many of them work, such as services, especially hard. Meanwhile, 27 percent of young people between the ages of 14 and 28 two-thirds of them women are neither working nor studying. Blockages of critical roads, including those to Cali and the Pacific port of Buenaventura, caused the economy to suffer further. Fedesarrollo, an independent think tank, puts the costs of the strikes so far at 0.6 percent of GDP, while food prices increased by 5.4 percent in May, owing to supply disruptions. Negotiations between the government and representatives of the strike committee were suspended in early June. The committee's list of demands, which includes income support equivalent to a minimum salary for the 42.5 percent of the population now living below the poverty line, is likely to worsen an already severe fiscal crisis. The government deficit is expected to be 8.6 percent of GDP this year and 7 percent in 2022. Public debt will rise to 69 percent of GDP in 2022, from 50 percent in 2019. In response, the government proposed its ill-fated tax reform, which would have affected the middle class by broadening the base of value-added tax and personal income tax. A more modest initiative to be paid for entirely by large businesses and wealthy individuals is now in the works, implying that any structural fiscal measures will be postponed until after the 2022 presidential and congressional elections. Pragmatists argue that Colombia's triad of problems presents an opportunity to develop a sensible reform agenda based on increased political participation, a phaseout of inefficient government programs, and more progressive fiscal policy. But this outcome is far from guaranteed, not least because the country is still divided over the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This amounts to a significant barrier to the formation of a centrist coalition that can address key policy issues. The presidential candidate who embodies the populist approach, Gustavo Petro, currently leads opinion polls with the support of 38.3 percent of likely voters. Petro advocates a minimum wage for low-income families, paid by the central bank. Meanwhile, those on the far right are once again using fear to mobilize support. They claim that neighboring Venezuela deliberately orchestrated Colombia's social explosion, in order to destabilize the country. Like Peru recently, Colombia seems destined to choose between two extreme options left-wing anger or right-wing fear unless a viable centrist alternative emerges. And in a faceoff between the radical right and the populist left, the current government's unpopularity will most likely give the left the upper hand. In that case, the resulting fiscal blowout would eventually leave Colombians worse off. What the country urgently needs is political leadership that can respond to the sentiment in the streets with effective strategies to tackle the social and fiscal crises together, while relying on increased vaccination to defeat the pandemic. Sadly, the expectation that democracy will triumph over demagoguery may be wishful thinking. Mauricio Cardenas, a former finance minister of Colombia, is visiting senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. This column was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). By Cory J. Lemke The Spirit of 1776 has proven to be one of the most resilient revolutionary movements in human history, leading to a stable government based on individual freedoms, human rights and the rule of law. In that sense, one may argue the American Revolution has proven to be the most revolutionary movement of all time, premised on the respect and freedom of the individual. This Fourth of July marks the 245th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, which formally initiated the American Revolution. The concepts and wording of the manifesto have since inspired other subsequent revolutionaries and their declarations around the world. But many of these intended revolutions have sputtered out or have morphed into realities quite alien from their revolutionaries' intent. Today, the long-held position of the "Light on the Hill" is being questioned by alternative forms of government which may label themselves as revolutionary but are essentially old wine poured into the cynical bottles of autocracies. These counter examples to liberal democracies boast government action efficiencies in the face of global changes that sweep around with increasing size and rapidity. The current American government looks less capable with highly partisan gridlock while the need for meaningful action increases. Overseas Americans increasingly question if their vote is meaningful. As American citizens residing in one of Asia's most democratic nations, more than ever, we recognize the importance of exercising our right to vote in American elections. As such, our NGO is fundamentally dedicated to helping every U.S. citizen of voting age to vote in their local and U.S. election. While we are unabashedly proud to be Democrats, we are primarily concerned that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, participate in their democracy. The right to vote and to have a say in government is not a given. It must be exercised and protected against those who wish to rule in any guise from top down. The U.S. Forces Korea often describes its mission as "defending Freedom's Frontier." Now, more than ever, that is true. Freedom is not only being challenged from the North but also from many corners of the world. Contrary to many American expatriates' impressions, it is now easier than ever to vote overseas in American elections. We encourage U.S. citizens to visit to request their absentee ballots and instructions on how to vote in their specific state. We also encourage Democratic-leaning Americans to join our organization at and help us spread the word to every American in the Republic of Korea of their voting rights. We wish all Americans as well as our Korean families, friends and colleagues a happy Fourth of July! Cory J. Lemke, whose Korean name is Ha Woon-do, is co-chair of Democrats Abroad Republic of Korea. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times. By James M. Dorsey U.S. President Joe Biden may have little appetite for Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking but seems determined to prevent some third parties from exploiting the regional stalemate to their advantage. That seems to be one message contained in ensuring that King Abdullah of Jordan will be the first Arab leader to visit the White House since Biden took office. The message takes on added significance with the beginning early June of court proceedings against two senior Jordanians accused of sedition and plotting with former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, a half-brother of King Abdullah II, to destabilize the monarchy. The message's significance is enhanced at a time when various Muslim-majority states are competing for religious soft power in the Muslim world. The alleged plot in cooperation with Prince Hamzah and Saudi efforts to protect one of the defendants, Bassam Awadallah, refocused attention on a low key, long-standing Saudi effort to include the kingdom in the administration of the Haram ash-Sharif or Temple Mount in Jerusalem, considered by Muslims to be the third holiest site in Islam. A close associate of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Awadallah is a former chief of the court of King Abdullah and ex-Jordanian finance minister. The Harm ash-Sharif is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The Temple Mount is Judaism's holiest site. It is where Jews believe that God's divine presence is manifested most and to which Jews turn during prayer. Saudi Arabia bases its claim to leadership of the Muslim world on its custodianship of Islam's two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. The Saudi claim, at a time when it is competing for religious soft power, would be significantly boosted by a stake in the administration of the Haram ash-Sharif. In effect, Jerusalem is a crown jewel in what amounts to a battle for the soul of Islam with the administration of its Muslim holy sites vested for the past century in a Jordanian-government controlled endowment. The stakes in the struggle for control of the Jerusalem sites are high. For Saudi Arabia's ruling Al Saud family, it is about bolstering its religious claim to leadership of the Muslim world. For Jordan and its Hashemite monarchs who, unlike the Al Sauds, trace their ancestry to the Prophet Mohammed, it's not just about religious power. With Palestinians accounting for more than 40 percent of Jordan's population, maintaining the status quo in Jerusalem, seen by Palestinians as the capital of a future Palestinian state, is key to ensuring regime survival. Although not charged, Prince Hamzah has been under house arrest since April when Awadallah and the second defendant, Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, a businessman and distant cousin of King Abdullah, were detained. Saudi Arabia fueled suspicion of a Saudi connection to the plot by allegedly mounting a concerted effort when the plot was first disclosed to persuade King Abdullah to allow Awadallah, a Jordanian, U.S. and Saudi national, to go into exile in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia sent its foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud, intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, and a senior official in Prince Mohammed's office to take Awadallah back with them. Jordan's rejection of the Saudi demand was bolstered by support from Biden as well as CIA Director William Burns. Saudi Arabia has denied wanting Awadallah to go into exile in the kingdom. Saudi officials said the visits to Jordan by senior officials were intended to express support for the Jordanian monarch. Denying any Saudi association with the Jordanian plot, Ali Shihabi, a Middle East analyst who often reflects Saudi positions, tweeted: "The only Saudi angle' is Awadallah who also has Saudi nationality and is immensely unpopular in Jordan. He is mentioned in the leaks as having been asked to secure Saudi help by Hamzah. No help was extended in any form and not a shred of evidence supports such allegations." Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi insisted during a visit to Washington in May that efforts to broaden administration of the Haram ash-Sharif constituted a red line. King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's rejection of any attempt to involve third parties in the administration during a subsequent visit to Amman by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Relations between Jordan and Saudi Arabia have flowed and ebbed with the Saudis being irked by King Abdullah's fierce rejection of former U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of all of Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish, including the eastern part of the city conquered from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war, and the president's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan that effectively supported hardline Israeli policies. King Abdullah suspected former Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of favoring a Saudi role in the administration of the Haram ash-Sharif and is uncertain about Netanyahu's successor, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who rejects the notion of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel and supports Israeli settlement activity. Jordanian officials denied reports last year in Israel Hayom, a pro-Netanyahu publication, quoting Saudi diplomats as saying that Jordan was willing to grant Saudi Arabia observer status in the endowment administering the Haram ash-Sharif. Saudi Arabia has not officially announced its quest to wrest control from Jordan of the Haram ash-Sharif, but Saudi interest is evident in various moves by the kingdom in recent years. Flexing the kingdom's financial muscle, Saudi King Salman told an Arab summit in Dhahran in April 2018 that he was donating $150 million to support Islam's holy places in Jerusalem. The donation was in part designed to counter bequests by Turkey, a rival contender for Muslim religious soft power, to Islamic organizations in Jerusalem as well as Turkish efforts to acquire real estate in the city. Saudi Arabia has since clashed with Jordan in Arab fora over Jordan's exclusive control of the administration of the Jerusalem sites and is believed to have been wooing Palestinian religious dignitaries. The risk for Saudi Arabia is that broadening the administration of the Jerusalem sites could blow new wind into latent suggestions that the custodianship of Mecca and Medina also be internationalized. It is a proposition, often put forward by Iran, that sends chills down Saudi spines. Writing in Haaretz in 2019, Malik Dahlan, a Saudi-born international lawyer, who is believed to be close to Prince Hamzah, suggested that the Trump plan for Israel and the Palestinians could work if in the first phase "an agreement on the governance of Jerusalem" was achieved. "This Jerusalem-first approach would involve the idea of integrative internationalization,' which incidentally, I also prescribe for Mecca and Medina," Malik wrote. There was no suggestion that Prince Hamzah shared Malik's views on the holy Saudi sites. KBS should not raise TV subscription fee but tighten its belt The Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), the nation's public broadcaster, decided to raise its TV subscription fee by 52 percent from 2,500 won ($2.2) to 3,800 won at its board of directors meeting last Wednesday. However, the planned hike requires the approval of the National Assembly. If KBS gets the green light from parliament, the state-run broadcaster's annual subscription revenue will increase from the present 657 billion won to 1.08 trillion won. The subscription revenue will also account for 58 percent of the network's annual budget, up from the current 45 percent. In contrast, advertising income will account for 13 percent of KBS's annual budget, down from 22 percent. "On the occasion of raising the subscription fee, KBS will be reborn as the people's broadcaster and live up to its name," KBS President Yang Seung-dong said at a news conference. Yang emphasized that the fee increase was inevitable to fulfill its duty as a public broadcaster. However, not many Koreans seem to be taking his remarks at face value. The KBS board of directors also presented two opinion polls as the basis for its decision, saying a respective 72.2 percent and 79.9 percent of respondents supported the raise. An earlier survey by pollster Research View, however, showed 76 percent of respondents opposed the hike. A board member recommended by the opposition parties said, "KBS lacks devices, including organizations, to secure its impartiality and independence." Even a ruling party lawmaker who chairs the Assembly's related committee criticized the fee hike attempt, describing it as being "out of touch with public sentiment." In its proposal, KBS included pledges for unbiased news reporting, transparent management, cost cuts, expanding content income, and the sell-off of nonessential assets. However, the broadcaster should pursue these goals without raising the subscription fee. Nearly half of KBS employees receive an annual salary of more than 100 million won, with about 1,500 of them not even having an official position. The TV subscription fee is a quasi-tax as it is added to electricity bills, and so all residents of Korea must pay it whether they watch KBS programs or not. Many people are barely eking out a living due to the protracted COVID-19 pandemic. In these stark circumstances, therefore, KBS should not continue its unjustifiable attempt, but present harsh austerity measures and a specific road map to secure fairness and independence. Roh Tae-moon, head of Samsung Electronics' mobile business, introduces the company's Galaxy S21 smartphone during a virtual 'Unpacked' event, Jan. 15. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics is slated to hold an Aug. 11 virtual showcase to introduce its latest foldable phones and other devices, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds, according to overseas media, Sunday. At the virtual "Unpacked" event, Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3, and the Galaxy Watch4 and the Galaxy Watch4 Classic smartwatches. It will also unveil the new Galaxy Buzz2 wireless earbuds, according to overseas media. Samsung had been expected to showcase the Galaxy S21 FE, a cheaper version of its premium Galaxy S21 smartphone, but it scrapped the plan to focus on the new foldable smartphones. A company official said he could not confirm the precise schedule for the Unpacked event "Samsung will issue an invitation and reveal the exact date," he said. A rendered image of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 / Captured from GSMArena An Afghan National Army soldier stands guard at the gate of Bagram U.S. air base in Parwan province, Afghanistan, July 2. Reuters-Yonhap As American troops left their main military base in Afghanistan on Friday, marking a symbolic end to the longest war in U.S. history, locals living in the shadow of the base and in nearby Kabul were left ruing the past and bracing for what comes next. Violence has been raging throughout Afghanistan in the weeks since President Joe Biden announced troops would withdraw unconditionally by Sept. 11. With peace talks in Qatar stuttering, and roughly a quarter of the country's districts having fallen to the Taliban in recent weeks according to one study, many are concerned that chaos looms. Malek Mir, a mechanic in Bagram who saw the Soviet Army and then the Americans come and go, said he had was left with a deep sense of sadness at the futility of a foreign presence. "They came with bombing the Taliban and got rid of their regime - but now they have left when the Taliban are so empowered that they will take over any time soon," he said. "What was the point of all the destruction, killing and misery they brought us? I wish they had never come." More than 3,500 foreign troops have been killed in a two- decade war, which has claimed over 100,000 civilians since 2009 alone, according to United Nations records. Some, however, say the presence of foreign troops distorted Afghanistan's economy and that it is time for the country to stand on its own. A waiter, right, serves a customer, booth wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus, at an entrance of a restaurant terrace as she haven't got QR codes of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test in Moscow, Russia, July 3. AP-Yonhap Russia reported its fifth record for daily COVID-19 deaths in a row on Saturday, as countries around the world rushed to contain the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. The variant has propelled a resurgence of the virus which has already killed nearly four million people, forcing numerous nations to reimpose restrictions well over a year after the pandemic first swept the world. Thousands of troops and police hit the streets in Indonesia to enforce a partial lockdown imposed on Saturday, as the country recorded a record 27,913 new daily cases as well as 493 deaths. Mosques, restaurants and shopping malls were shuttered in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali after the daily caseload quadrupled in less than a month, with the Delta variant blamed. The overwhelmed healthcare system is teetering on the brink of collapse as jammed hospitals turn away patients, leading desperate families to hunt for oxygen tanks to treat the sick and dying at home. "The stricter restrictions came too late," said Jakarta resident Maya Puspita Sari. "Before, people who got COVID-19 were strangers, but now it's also the people closest to me who are infected... The virus is getting so much closer and it's terrifying." Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Myanmar ordered two million people in the second city of Mandalay to stay at home Friday as the coup-hit country struggles to contain coronavirus cases. New measures were also put in place in Portugal, with a night curfew entering into force for nearly half the population in a bid rein in rising Delta infections. People walk on the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, July 3. EPA-Yonhap SEVENTEEN's "Your Choice," BTS's "BTS, THE BEST, and more have been recognized as some of the top albums across the globe. On July 2, the United World Chart revealed the Top 10 albums for the week ending on July 3. Want to know what these K-pop albums are? Then, continue reading! SEVENTEEN "Your Choice" is the World's Top 1 Album for the Week Ending on July 3 Dropped on June 18, SEVENTEEN's "Your Choice" is the No. 1 album in the world this week. This album displays the group's maturity and contains songs that talk about different types of emotions and actions that are connected with love. SEVENTEEN's "Your Choice" scored the new biggest debut this 2021 on the United World Chart. A total of 1,157,000 copies were sold all around the globe. The 13-piece boy group is the only K-pop act to sell more than 1.1 million album copies around the world this week. From the 1,157,000 copies, a total of 975,000 copies were sold in South Korea alone, according to the Hanteo Chart. SEVENTEEN's "Your Choice" has been attaining milestones in South Korea since it was released. In just four days, the boy group became a million-seller. BTS 'BTS, THE BEST" is the World's Top 2 Album for the Week Ending on July 3 BTS's new Japanese album, "BTS, THE BEST," achieved its first appearance on the World's Top 10 Albums list, as well. From June 27 to July 3, BTS's "BTS, THE BEST" sold 797,000 copies all over the world. A total of 794,000 copies were tallied in Japan alone, according to the Oricon Chart. Previously, "BTS, THE BEST" broke the record of the highest first-week sales on Oricon Chart this 2021 with their first-day sales. On June 16, BTS's new Japanese album sold more than 550,000 copies, a total of 571,589 copies to be exact. The K-pop boy group surpassed the record of 467,000 copies sold in the first week, set by SixTONE's "1ST." TWICE, EXO and GOT7 Bambam's Albums are Among the World's Top Albums This Week Other K-pop albums in this week's list of "World's Top 10 Albums" are releases from TWICE, EXO, and GOT7 Bambam. TWICE's "Taste of Love" took the No. 3 spot in its second week on the list. A total of 181,000 more copies were sold from June 27 to July 3. For two weeks, TWICE's new album "Taste of Love" has sold 455,000 copies across the globe. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: TWICE Becomes the First Female K-pop Act to Attain This Billboard 200 Milestone with 'Taste of Love' Another K-pop album that has attained its second week on the list is EXO's "Don't Fight the Feeling." In particular, this is the second time that the album entered the Top 5. EXO's "Don't Fight the Feeling" claimed the No. 5 spot with 132,000 more copies sold. The boy group has already recorded 1,071,000 copies as of July 3. Previously, EXO scored the third-biggest debut on the United World Chart after selling 939,000 copies. The last K-pop album that made it to this week's list of "World's Top 10 Albums" is GOT7 Bambam's "riBBon." This makes the male idol the only Korean soloist to enter the rankings. Bambam's "riBBon" debuted at No. 8 with 72,000 copies sold around the world. On the first day of sales in South Korea (June 15), the album sold more than 50,000 copies. For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz. Owned by Kpopstarz. Written by Mhaliya Scott AI/ML - Software Engineering Manager - Business Intelligence, Siri Experience Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Machine Learning and AI Summary Posted: Jun 30, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200256857 Lead a team who play an instrumental role in how large organizations make critical business decisions. Work with senior leadership across Apple's AI and Machine Learning organization to drive and enhance organization-wide strategic planning and budgeting processes and build tools to support planning work. Key Qualifications 5+ years of industry experience in consulting, business strategy, or early-stage companies A track record of building and leading a team of high-performing software engineers Experienced in working with multiple stakeholders across senior leadership within an organization. History of delivering product level features with multiple internal and external dependencies Ability to create and execute on a multi-year product and technical vision In-depth experience with engineering teams developing server-side languages and web services (engineering and/or product leadership) Description We are looking for someone with a combination of strong technical skills and a dedication to solving complex organizational challenges.. We are looking for the right person who can collaborate with a team of engineers in several technical and organizational areas to help build out our organization's capacity for strategic planning.. You should be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities, have a thirst for new technology Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in a technical or quantitative/business-oriented field or equivalent practical experience. MBA or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering. Preferred Account Clerk $54,190/annually Full time, 35 hours per week benefited position. Position performs responsible accounting and routine administrative functions for the Finance Department as well as duties involved in processing and maintaining financial transactions for the Town, including Payroll and Accounts Payable processing. Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required with accounting course work and three years of responsible office experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Should have knowledge of the principles of bookkeeping and accounting procedures, preferably in a governmental setting; as well as knowledge of payroll processing and accounts payable procedures. Computation skills needed to make and verify information with accuracy; compile statistical data and prepare routine reports and to work under time constraints. Good working knowledge of the English language; spelling and mathematics; modern office practices and procedures, office equipment, of computer data entry and of computer programs such as Microsoft Excel. Must be capable of working under time constraints and deadlines. Selection Process Candidates may be rated based on education, experience, and skills identified on the application, resume and cover letter as they relate to the requirements of this position. Additional examinations may include computer skills testing, written subject matter tests, and/or oral interviews or may be a combination of any of the above. Applications may be obtained from the Department of Human Resources, 800 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002, or on our website at www.bloomfieldct.org and must be submitted to Human Resources along with a resume and cover letter no later Thursday, July 22, 2021. Applications are accepted ONLY by mail, email kroberts@bloomfieldct.org or the drop box at the Town Hall. Town of Bloomfield is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Minorities, women & persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Persons with a disability who may need this information in an alternative format or who may need accommodations during the testing procedure should contact Cindy Coville, ADA Coordinator at 860-769-3538 or at ccoville@bloomfieldct.org. Posted 7/1/21 recblid 9p101u01nq0uziojtjav5lu4wnmvzh Closes: July 22, 2021 @ 8:59 p.m. PST Content Producer Level I and II (May specialize in Digital or Multimedia Content) Department: Communications Reports To: Digital Media Manager or Content Manager Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk Full Time Salary: Level I - $25.97-$27.82 + Benefits* / Level II - $29.16-$31.24/hour + Benefits* Requisition #: 252 *The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave. Application Requirements: Resume Cover letter that addresses your experience with the positions duties. Sample of work: 1 3 published writing samples; 2 3 social media graphics from a campaign and a description of how it/they were used in the campaign; a short social media video that shows off your short-form storytelling skills (a link is okay); 2 -3 photos that display editing skills (e.g., cropping; written explanation to go with photos is okay). Position Summary: This position is responsible for creating digital or multimedia content for the Communications Department. This position works as a team member in support of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Level I is expected to handle moderately complex work assignments and disseminates content. Sound judgment and the ability to establish priorities to determine the best methods to accomplish work is expected. Application of general office fundamentals including operating office equipment, basic math and the ability to follow written and oral instructions is expected. Level II acts as a Team Lead position and deals with highly complex content projects and is expected to act as a resource to others; work assignments involve creative thinking and the ability to make non-routine decisions. Interruptions and changing priorities are regular occurrences and tight deadlines create job challenges. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Level I Assist with digital media as needed, including posting to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc., in coordination with digital media manager Create a variety of multimedia content for use with the website, Tribal Newspaper, press releases, etc. This may include including digital graphics, written articles, photos, photo essays, and short-form videos. Develop story, photo and/or video ideas and contribute to the Communications Departments editorial calendar of topics to cover. Research and respond to internal and external requests for information, answer questions and either route or resolve issues and concerns. Proofread written material. Enter event information into calendars both owned by and external to the Tribe. Assist with media relations for the Tribe, under the direction of the communications director or other staff. Contribute to crisis communications response as needed. Perform other duties as assigned. Level II all of Level I duties and the following: Plans and implements complex content projects, such as multi-day, multimedia series. Example for illustration purposes only: Under supervision of content manager, researches and serves as lead writer for a three-part Puyallup Tribal News series, including outlining main stories and identifying worthwhile supplemental videos, sidebars and photo essays that other staff or contractors can produce, and, under content managers supervision, negotiating areas of responsibility within the content project. Acts as team lead for public relations and other content projects that involve multiple employees, contract contributors and/or departments. Examples for illustration purposes only: Under supervision of content manager, leading Firecracker Alley public relations and promotions, including outlining work plan, coordinating vendors and billing through communications coordinators, and serving as lead writer but also working with contractors to produce supplemental content. Supervisory Responsibilities This position has no supervisory responsibilities. Qualifications and Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and Experience Level I: HS Diploma/GED required. Bachelors degree from an accredited college in Marketing, Communications or Journalism or a related field preferred. Candidates should be able to demonstrate understanding of effective social media use and other digital best practices. Candidate should be able to demonstrate digital photo editing experience. Candidates should understand relevant tools for website and other digital media management and be able to write effective content specifically for website and social media. Audio/visual experience such as with streaming live on-location events a plus. Candidates should be able to demonstrate a combination of writing, photography and short-form video (for social media, for example) skills with strength in at least one area and a basic understanding of the other two. Level II: All of the Level I requirements and two years of content production experience. Candidates may be hired as level II if they are able to demonstrate that they meet the level II requirements. Employees hired as a level I may move to a level II after two years of experience in the position and must demonstrate the ability to perform level II duties. Level I and II: Intermediate to extensive knowledge of word processing is required. Ability to use digital content tools such as cameras and social media platforms. Strong interest in web-based communications and knowledge of web editing skills preferred. Working knowledge of Associated Press style preferred. Must have experience in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information. Must be able to work long hours and carry and unpredictable schedule. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to follow oral instructions and write news and feature stories using correct English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ration and percentages. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Licenses, Certificates Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State drivers license and proof of insurance. Drivers License restrictions must not prevent the employee from complying with the Tribes Vehicle Use Policy or driving a GSA vehicle. Other Requirements Must have reliable transportation. Must demonstrate strong communication skills, both written and oral. Must demonstrate an eye for detail. Must be able to multi-task and set priorities. This position may be required to telework on either a part time or full time basis depending upon the needs of the department and the organization. If required to telework, employee agrees to complete the Telework Agreement and abide by the Telework Policy and work expectations. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier. Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English. Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level is moderate. The physical exertion is low to moderate. The employee is frequently exposed to outside weather Exposure to hazardous materials in minimal. Requires travel using employees own transportation. May be required to work nights, weekends or holidays. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law Online Application Tips: If you are using a MAC, use Safari. If you are using a PC, use Chrome. Do not use a mobile cellular device. Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, tribal documentation, etc.). Please include copies of any required degrees, certificates, training, etc. Native Hiring Preference If selecting a native category (native, spouse, descendant), send in the appropriate documentation. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, contact us. Provide 3+ references. We cannot obtain references from direct family members (parents, grandparents, siblings, or children). One reference must be a recent past or present supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, skills/abilities, and attendance. To add more employment, education, or references, click on the small blue + sign in the upper right corner of the page. When entering salaries, use only numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as , . or $). After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call contact Human Resources to confirm receipt. If you have any questions about the online application, please call (253) 573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. recblid e1rbzayr97wfcpbxbm4aex527451g1 The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is seeking an Information Technology Analyst II to serve as a Business or Quality Assurance Analyst for the Jury Administration Unit. Preference will be given to candidates who have knowledge in the following: Visual Studio / TFS Creating and maintaining project documentation Drafting and maintaining business requirements and technical requirements Creating and maintaining test plans and testing documentation The preferred candidate will possess the following experience in either/or the specific functional areas of: Business Analysis: Manages moderately complex level system and project requirements; identifies changes to scope and tracks requirements through implementation; defines key business processes and identifies critical paths of the operations; identifies the impact of technology on business processes; working with the project team, proposes, documents and assesses technical solutions to business needs, and verifies and validates moderately complex level system specifications; identifies process gaps; translates business needs into systems specifications; utilizes elicitation and facilitation techniques; entry level task coordination in support of project management. Quality Assurance: Analyzes moderately complex level project documents; identifies the impact of technology changes on current systems; develops test strategies; translates systems specifications, written or derived, into test plans and test scripts; executes test plans and test scripts and documents results and defects; coordinates the resolution of system defects; monitors test plans and verifies that development deliverables are consistent with the systems specifications. Starting Salary $83,403 plus State of Connecticut benefits. EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING General Experience: Six (6) years of experience in information technology (IT), programming, systems/software development or another IT related field with a concentration in the specific area of the position being applied for. Special Experience: One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the Information Technology Analyst I level or its equivalent. Substitutions Allowed: 1) College training in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering or related area may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling six (6) months of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelors degree. 2) A Masters degree in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering or related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. 3) Relevant certification in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering, project management or related area may be substituted for up to six (6) months of the general experience. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Incumbents may be required to travel within the State in the course of their daily work. Applications must be received by July 19, 2021. Applications should be submitted through the on-line application site at: www.jud.ct.gov/hronline/. Paper applications will not be accepted. Please reference posting number 21-1000-012 AA/EOE recblid 1at5wnk9htoigjr0fwahtjcl24i151 Senior System Software Engineer Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Software and Services Summary Posted: Jul 1, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200259369 The Apple Cloud Silicon and Intelligence (ACSI) team is looking for an exceptional software engineer to create highly performant and energy efficient systems that will power the next generation of data centers. In this highly collaborative role, you will be at the center of multiple efforts to utilize hardware acceleration for machine learning and high performance computing workloads. You will partner with hardware teams and have the opportunity to influence our future direction for hardware. We are looking for someone with proven mastery of system software development. You should have a strong mix of education and practical experience with a real passion for diving head first into exciting problems. Key Qualifications 10+ years of experience as a System software developer Strong understanding of hardware components and hardware/software interactions Experience with Low level software and computer architecture. Good understanding of network technologies, protocols and procedures for iOS and macOS Proficiency in C/C++ Experience with Swift, Objective-C and Apple development tools is a definite plus! Passion for software architecture, APIs and high performance extensible software. Creative, collaborative, and product-focused Excellent interpersonal skills Description You will work cross-functionally with architecture, platform design, SOC architects, and software teams to develop and integrate best in class hardware, software and services. You will be responsible for building and maintaining system software that powers next generation of data centers. You will ensure high quality and agility with unit tests, integration tests and performance tests. YOU ARE THE RIGHT MATCH IF: You possess strong skills in software design and programming. You are passionate about developing new features, maintaining existing code, fixing bugs. You have experience with low level software and computer architecture is expected. You have strong problem-solving skills. You are skilled at the art of communicating and enjoy it Education & Experience M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience Additional Requirements Advancement opportunities to all applicants, including minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. Apple will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. If you are applying for a position in San Francisco, please click here. Apple participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more. Apple's committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. Learn more. Apple is a drug-free workplace. Learn more. Future teacher Jennifer Carmona on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus. Ouachita Baptist University graduate Dr. Jeremy Greer is the new dean of OBUs Pruet School of Christian Studies. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The proposed Kinshasa Declaration, launchedat the Generation Equality Forum, outlines concrete actions for African Union member countries to advance gender equality in Africa by 2030; The proposed Kinshasa Declaration calls for doubling the number of womens organizations that can access funds from national economic stimulus programs and external funding. A delegation of African women led by Her Excellency Madame Gisele Ndaya, Minister of Gender, Family and Children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madame Julienne Lusenge, gender expert on the Panel of Experts in charge of accompanying President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo during his presidency of the African Union for 2021/2022 shared the proposed Kinshasa Declaration on the sidelines of the Generation Equality Forum (https://bit.ly/3wdRHDZ) being held in Paris from June 30 to July 2. The proposed Kinshasa Declaration, drafted during the Conference on Gender Equality held in Kinshasa on June 10, is the result of a large mobilization of pan-African groups including youth, civil society, researchers, government officials, activists and international organizations. One of the main objectives of the conference was to show the collective capacity of the participants and organizers to foster a more just world, where gender equality is no longer a struggle but a reality for future generations. The proposed Kinshasa Declaration builds on existing texts on gender equality in Africa and a series of new recommendations. Its goal is to encourage the member states of the African Union to expand their actions in favor of gender equality and to put in place strong systems to evaluate progress. For the Minister of Gender, Family and Children of the DRC, Ms. Gisele Ndaya, this declaration offers concrete proposals for the member countries of the African Union. She highlighted that one of the key recommendations of the declaration is to campaign for a quota system of at least 40% of women, including 10% of young women under 35 years of age in national government bodies, and in elective and nominative positions, by 2030, in order to increase the rate of womens participation in decision-making bodies on the African continent. Julienne Lusenge, member of the Panel of Experts in charge of accompanying the DRC during its chairmanship of the African Union for the year 2021/2022 said: This proposed declaration makes a crucial contribution to the AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Womens Empowerment by proposing concrete actions and tools for measuring success towards gender equality in Africa by 2030. Through this proposed Declaration, we call for, among other measures, the development and strengthening of human rights and culture of peace curricula in at least 50% of primary and secondary schools, including the integration of age-appropriate information on existing laws, conventions, and action plans with a focus on gender equality and positive masculinity by 2030. According to the delegation, the proposed Kinshasa Declaration will be shared with African Union stakeholders, member states, civil society, international organizations and relevant bodies within African governments after the Generation Equality Forum. The objective is to the adoption of this Declaration at the next meeting of the African Union in 2022. MDBs publish 2020 Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks Climate Finance; Eight MDBs committed $66 billion for climate finance in 2020, up from $61.6 billion; Of the total, 58 per cent was committed in low- and middle-income countries. Climate finance committed by major multilateral development banks (MDBs) rose to a total of $66 billion last year from $61.6 billion in 2019, according to the 2020 Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks Climate Finance (https://bit.ly/3dxJ6pf), published today. Of this, 58 per cent or $38 billion was committed to low- and middle-income economies. The total climate co-finance committed during 2020 alongside MDB resources was $85 billion. Together, MDB climate finance and climate co-finance totalled more than $151 billion. The amount of private direct mobilisation stood at $5.9 billion. Accelerating the transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies through climate finance is a key element of the MDBs effort to align their activities with the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement to keep global warming well below 2C, with efforts to limit it to 1.5C, along climate-resilient development pathways. In the past six years, the MDBs have jointly committed a total of $257 billion in climate finance, of which $186 billion was directed at low- and middle-income economies. The annual report is a key indicator on the progress MDBs are making on accelerating the delivery of climate finance, for which demand is clearly going to grow over time. This years report marks the end of the reporting period tracking individual climate finance pledges since 2015; for most, 2021 will mark the start of a new increase in ambition. In 2019, at the UN Secretary-Generals Climate Action Summit, MDBs announced (https://bit.ly/3jwEQtK) their expected joint annual climate action finance to 2025. These include at least $65 billion, with $50 billion of MDB climate finance for low-income and middle-income countries; an increase in adaptation finance to $18 billion; and private direct mobilisation of $40 billion. The MDBs will continue to improve their tracking and reporting of climate finance in the context of their commitments to ensure consistent financial flows to the countries long-term, low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways, as established in Article 2.1 of the Paris Agreement, says the 2020 report, which is the tenth in the series. Of the 2020 total of $66 billion, $63 billion came from the MDBs own accounts and almost $3 billion from external resources channelled through and managed by MDBs. These included the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) , Green Climate Fund (GCF) and climate-related funds under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) , EU blending facilities and others. The African Development Banks share of climate change related investments has increased four-fold from 2016 to 2019 and is expected to reach 40% of the Banks total investment at the end of 2021, said Mr. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Officer-In-Charge Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank. We are on track to mobilize the target of $25 billion between 2020 and 2025 to support investments that address climate change and promote green growth, he added. The 2020 financing helped play a key role in supporting countries to embed green and climate-focused solutions as part of their recoveries from the impact of COVID-19. While these programmes affected MDBs normal lending operations and thus the delivery of their climate finance targets, seeing the total commitments for low- and middle-income countries dip from 2019s $41.5 billion, the 2020 report says interventions and support from the MDBs laid a solid foundation for building back better for a greener, more resilient, post-Covid-19 future. Nearly $50 billion (76 per cent) of total MDB climate finance in 2020 was associated with climate change mitigation investments that aim to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and slow down global warming. Of this, 50 per cent went to low- and middle-income economies. More than $16 billion (24 per cent) for climate change adaptation finance was invested in adaptation efforts to help countries build resilience to the mounting impacts of climate change, including worsening droughts and more extreme weather events, from flooding to rising sea levels. Of this, 83 per cent was directed for low- and middle-income economies. The 2020 MDB report, coordinated by the EBRD, combines data from the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) (www.ADB.org), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (www.AIIB.org), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (www.EBRD.org), the European Investment Bank (EIB) (www.EIB.org), the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDBG) (www.IADB.org), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the World Bank Group (WBG) (www.WorldBank.org). AIIB data is fully incorporated for the first time. As part of the MDBs ambition to extend and enhance climate finance reporting, the 2020 report also summarises information on climate finance tracking from the New Development Bank (NDB), presented separately from the joint figures and not yet included in the MDB climate finance total. Within the state, Fulton County maintains the top spot with the highest case rate of the 67 counties, with 55.1 weekly population-adjusted cases nearly 6 times the statewide rate. Philadelphia which was in 10th place two days ago has risen to 5th place statewide with 22.92 weekly population-adjusted cases. There were 154 new cases reported in Philadelphia on Friday, 14 times greater than Lehigh County, which reported 11 new cases, the second-highest number of any county Friday. Whitehall-Coplay started a deep dive into its practices and school climate in 2018, contracting with Faces International to conduct surveys and focus groups. Tyrone Russell wrote a report summarizing issues, such as women not feeling included in decision-making processes, Arabic- and Spanish-speaking parents not feeling connected to what was going on because of language barriers, and students feeling teachers reprimanded more than they listened. A small group of stakeholders started to dive back into that report in 2019-20. This year, the district regrouped and formed an Equity Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, or EDITForce, to have conversations with staff and students, conduct professional development in the area of equity and diversity, and next year, begin forming an equity action plan with the help of a supervisor of educational equity. This summer, the board is expected to approve an equity policy committing the district to this work. After it comes up with an equity action plan, leadership wants to regularly audit the effectiveness of the plan. The districts new superintendent signed the district up for the Greater Lehigh Valley Consortium for 2021-22. Jadallah said the remnants of the demolished building would be removed immediately after with the intent of giving rescuers access for the first time to parts of the garage area that is a focus of the search. Such access could give officials a clearer picture of the voids that might exist in the rubble and could possibly harbor survivors. Overturning the trial courts determination to the contrary, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concluded that the testimony of Cosby at the earlier civil trial was provided only after an enforceable oral non-prosecution agreement was entered into with Cosby, and that Cosby relied on that agreement in providing his testimony at the civil trial. Allowing the admission of the inculpatory testimony, according to the Court, violated Cosbys due process rights. I firmly believe that rather than repeating the mistakes of the past that being entering into an emergency contract with an out-of-state vendor it would be prudent to pump the brakes, and I think the Department of Health needs to come clean with the people of Pennsylvania, said Phillips-Hill, who is chair of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee. Business Bring petrol under GST regime, FKCCI appeals to FM Bengaluru, Jul 3 (IANS) | Publish Date: 7/3/2021 1:54:40 PM IST The members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), led by its president Perikal M. Sundar, on Friday appealed to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to bring petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime besides reducing the GST on commodities required for daily needs to contain inflation. The FKCCI in its memorandum also urged the Finance Minister to waive off of the processing fees to sanction fresh loans, besides enhancing the existing loans granted to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. In addition to this, the FKCCI demanded that the banks and financial institutions should not insist for additional collateral security while providing stimulus to other economic sectors such as garment, hospitality, education etc. The FKCCI also sought exemption from rigorous and time-consuming procedure in complying with private placement provisions while raising capital, allowing allotment of shares to angel investors at discounted price under Series A funding, bringing back the Companies Fresh Startup Scheme and LLP Settlement Scheme for startups. The memorandum also demanded the merging of Form DPT 3 (return of deposits form) with annual returns to help reduce the compliance burden for small companies. International Iran denies links to attacks on U.S. forces DUBAI, Jul 3 (Reuters) | Publish Date: 7/3/2021 1:57:25 PM IST Iran denied on Saturday U.S. accusations that Tehran supported attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned U.S. airstrikes on Iranian-backed militants there, state media reported. On Tuesday, the United States told the U.N. Security Council that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities. But Irans U.N. envoy, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said: Any claim to attribute to Iran... any attack carried out against American personnel or facilities in Iraq is factually wrong and void of the minimum requirements of authenticity and reliability, according to the official news agency IRNA. Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the 15-member Security Council must immediately be informed of any action that states take in self-defence against armed attack. Washington told the United Nations that the airstrikes hit facilities used by militia blamed for an escalating series of drone and rocket attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq. State LYH, LSU to shut down telecom offices in Wokha DIMAPUR, JUL 3 (NPN) | Publish Date: 7/3/2021 1:44:32 PM IST Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH) and Lotha Students Union (LSU) Saturday announced their decision to completely shut down the network towers and offices of all the telecom/network service providers within Wokha district for a minimum of two days on July 4 and July 5. LYH and LSU through joint media cell said they took the decision during a joint meeting on June 29, 2021 in response to the insincerity, lackadaisical and failure to deliver the commitments made by the telecom/ network service providers of Wokha. After shutting down the offices for two days, the two bodies said they would initiate any appropriate measure if they did not receive any positive response from the service providers. The two bodies stated that the telecom companies failed to uphold their commitments made on August 4, 2020 and October 19, 2020 when they assured to provide good services to the consumers. Meanwhile, LYH and LSU has sought cooperation from all the consumers and appealed to them to bear the inconveniences during the shutdown. Regional Meghalaya Governor seeks probe into Gurugram deaths Correspondent Shillong, Jul 4 | Publish Date: 7/4/2021 12:22:06 PM IST Meghalaya Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Sunday sought investigation into the deaths of two youth from the North East under suspicious circumstances at Gurugram in the National Capital Region recently Rosy Sangma died at Alfaa Hospital in Gurugram on June 24, after the medical staff of the hospital allegedly fed her ice-cream while she was in the ICU. While her cousin brother Samuel Sangma was also late found dead, allegedly hanging himself from the ceiling in the hotel at Gurugram, where he was staying. The mysterious twin deaths of a Garo air hostess at a private hospital in Gurugram and her young nephew in quick succession have created outrage in the state. Governor Malik has taken cognizance of media reports and outrage over the unnatural deaths of both the individuals of North East and has taken note of the petition addressed to him on the matter, a communique issued by the Raj Bhawan, Shillong noted. The communique stated that Governor Malik has already taking up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah through a letter. Malik, who is travelling to New Delhi on Sunday assured that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities for a free, fair and expeditious investigation into the matter and to ensure justice for the two deceased. International U.N. warns of worsening famine, more clashes in Ethiopias Tigray London, Jul 3 (Agencies) | Publish Date: 7/3/2021 1:57:08 PM IST Recent fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has resulted in a famine that is now affecting more than 400,000 people, UN officials say. In its first public meeting on the crisis, members of the UN Security Council warned that as many as 33,000 children were severely malnourished. Officials said that a further 1.8m people were on the brink of famine as a result of the eight-month conflict. They also warned of further clashes despite the declaration of a ceasefire. The Ethiopian government, which has been fighting regional forces in Tigray, declared a unilateral ceasefire on Monday. However, rebels vowed to drive their enemies from the region and there have been reports of sporadic clashes as pressure builds internationally for all sides in the conflict to pull back. The fighting between the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and government forces has already left thousands of people dead and more than two million people have been displaced. All sides in the conflict have been accused of carrying out mass killings and human rights violations. On Friday, several thousand captured Ethiopian soldiers were paraded through the streets of the Tigrayan regional capital Mekelle. On Friday, the UNs acting humanitarian aid chief told members of the Security Council at a meeting in New York that the situation in Tigray had deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. The region was experiencing the worst famine situation we have seen in decades, Ramesh Rajasingham said. Close to 5.2 million people still require humanitarian assistance - the great majority of them women and children, he added. The Ethiopian government has denied allegations that it is been blocking aid after Tigrayan rebels took control of much of the northern region earlier this week. The British Columbia wildfires are growing so large they can create wild firestorms as heat and fumes rise up the sky from the burning Canada. These firestorms composed of pyrocumulonimbus clouds created by intense heat from the Earth's surface was believed to generate its own weather including dangerous fire tornadoes and create a cycle of ferocious fires. In Lytton, British Columbia, the fire has burned a large area of the village with temperatures hitting 121.2 degrees Fahrenheit - 49.5 degrees Celsius - as of Tuesday. According to the Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, some locals have been missing since the fire and majority of homes and infrastructure in the village was destroyed, as well as their local ambulance station. Two more fires were reported on Wednesday, and as of Thursday, 90% of Lytton was burnt by the 20,000-acre fire, forcing 250 residents to evacuate. With the subsequent wildfires occurring in the village, satellite images above Lytton showed 'incredible and massive storm-producing pyrocumulonimbus plumes', as described by meteorologist Dakota Smith of Colorado's Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere. 'Fire-breathing Clouds' Above Wildfire Smoke As hot smoke released from extreme fires ascend into the atmosphere in the form of plumes and reach temperatures above 800C, the result can essentially create its own weather system. According to NASA, the storms generated by pyrocumulonimbus clouds can create hundreds of dry lightning which strikes in the absence of rain, sparking a blaze and further spreading fire. One concrete event of the phenomenon was the 2020 California Creek Fire which created one of the largest pyrocumulonimbus cloud witnessed in the US, three times larger than the size of Seattle. One of the worst-case scenario this cloud produces is fire tornado, when large tracts of burning land forms full thunderstorm within the plumes. The 2003 Canberra bushfire in Australia can testify the severity of the phenomenon when the city burned for about two weeks straight. Also read: Experts Point at Extreme Heat Wave for the Hundreds of Deaths Across Northwest US The Ever-Changing Climate If you get a penny every time climate change plays a role in major natural disasters in Earth, you would probably be mega-rich. What does the ever-changing climate had to do with Canada's devastating wildfires? It sure is a lot of things. Due to the rising temperatures, dry air and vegetation, resuscitating a blaze of fire is a no-brainer. As wildfires become larger and more severe, fire-generated storms are also becoming more common. 17 occurrences of the said storm were calculated way back year 2002 in Canada, the US, and Mexico. 20 years later, the number rose to 25 in western North America alone. If you thought things cannot get any worse, these storms can actually penetrate as high as the stratosphere, funneling and storing smoke from below the ground to the sky above for months or even years. In a 2018 study, it was found that the mass of smoke aerosol particles injected into the Earth's stratosphere was comparable to that of a moderate volcanic eruption. Also read: 'Living Close to Hell'- Historic Heat Wave Blamed for Killing 63 in Oregon The rainbow bee, also known as Homalictus fijiensis, is a crucial plant pollinator that's distributed all over the archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Indonesia. Rainbow Bee Well known for their conspicuous colors, these plant pollinators play a crucial role in the maintenance of local ecosystems. And they do this by distributing pollen and assisting in plant growth. Now, a new paper proposes their existence in some places may be because of human intervention, and that the present world may have appeared very different if humans hadn't taken over their habitat. Rainbow bees only inhabit the lowlands of Fiji thousands of years ago, but about 1000BC, humans came into their habitat and started clearing the land and bringing in new weeds and plants into the area. That seems to have aided them since rainbow bees love nesting in clear and open land. Lead author James Dorey, a researcher from Flinders University said in a statement that previous research linked the relatively current population expansion to warming climates, but study shows a fascinating and positive response from an indigenous species to human modifications to the landscape which began about 1000BC. Adding that this species is a pollinator that pollinates many plant species (super-generalist pollinator). And one of the most crucial bee pollinators in Fiji really appears to have gained from the arrival of humans and subsequent land clearing in Fiji. Also Read: Insecticides Killing Bees Officially Banned by the European Union Populations of Bee in Fiji James Dorey's team did not note any corresponding change in the population of bees on the island of Kaadu, where human activity is lesser. Authors of the study say the research reveals how the impact of human intrusion can be concluded even when there are no fossil records. After the phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and genomic DNA of Fiji's indigenous bee populations, the conclusions were made. This revealed "that bee populations in Fiji increased greatly, beginning about 3000 years ago and increasing rapidly from about 2000 years ago," researchers said in a statement. The study also gives a new deeper understanding on how today's world was formed by our ancestors' decisions. Emerging Picture of the Pacific Dr. Stephen Zagala, SA Museum's research fellow in World Cultures said early European tourers and naturalists were not aware that large-scale human dispersals had already been changing the ecologies of Pacific islands for a period of 1,000 years. Zagala said this study contributes useful details to an emerging picture of the Pacific as an extremely cultivated landscape. Following centuries of human impact on the ecosystems in the world, a new study from Flinders University details an instance of how a common endemic bee species has thrived since the initial land clearances by humans on Fiji. In a new paper in Molecular Ecology (DOI: 10.1111/mec.16034), research headed by Flinders University examines a connection between the increase of Homalictus fijiensis, a bee that is common in the lowlands of Fiji. Related Article: Modern Pesticides' Harmful Effects on Bees Worsened in the Last Decade For more news, updates about bees and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! The government has admitted that it is struggling to meet demand for Covid-19 vaccines at a time the country is recording a surge in infections and deaths. Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri, who chairs the Covid-19 taskforce, told journalists on Friday that despite the vaccine shortages, the government was confident that 60% of Zimbabweans would be vaccinated by October. Zimbabwe recorded 1 442 new cases and 33 deaths on Friday, with an average of 1 063 cases per day in the past week. Government has procured two million more vaccines to ensure that there is consistency in the roll-out programme, Muchinguri said. As it is right now, the demand is outweighing the supply. Scientific evidence obtained at higher education institutions shows that those who are not vaccinated are suffering more from the complications than those who received their jabs. As it is right now, actually demand is higher than supply, but there is assurance from the government that it will procure more doses to reach the herd immunity of 60% by October. We are also pleased by the compliance in the civil service. About 90% of the security officers have been vaccinated. The government says people living in border towns such as Beitbridge, Plumtree, Kazungula, Kariba, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Mutare will be prioritised in its mass vaccination programme. We are also targeting airports, said Maxwell Hove, chief director curative services in the Health and Child Care ministry. Most of our outbreaks are imported from other countries. This is to create herd immunity in border towns and protect against the spread of Covid-19 from other countries. Peoples markets such as Mbare Musika, Renkini, Sakubva and others are priorities. Hove said an analysis of new infections and deaths showed that vaccination was helping in fighting against severity of Covid-19. He said the majority of vaccinated people who were testing positive for the coronavirus had no symptoms or had mild sickness. Hove confirmed that there were some vaccinated, people who were succumbing to the disease, but most of them had other pre-existing conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and chronic renal failure. Those who are not vaccinated are also experiencing severe disease. That is why medical scientists are encouraging people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones, he said. Most of those who are vaccinated and succumbing to the virus have other co-morbidities. Agnes Mahomva, chief co-ordinator of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic, said complacency was the major driver of the third wave. Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a surge in cases and deaths for the past two weeks, Mahomva said. This has been mainly a result of complacency, she said in a virtual address to citizens. As of Wednesday June 30, we saw our seven-day rolling average of new cases going up to over 900 compared to a week ago when we had 13 per day and this is really of concern. We need to make sure that we are compliant with all the recommended measures if we are serious and we want this epidemic to end soon. We must social-distance, wash our hands with soap and water, and we must get vaccinated. Vaccination prevents you from getting the disease. If you get it, it prevents you from getting severely ill, getting hospitalised and dying from the disease. So it is critical that we follow all the preventative measures. Standard When controversial rapper Maskiri, born Alishias Musimbe, released his new track Mbinga from Binga, everyone was curious to hear what the veteran musician had to say on the track. Like always, he had to throw in controversial rhymes that have divided feelings on social media. In the song, Maskiri at 0:10 seconds sings, Handina musoro kunge Tapiwa Makore, a reference to the brutally murdered Murewa boy, Tapiwa Makore. Makore (7) was slain in cold blood allegedly by his uncles in September 2020 in Nyamutumbu Village, Murewa in a suspected ritual murder. Makores remains were eventually buried without his head this year in March. The Tapiwa [Makore] line was not insensitive as many would have thought, its a metaphor, Maskiri said. I deliberately used the line so that people can revisit the Tapiwa Makore conversation, people had been quiet and forgetful. I think it really worked and made people talk about it. The Tapiwa Makore story saddens me and I dont wish to see that brutal killing happening to anyone especially at that young age, I hope his family finds comfort. Recently Maskiri was slammed by fans for insensitive lyrics with his recent track Mabude, where he chants semota yana Moana handina kutsva mafuse in reference to socialite Moanas horrendous death in a car accident. The socialite was part of a crew that was burnt beyond recognition in November last year after Genius Ginimbi Kadungures Rolls Royce was involved in a head-on collision with another car and hit a tree before exploding in Borrowdale on their way to Domboshava from a night of partying. At the turn of the millennium that saw the rise of urban grooves, Maskiris music was labelled obscene and banned from radio. Explaining the title track to his upcoming album, Mbinga from Binga, Maskiri said the title was inspired by the fact that he is the king of hip-hop. The album is out next week, the title Mbinga has been used around a lot, and it means a rich and powerful person. However, the word has always existed and I feel Im a mbinga in my own right, he said. Im not a flashy and flamboyant mbinga and not a mbinga in money senses. Im a mbinga from Binga, a humble. Binga is where the original mbingas come from, and as hip-hop goes in Zimbabwe I am the original mbinga of hip-hop, rich of lyrics and the culture in me, said Maskiri. Mbinga from Binga will carry 14 tracks including Muvakidzani, which will be released today. Standard A perfect storm is brewing in council-run clinics, which are currently plagued by a debilitating mass staff exodus. Poor remuneration and working conditions, coupled with the huge demand for health personnel in the region and beyond as countries expand their healthcare systems to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, is believed to be fuelling the brain drain. Harare City Council, which runs 15 health facilities, recently lost more than 300 nurses and midwives. We are working with a skeleton staff and under such situations, a lot happens. At least 300 nurses have resigned in the recent past, said City of Harare spokesperson Michael Chideme. In some cases, service is compromised while others have to wait for too long to be attended to, if they are attended to at all. The Government is taking over the payment of salaries while we will also chip in where we can. We have also resorted to locums (a person who stands in for someone else) with increased allowances and proposed that we have our own training centre to allow for continuity and our nurses to bond. These measures could help improve the situation. Healthcare workers are seeking greener pastures abroad while others are joining local private organisations that offer better packages. Most of the health institutions are poorly manned and they offer services to a selected few. A general nurse or midwife is paid between $15 000 and $20 000 by Harare City Council, while those in the private sector are earning about US$800 or the equivalent ($65 000) at the official exchange rate. The appetite for trained health personnel has been high abroad, particularly in Europe and America. However, these countries are currently recruiting more workers to cope with the global health crisis of Covid-19. The continued haemorrhage of critical staff is said to be linked to the deteriorating standards of healthcare at council clinics, including malfeasance. There have been cases of pregnant women being forced to pay bribes to get preferential treatment and assistance. Also, some patients are having to spend hours queuing to be served. Private health facilities in most high-density areas are considered to be prohibitively expensive as they charge about US$20 or equivalent as consultation fees, compared to US$5 at municipal health centres. Mai Tafi from Norton knows how unacceptably inconveniencing it can be to unsuccessfully seek emergency treatment at a municipal clinic. She recently sought assistance after her toddler sustained serious burns. My child suffered while they (nurses) watched without taking any action. She sustained some burns after a pot . . . fell on her . . . I had to travel to my home area in Norton and eventually she was admitted at Norton Hospital. In some cases, the health personnel at the clinics are outrightly rude. The Sunday Mail Society witnessed a verbal spat between a patient who had tested positive for Covid-19 and nurses at Kuwadzana Polyclinic, who turned him away without advising him how he could manage his condition. Health workers are ordinarily guided by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Child Welfare protocols on how to handle Covid-19 cases. This is meant to prevent further transmissions and adverse health outcomes for patients. Brian (surname withheld), who worked at St Marys Clinic for six years before resigning a few months ago after securing employment in Cyprus, said the working conditions were bad. Sometimes we would go for four or so months without salaries. The situation was bad. The patients have no choice, but to pay the little bribes, which will still be far less than what is charged by private surgeries, he said. Some desperate patients even end up bribing pharmacies to purchase medication without prescriptions or simply buying drugs on the black market, which might be unhelpful for their medical conditions. We have been surviving on meagre allowances for a long time, which makes it difficult for us to travel to and from work or even look after our families. I am owed three months salary. Most of our friends are leaving for other countries because the conditions here are really frustrating. If I get an opportunity to leave, I will not hesitate, said a 34-year-old midwife at a council-run clinic in the capital. Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo, said there was need for urgent intervention to stem the growing tide. Better remuneration is the only option. Most of the nurses are leaving for European countries where health workers are appreciated, be it financially or otherwise, said Dongo. . . . Let us as a nation learn to appreciate the little good things nurses are doing for us. It has been long since we have tried to engage council. They owe these nurses unpaid salaries from way back. As it stands, we cannot blame the nurses for leaving. Some of the few functional polyclinics in Harare such as Highfield, Hatfield, Mabvuku and Mbare have been getting assistance from donors. Harare Residents Trust (HRT) director Precious Shumba said the lack of access to public health services by most residents was disturbing. The pace at which they attend to patients, if they decide to, leaves a lot to be desired. Reports we have indicate the situation is the same and even worse in other clinics. There is low staff morale within Harare City Council. The nurses used to have good salaries, but that is no longer the case. They are now trailing their Government counterparts who are earning better money and have better working conditions. We pray the Ministry of Health and Child Care quickly intervenes. The Government is in the process of taking over health facilities owned by local authorities as part of a grand plan to ensure standardised service delivery as envisaged by the National Development Strategy 1. Sunday Mail Police on Saturday arrested seven dangerous robbers in separate incidents under a special operation during which one suspect was shot and killed in a shoot-out. Some of the robbers are understood to have been behind the March 28 raid at Gateway High School in Harare where they made off with US$250 000. The operation follows President Mnangagwas recent stern warning to armed robbers countrywide that they would be brought to book. In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of seven dangerous and notorious armed robbers and the death of one robber after a shoot-out with police detectives in Harare on 3 July, 2021. Police received information that one robbery gang leader, Godfrey Josi, was in Damafalls and a crack team raided the suspect who bolted out of a room armed with a revolver. He scuffled with the police officers and was shot on the left leg. A revolver loaded with two live rounds, three super power explosive dynamites and four fuse cables were recovered Asst Comm Nyathi said Josi revealed that his accomplices were Richard Mutanga, Zvidozvashe Zuda, Peter Mushipe, Valentine Mutasa, Decide Rice and the now deceased Benjamin Craig Musasa. He said Mutanga was raided in Unit O, Chitungwiza, leading to the recovery of a gateway vehicle, a Honda CRV while Zuda was arrested at Kuwadzana roundabout with a pistol and bullets. Police detectives followed Peter Mushipe in Stoneridge area, Harare, where the suspect tried to run away while armed with a 12 Bore shot gun loaded with one live round. He was subsequently shot on the right leg and live rounds of ammunition were recovered from his pockets. The fifth suspect, Valentine Mutasa had a confrontation with police officers at Glenwood Park, Epworth and was shot on the left hip leading to the recovery of a 303 rifle with three rounds of ammunition. Rice, said Ass Comm Nyathi, was lured to Harare Drive in Greendale where he arrived in the company of Benjamin Musasa. The two suspects suddenly fired some shots towards the police detectives. During the exchange of fire, Musasa was shot and arrested while the ring leader, Rice, escaped. A revolver with erased serial numbers was recovered. Ass Comm Nyathi said the injured suspects were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where Musasa died on admission. He said they also arrested Juliet Gavaza (37) after investigations revealed that she was married Josi and had a house in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, belived to have been bought from the proceeds of armed robberies. Police have secured all the transactional documents related to the house. The suspects are linked to seven armed robbery cases which include the one at Gateway High School on 28 March 2021 where US$250 000 was stolen and the robbery in Muzari Suburb, Chinhoyi, on 12 January 2021 where US$60 000 was taken, said Ass Comm Nyathi. There is another robbery case at UZ farm compound on 10 May 2021 where US$20 000 was stolen and the recent robbery which occurred on 29 June 2021 when the suspects took US$19 800 from a Beatrice farmer. He said they had also established that Josi, Mushipe, Mutasa and the now deceased Musasa were linked to several cases of armed robbery and had arrest warrants against them. Mutasa is alleged to have committed murder in Nembudziya, Gokwe and was involved in an armed robbery case in Kadoma. Police reiterate the position of His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa that armed robbers will be dealt with decisively. Police urge the public to continue supplying information on all robbers so that the law may take its course, said Ass Comm Nyathi. Herald ZANU PF Deputy Provincial Chairperson and Zaka North member (MP) of Parliament Robson Mavhenyengwa has said Covid-19 vaccination slips will soon be used as gate passes to party meetings. Mavhenyengwa was speaking at the Provincial Coordinating Committee Meeting held at Great Zimbabwe Universitys Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences recently. He said party leadership was supposed to lead by example and get vaccinated first so that they encourage their subordinates to get vaccinated. You as the leadership should be vaccinated so that the people you lead will copy from you. How can you encourage people to be vaccinated when you are not? Soon we will introduce a system where only those who have been vaccinated will be allowed into our meetings. You will be asked to produce your vaccination slip here as proof to be admitted into the meetings. If you cannot walk around with the slip you will have to scan it and bring the picture here in your phone, said Mavhenyengwa. Mavhenyengwa went on to warn party leadership against campaigning for positions saying it was too early for that and said they can only campaign for ZANU PF and the President. We only campaign for the party and the President only. We still have our PCC, Councilors and MPs, those positions have people so there is no need to campaign. We will be told when time is rife to start campaigning, said Mavhenyengwa. His warning came at a time when a number of people are warming themselves for the PPC positions following the completion of District Coordinating Committees elections. The guest of honor at the event, Christopher Mutsvangwa who is a Politburo member and Secretary for Science and Technology praised the way people were being vaccinated in Zimbabwe saying a number of countries were admiring Zimbabwe in terms of the vaccination role out. He went on to say the government was doing its best to make sure that all people get vaccinated saying more doses were coming from China. Zimbabwe is among the few countries that have so far managed to vaccinate a huge number of people. Even the likes of Julius Malema from South Africa have acknowledged that. People in Australia and other European countries have acknowledged that, said Mutsvangwa. He went on to say the reason why they have managed to progress is because they have partnered China which has been helping out Zimbabwe. We have our friend China which has been supporting us since the liberation struggle. They gave us guns and other war equipment to fight for our liberation struggle. So we cannot abandon a friend like that, that is why when we were affected by Covid-19 we rushed to our friend that is why we have been ahead, said Mutsvangwa. TellZimNews They had a relationship when she was very, very young, and theyve lost touch for a long time, so when you really meet him in the film, for the bulk of it, hes well past his prime, Harbour, 46, said. Hes a guy full of regret and remorse, but on top of that, he also has a silly, sweet part to him as well. He gets to go on this journey of redemption for some of the mistakes hes made. It's not Independence Day without a good old hot dog eating contest! Nathan's Famous 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest returns to Coney Island for 2021 in New York City. The first Fourth of July hot dog eating contest took place in 1916, the same year Nathan's Famous opened on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. (Joanna Tavares) We are experts at emergency response 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, she recounted. But we had no idea we would have to react with this much intensity for so long. Our 450 deliverers and kitchen workers, our 20,000 volunteers, stepped up. They became essential frontline workers, and they did not miss a beat. Spokespeople for the Port Authority and the FAA had no details on exactly when the problem began, or when it would be resolved. Luna Park lunacy: A Brooklyn college student is fighting for his life after a brawl with a Coney Island security guard. The 21-year-old victim was at Luna Park with his girlfriend on Tuesday. They were escorted out of the park because they wouldnt stop dangerously dangling their legs outside a go-kart ride, police said. The guard who ejected them had asked them to keep their limbs inside the car, the victims uncle said. Once outside the park, the SUNY Albany computer engineering student had words with the security worker. The two started fighting and the victim hit his head on the concrete sidewalk, fracturing his skull. The Brooklyn District Attorney has not charged the guard, saying it appears he was trying the defend himself when the victim fell. I was in the area and I was in a cab. I got out and I heard people running ... I didnt think it was my friend, said the man, who didnt give his name. When I got home, people told me my friend got shot. Then a couple of hours later, they told me he died. Large disorderly groups that tend to gather there, and at some point theres violence, he said. We do see an uptick in narcotics-related shootings in the 44 and the crew-motivated shootings. Weve seen that with narcotics and crew shootings at work elsewhere in the Bronx as well. The Trailblazer struck a guardrail, launching Thompson out of the vehicle, then cut off an Access-A-Ride van, sending it veering onto an embankment. Thompsons 20-year-old boyfriend and the 60-year-old van driver survived the wreck. Police were still investigating Sunday, and no one had been charged or issued summonses, cops said. The Fourth of July barbecue embers were still glowing last year when a citywide shooting spree erupted on July 5, 2020, with a staggering 44 New Yorkers shot in 24 hours of mayhem including nine murdered in the explosion of post-holiday violence that began shortly before 1 a.m., police said. Six shootings were reported in a single 50-minute stretch, and only the borough of Queens escaped without a casualty from the days 30 reported shootings. I thought it was dirt bikes, but then there was a stampede of people running down the block, said Santos, 28. I got up and thank God. I feel as if an angel had lifted me up because it would have been much worse. Police, worried about the dangerous way she was operating her tractor, were eventually able to force Bostic off the road, sending her crashing into a fence. Following events like this we always do reviews and see what we can do better next time, the two-term Democratic governor said. This serval was likely kept as a pet, which is illegal in Georgia. Once the cat is found, it will be taken to a North Carolina animal sanctuary, according to WGCL. If you look at the number of deaths, about 99.2% of them are unvaccinated, he said. No vaccine is perfect. But when you talk about the avoidability of hospitalization and death ... its really sad and tragic that most all of these are avoidable and preventable. This is my first year, he said. Its a big responsibility. I think there will be a lot of hungry people this year hungry for the Fourth of July, hungry for ketchup, mustard, relish. Some of these abilities included the power to teleport and cause harm to others, the ability to call up natural disasters, the ability to pray away demonic spirits attached to others and also visionary capabilities, Chandler police wrote. Because of these abilities provided to them, they felt that they were qualified to tell whether someone had a light or dark scale associated with them. This scale would indicate whether or not they had demonic spirits attached to them. Prior to the fireworks being off loaded from the vehicle, Fire Marshals secure a safe zone around the fireworks and put other safety protocols in place. It is this very zone and safety protocols that kept anyone else from being injured. The departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan leaves the country wide open to being overrun by the Taliban, and the U.S. embassy could meet a fate like the Alamo, a leading House Republican from Texas said on Sunday. The 84-year-old pontiff had been hospitalized in Rome on Sunday afternoon for surgery for diverticular stenosis of the colon, which causes small bulges of the wall of the large intestine. If left untreated, diverticulitis can cause infection or perforation of the bowel. Two former leaders of the Vaticans financial watchdog, Rene Bruelhart and Tommaso di Ruzza, were essentially accused of being bad at their jobs in approving the purchase, according to Vatican News. Bruelhart is charged with abuse of office and Ruzza is charged with embezzlement. James understood the difficulty of sticking to these habits, particularly when it came to close elections. He recognized that those who choose to be good citizens often have their virtues go unrecognized. But for him, the nation blest above all nations is she in whom the civic genius of the people does the saving day by day and thereby avoids the violent conflicts that take such a toll on public and private life. The final lesson James drew from the Civil War, like the lesson we need to draw from the Capitol insurrection, is that evils must be checked in time before they grow so great. The most pointed discussion of the rights of women came from the eras shrewdest political spouse. On March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to John that I long to hear that you have declared an independency. Then she pivoted: And by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. The boy is the third for Cannon this month and fourth of the year. Back on June 14, Cannon and Abby De La Rosa announced the birth of twin boys Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir. In December, he and Brittany Bell had daughter Powerful Queen. Cannon and Bell also share 4-year-old son Golden Sagon. The J. Sidna Allen Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. On its website, the Carroll County Historical Society and Museum notes that it was completed in 1911, but a year later the Hillsville courthouse tragedy occurred. Sidna and his wife had only lived there a year. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Elizabeth Simmons, employment developer, can be seen in the Oregon State Career Development Center. With students graduating year-in and year-out the OSCDC is always available to help and build students careers, no matter the field. Lawmakers also need to revise a part of the law that calls for boards to make good faith estimates of the cost of repairs, he said. Blasi called the phrase an amorphous standard that really gives an out to a lay person board and gives them an ability to ballpark in a non-professional way. So far, 24 people have been found dead and another 124 are still unaccounted for after more than a week of sifting through the wreckage at one of the Champlain Towers. Nearly 370 first responders from around Florida arrived to assist the effort along with federal and international crews working around the clock to recover the victims, made more difficult by sporadic fires, heavy rain and an unstable building. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - About 43 illegal sub-Saharan and Asian migrants have gone missing and 84 others were rescued after their boat sank on Friday off Zarzis, a southern Tunisian port close to Libya, according to the head of the Tunisian Red Crescent "I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I'm not a pro-vaxxer. I'm somebody that's looking at this thing and trying to figure it outI feel like a vaccination in a weird way is just generally kind of going against natureLike, I mean, if there is some disease out there -- maybe there's just an ebb and flow to life where something's supposed to wipe out a certain amount of people, and that's just kind of the way evolution goes. Vaccines kind of stand in the way of that. Do you follow what I'm saying? Does that make sense to somebody in medicine?" Newsmax host Rob Schmitt NO. Everyone in medicine A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Page Content As of June 28, 2021, the number of reported active cases dropped to less than 50. The intended goal was to achieve the 85% vaccination rate on Dutch Sint Maarten. However, the number of vaccinated adults within the Sint Maarten population has increased sufficiently. In this regard, the Minister has deemed these figures to be a reasonable majority and considers it desirable to extend the closing times of publicly accessible locations to 2:00 am as of July 3rd 2021, in the interest of business activity and the economy of Sint Maarten. It is prohibited to have premises open to the public between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., which includes the following: bars, nightclubs, discotheques, restaurants, and bars, spaces that are rented out for meetings, events or parties. The prohibition does not apply to hotels or lodgings, as far as their own guests and staff are concerned, as well as the airport, seaport grounds and buildings. The Minister is strongly advising all persons to continue adhering to the COVID-19 preventative measures, as these measures have contributed to the decline in active cases, thus allowing the nightlife curfew to be re-extended to 2am. Depending on the COVID-19 developments, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor / Substitute Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications will continue to monitor the situation and can deviate from the above closing time if we begin experiencing a resurgence of cases. Lastly, Minister Ottley would like to encourage persons to do their research and consider receiving the vaccination, as we continue striving to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19. Seekku Baduge Wimalasena De Silva, well known as SBW, departed from this world on July 25, 2021. by Merril Gunaratne Seekku Baduge Wimalasena De Silva, well known as SBW, departed from this world on July 25, 2021. He was a household name in the police, and enjoyed the respect and admiration of society. We usually go to great lengths to extol the qualities and achievements of the dead. In doing so, we also bury shortcomings in those we write eulogies about, with consideration for respect and courtesy. But the case of SBW is different. He was an exemplar of honour, rectitude, honesty and principles. He lived the way he worked as a policeman, and he applied to his profession, the same principles he observed in his private life. There were no differences and distinctions. In this context, he was unique and extraordinary. He observed the highest, impeccable standards as a private citizen in all his dealings, leaving no room for anyone to find fault or raise questions; and he assiduously practiced the same standards in his profession. The ideal practice of the police profession requires the invocation of the most pristine human qualities. Altruism, ethics, objectivity, respect for the law, and fearlessness constitute the cornerstones of an edifice which has over time reached a state of decline. SBW was the quintessential cop in this context. He will not have a peer to compare with, or overtake him. There may have been many IGPs, Senior DIGs and DIGs, but I doubt whether any of them could match the standards that SBW De Silva practiced, both in his profession, as well as in life. To think that I sing praises of someone who retired only as a Senior Superintendent of Police may confound many. What requires to be said is how and why he retired prematurely, at the relatively young age of 51-years, and only as an SSP. Of course the rank of SSP was a highly respected post then, whereas we now cannot escape brushing against a surfeit of Senior DIGs and DIGs in the corridors of police headquarters, thanks to the shortsighted follies of two IGPs who colluded in the increase of cadre of senior ranks meaninglessly at one time. After all, the interests of the service should at all times have prevailed over the interests of self seekers. The simple lesson that the structure of an organization should resemble a pyramid, was lost on those occupying the highest echelons. SBW retired prematurely because the way he lived and worked convinced him that he should not accommodate the injustices evident in the 1970s and 1980s where juniors, abetted by politicians, plundered promotions at the expense of the line of seniority. Efficient, honourable officers of the calibre of SBW were thus cast adrift. To a good officer, his place in the line of seniority would at all times be sacred and inviolate; and in the case of SBW, he was not the type to chase after a politician to protect and safeguard his position in the line of seniority over which a self seeking individual was seeking to trespass. Even to remedy an injustice by going behind powerful patrons was anathema to him. How he reacted to an injustice was not to fight it with unjust methods, but to retire from a service in which he had lost all hope. In a way, by such premature retirement, he exercised greater prescience than all of us, for he knew exactly which way the wind was blowing. But the service lost a unique officer, not only for his sterling ethics and qualities, but also his knowledge, experience and efficiency. He adorned the roles he played in the CID and the Intelligence services. He is yet talked about as being a model officer in charge of police stations, and probably the best director of police training, basic and advanced. SBW received the baton for the best overseas student at a course steered by the Metropolitan Police in Hendon, UK. It was unfortunate that those in the highest seats had failed to exploit this remarkable achievement to praise his worth to the establishment and keep interlopers who eventually climbed over him at bay. It was a tragedy that his full potential was not tapped. His enormous and exceptional talents and skills could have helped the service bloom if there was an environment propitious for the growth and development of the police. We all know that one swallow cannot make a summer. SBW had the misfortune of being cast in an environment of rapidly declining standards, and where those of his calibre were a mere handful. The words and actions of a sage in such unwise times were often not only ignored, but also treated with scorn and derision. That possibly would have been SBWs fate. He served at the wrong time. There were none to appreciate his worth. He therefore had great prescience in deciding to leave the police prematurely. But his loss was certainly a tragedy for the police. I pause to speculate how far he may have prospered, if he worked till retirement age; possibly a senior DIG, if not more. But then, would his enormous skills have been recognized in an environment where standards were dwindling rapidly, and the service was bereft of leaders who had the guts to arrest the decline. Having known SBW well for long, I feel that he would have been a unique asset in respect of reforms and far reaching changes to the police organization, which to me is in a moribund state. At one time, and hopefully if the wind blew my way, I had in mind to canvass the expertise of SBW and another officer who is no more with us, Achilles Joseph, to completely reorganize police headquarters. SBW, with his sharp intellect, probing mind, a capacity to see the larger picture, and above all, his unerring skill to spot loopholes in any situation, would have been ideal to help usher reforms to the service which is desperately in need of them. SBW never sought material assets. He in his profession or private life, did not chase after prominence, or a place in the sun. He derived great pleasure from being the fulcrum of the Retired Senior Police Officers Association for countless years, a service he rendered selflessly. He was a role model for emulation, not only to those who aspire to be professionals, but in the art of living as well. He was a martinet, because the compromise of sacred principles and ethics was alien to him, both in life as well in his profession. SBW was a good Buddhist in every sense, for when living, and at work, he kept a considerable distance from craving, desire, acquisition, and ambition: All he sought at work was a sense of fulfillment and achievement. We express our profound sorrow to his grieving spouse Dharma, and his daughters. We have already seen ample proof of how they had imbibed the ethics and values of a truly great human being, a legend of the police. The writer is a former director of State Intelligence Services This book is, precisely, an attempt to make sense of what has happened and, given that it is such contested terrain, it is necessary that I say something about my own position, and in the process something about the basis on which this book is written. by Chris Grey Every organization of men, be it social or political, ultimately relies on mans capacity for making promises and keeping them. ~ Hannah Arendt, Crises of the Republic On 23 June 2016 a referendum was held in which the majority of the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Just that short, apparently factual, statement contains within it implications which are still heavily contested. It was a majority of the people, but only of the 72 per cent who voted amongst those eligible to do so. Those ineligible included sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds, EU nationals living in the UK* and UK nationals who had lived abroad for over fifteen years. The people of England and Wales voted by a majority to leave, but those of Scotland or Northern Ireland did not. Legally, the vote was an advisory referendum, which did not automatically entail leaving the EU but simply gave advice to Parliament which it could, in principle, refuse to take. That it was advisory was the reason given in Parliament as to why only a simple majority of anything over 50 per cent, rather than a super majority of some higher percentage, was required for a vote to leave. So how could a very small simple majority 52 per cent to 48 per cent now mandate leaving? Above all: what did it mean to leave the EU? Clearly it meant not being a member of the EU, but which of the many different ways of not being a member was to be followed? Yet this account of the issues raised by the referendum result would be regarded by many Brexiters and leave voters as absurd, if not downright dishonest. More specifically, it would be seen as a remainer account, and perhaps as an illustration of remainers refusal to accept the referendum result. They would see it as an irrelevant truism that only those eligible to vote and choosing to do so were the ones who got to decide. The distribution of votes between the constituent parts of the UK is also irrelevant since it was a national vote. The advisory nature of the referendum is irrelevant because the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, had written to every household saying that its outcome would be implemented by the government. A narrow majority is a majority, and that is all that matters. As for what leaving the EU means, things get much murkier, as is discussed at length in this book, but many Brexiters would say that it meant leaving all the institutions of the EU without exception. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COMPETING ACCOUNTS OF BREXIT Without evaluating these competing accounts of the referendum result, what is important is simply that they exist. That matters in two ways. Firstly, it matters because it illustrates that anything that anyone writes about Brexit will almost certainly be hotly disputed by someone, and is likely to be seen as reflecting the biases of the person writing it. I will say more about my position shortly, but for now will just note that such disputes are part of the wider sense in which Brexit has created a kind of culture war. This is partly to do with the demographics of the referendum vote itself. Polls conducted afterwards showed that leave voters were likely to be older, less educated and less economically active than remain voters (these things were partially linked, because older people are less likely to have been able to go to university and more likely to be retired), more likely to be in lower socio-economic groups than remain voters, and more likely to hold socially illiberal views. This suggests that the way people voted in the referendum coded a set of social and cultural divisions that went deeper than the ostensible question of EU membership and, therefore, that the Brexit process was going to be about more than Brexit itself. One consequence was that, almost from the beginning, there emerged fundamental differences in how the two groups saw Brexit, to the extent of there being almost remainer truth and leaver truth. From this flows the second significance of the competing accounts. It is that whatever position anyone takes on Brexit, they cannot deny that these accounts do, as a matter of fact, exist. Whatever motivations or inadequacies each side attributes to the other in a sense dont matter. The very fact of their existence structures what has happened since the referendum and to some extent explains it: had there been more consensus then Brexit would not be the deeply contested issue that it is. Even now, there is very little sign that members of either side have been persuaded by each other. If anything, each is more deeply entrenched than before. That cant be wished away, but has to be accepted and understood in order to make sense of what has happened since the referendum. MY POSITION This book is, precisely, an attempt to make sense of what has happened and, given that it is such contested terrain, it is necessary that I say something about my own position, and in the process something about the basis on which this book is written. I regard Brexit as a very serious national mistake, which has already done and will continue to do untold economic, geopolitical and cultural damage to the United Kingdom. However, from the day of the referendum result, I did not expect the decision to be reversed. In that sense I accepted the result, not because of any particular respect for it but because it seemed to me politically impossible to change it. Except for a brief period during 2019, that view did not change. In the immediate aftermath of the referendum, I believed that a soft Brexit, in the sense discussed below, would be viable in fully meeting the requirements of the vote whilst minimising the damage. That did not happen, but I continue to believe that in 2016 there could have been a national consensus for such an approach which would largely have avoided the bitter and toxic divisions we have experienced. Its also worth saying that prior to the run-up to the referendum I was neither especially interested in the EU nor a passionate advocate of Britains membership of it. Like a lot of people, including many who became deeply partisan on both sides, it simply didnt feature in my mind as much of an issue. To that limited extent, I approached things with an open mind and certainly had no life-long involvement in debates about the EU. In view of some of the accusations that fly about in discussions of Brexit, its also necessary to say that I have never received any money, for example research grants or other funding, from the EU. My interest only really started in the year or so before the referendum, when it was in prospect but no date had been set, as I began to notice a huge amount of confusion and downright falsehood about what EU membership meant, and especially how it functioned as a trade and regulatory institution. This touched on my own academic expertise because I work in the field of organisation studies a rather strange, hybrid discipline at the interface of psychology, sociology, economics, business and politics which is concerned with how organisations of all sorts operate. As such, I had worked in business schools for over twenty-five years. My own research had never been concerned with the EU, especially, but as part of the general background knowledge of my subject I had a working knowledge of how it operated. Moreover, ever since writing a PhD on the regulation of financial services my academic research and teaching has been on the intersection between politics and business. In the run-up to the referendum, I wrote some short articles trying to clarify the trade and regulatory issues, which led to invitations to give various public talks. In the course of these, I deepened my own knowledge but also observed that many people valued these explanations and felt they were more useful than the material they were getting during what, by then, was the official campaign. It was not simply that I was providing them with the facts but also with an analysis which grew out of my work as an academic even though it had not in the past been applied to Britains membership of the EU. That analytical mindset is the basis of this book. For whilst it may be that there is in some sense remainer truth and leaver truth, I continue to believe that it is possible to use the tools of rational argument and evidence in order to make sense of events, including Brexit. Of course there are endless questions of judgement, values and interpretation, as in all political questions (were that not so, they would not be political questions). But that does not mean that there is no basis on which to evaluate evidence and nothing to differentiate good arguments from bad ones. Moreover, whilst some things about Brexit are legitimately and probably endlessly debatable, there are some things which are straightforwardly true or false. What matters is to avoid starting from the position that Brexit is good or bad despite facts, evidence or argument to the contrary and to avoid twisting those facts to support that position. Having not started with a particular position but having acquired one as a result of evidence and argument I have tried, within human limits, to continue in that analytical vein. I am not neutral, therefore, and do not pretend to be, but I am not tribalist either. Concretely, shortly after the referendum result, I decided to start a weekly blog to catalogue and analyse Brexit events as they transpired. Inevitably, at first very few people read it but even within the extremely crowded market for Brexit analysis it gradually acquired a wide and enthusiastic readership. In time, it came to be highly praised by leading journalists and commentators, and read by politicians and others on both sides of the Brexit debate, and in many countries. It was also frequently quoted in the media and led to me making several media appearances to comment on events. This book grows out of that blog, but it is certainly not a print edition of it, not least as that would run to ten or more volumes. Rather, it draws out what emerged over time as the recurring analytical themes in the blog and attempts to use these to explain how Brexit has unfolded since the referendum. THE UNFOLDING OF BREXIT To speak of the unfolding of Brexit is, in itself, to make an important point. Brexit is not, and was never going to be, a single event. It was and is an ongoing process. That explains why to the consternation of some, especially those Brexiters for whom securing it had been their lifes ambition the vote to leave the EU was not the end of anything but, rather, the beginning of something very different and much more complex. For that matter, the day that Britain left the EU, 31 January 2020, was only a staging post, albeit a very important one, in the Brexit process. It was followed by a transition period during which a future terms agreement, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), was negotiated. This book ends at that point but, as will become clear, that in itself was only the beginning of a new phase of Brexit. As the process has unfolded, it has become possible to see recurring themes within it, some more important than others. One of them is simply that lack of agreement about basic facts or, perhaps, it might be truer to say that all of them are variations on that theme. Lack of definition of the outcome of Brexit A particular, and crucial, case of lack of agreed facts was the absence of an agreed definition before the Brexit vote as to what that vote would mean. In outline, from the outset at least three fundamentally different versions of Brexit were in play, which will be discussed in detail in Chapter One. One version, known as soft Brexit or the Norway option, meant remaining as a member of the single market and possibly even (unlike Norway) in some form of customs union. Another, which was usually called hard Brexit or the Canada option, meant leaving the single market but seeking a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU. A third, no-deal Brexit or the WTO option, meant leaving without a trade deal and trading on World Trade Organization terms. These very different versions of Brexit were the subject of the first thing I published on Brexit, on a website devoted to making academic research publicly accessible, in October 2015.2 This was after it was known that there would be a referendum, but before the campaign had started. In the piece, I outlined these main models of Brexit and argued that the debate at that time suffered from conflating or confusing them. If this persisted, and the vote were to leave when the referendum was held, then I warned it would be too late and the country would have voted for something without knowing what it was. This turned out to be prescient. Not only were all the models touted at different times by different advocates of Brexit during the referendum, but their differences were concealed, especially by persistent references to single market access which could have meant any of them. The Vote Leave campaign did not specify which version of Brexit it advocated, and explicitly said that it would be for the government, not it, to do so if the vote were to leave. It was only after the referendum that Brexiters claimed the vote had been for any particular form of Brexit. But that was not true, as was shown by the fact that for many months after the referendum all the versions were being debated as possible outcomes. Clearly that debate would not have happened had Brexit been pre-defined. Ever-hardening definitions The existence of this debate is a prelude to the next recurring theme. At every stage of the process, some Brexiters, whom I refer to as Brexit Ultras, argued that true Brexit was a harder form of Brexit than whatever was currently envisaged. So whereas in the years before the referendum Nigel Farage and UKIP (as well as some of those on what was then called the Eurosceptic wing of the Tory Party) were extolling the soft Brexit Norway model, by the time of the referendum only hard or FTA Brexit would do. Some who campaigned during the referendum for soft Brexit afterwards championed an FTA hard Brexit. Still others who had argued for soft or hard Brexit came to say that no deal was the only true Brexit. Within this, there have been many twists and turns but the direction of travel was always the same as soon as anything was conceded to the Brexit Ultras, they always demanded something more extreme. As a consequence, the terminology shifted confusingly as Brexit unfolded. Soft Brexit came to be called, by Brexit Ultras, Brexit in name only (BRINO), or simply not Brexit at all. The hard Brexit of leaving the single market and customs union came sometimes to be described as soft Brexit, with hard Brexit sometimes referring to the more extreme position of WTO Brexit, or no-deal Brexit. Lack of definition of the process of Brexit However, no-deal Brexit itself came to have two meanings which, initially, were not clear, because as well as the outcome of Brexit being undefined, so too was its process. In fact, all of the different models for Brexit were actually models of what the outcome might be, and not of the process by which it might be reached. The legal process for leaving the EU was defined in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This specified that an agreement for withdrawal would be negotiated taking account of the framework for [the departing members] future relationship with the Union. That future relationship would be agreed subsequent to the Withdrawal Agreement, and by a different process. What it meant was that Brexit would consist of two separate agreements. One would be a Withdrawal Agreement, setting out the terms of exit. The other would be a future terms agreement, setting out the conditions of trade and other forms of cooperation, which eventually was called the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Sitting between these two deals would, or might, be a Political Declaration accompanying the Withdrawal Agreement in which both parties agreed a non-binding general framework for the future terms agreement. Over and over again as Brexit unfolded it became clear that many Brexiters either did not accept this process or did not understand it, and that lack of understanding was shared by many in the media and elsewhere. During the referendum, the Vote Leave campaign actually promised that the future terms would be agreed before the Article 50 process to leave even began. This was simply impossible given the terms of Article 50. After the referendum, many Brexiters claimed that both the exit agreement and the future terms agreement could be done as part of a single process. This was also untrue but it permeated almost the entirety of the Brexit process in one way or another. It led to a row over the structure of the Article 50 talks (see Chapter Three) which never really went away. It led to the idea that what was agreed in the exit terms especially as regards a financial settlement for the past was, or should be, conditional on the future terms agreement. It led at least some Brexiter MPs to think that the final terms agreement would override the exit terms agreement. And it led to some very complex misunderstandings about what was being voted for in the fraught parliamentary debates that occurred. To give one example, during debates about the original Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by Theresa May (see Chapter Four), many MPs objected to it saying that, instead, they wanted a Canada-style deal. But such a deal, if reached, would be the future terms agreement and so could not be a substitute for the exit terms agreement. All of this will be explained in more detail in the coming chapters, but for now it is important to say that one consequence was that the term no-deal Brexit changed in meaning as the Brexit process unfolded. Until the end of 2019 it meant no Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. no agreement on exit terms). From early 2020 it meant no Trade and Cooperation Agreement (i.e. no agreement on future terms). Nativism and globalism In addition to recurrent confusions about the outcome and process of Brexit, there were others about its meaning. On the one hand, it was sold to many, if not most, leave voters on an anti-immigration and economically protectionist or nativist prospectus. On the other, especially since the referendum, it has been proclaimed as a licence for a free-trading Global Britain open to the brightest and the best. Whilst being contradictory, combining these two strands arguably helped to build the coalition to win the referendum because it enabled the combination of two quite different critiques of the EU. The EU was depicted as a neo-liberal agent of globalisation which cared nothing for the nation state but was solely concerned with satisfying the interests of the business elite, including for the supposedly cheap labour that freedom of movement of people supplied. However, the EU was also derided as a protectionist racket, inhibiting free trade and preventing Britain from being globally competitive. This has inflected the Brexit process in several ways. As regards immigration, it partly explains the shift away from soft Brexit, since this would have entailed freedom of movement of people within the single market, including the UK, and hence would not fulfil the nativist strand. At the same time, it has led to a far greater emphasis on the globalist agenda of independent trade deals (which entail not being in a customs union with the EU) than was the case during the referendum. But the two remain in tension. It is highly likely that post-Brexit Britain will have higher levels of immigration than before, though probably not from the EU, in order to meet skills needs, and also because immigration liberalisation is likely to be a precondition of some trade deals. Meanwhile, erecting new barriers to free trade with the UKs biggest trading partner is hardly a sign of pursuing a global free trade agenda. Economics and sovereignty Nested inside all that is yet another theme, which is the tension between Brexit as an economic project and as one purely concerned with political sovereignty and national independence. Again, there are many complexities and sub-plots. In brief, whilst one of the main referendum slogans taking back control articulated Brexit in terms of sovereignty, the other main slogan 350 million a week for the NHS was plainly an economic argument for Brexit. Indeed, the Vote Leave campaign made numerous claims of economic benefits in terms of higher wages and better access to housing and public services, often linked to reducing immigration. It was only later, when even the most disingenuous could no longer say that the economic effects were going to be anything other than negative, that it began to be widely claimed that it was never about the money. That this claim is false is shown by the fact that any suggestions of economic damage (or any other kind of damage, for that matter) were dismissed as Project Fear. The reason for that was because Brexiters knew that if voters were persuaded that leaving would cause economic damage they would not vote for it, or not in sufficient numbers to win, in the name of sovereignty. The central achievement of their campaign was to persuade voters that taking back control was cost-free, but this also turned out to be its central flaw. For it was the fundamental reason why, as the subtitle of this book suggests, Brexit in reality could never deliver the Brexit promised. One of the commonly used terms during the Brexit process was cakeism, deriving from Boris Johnson having said that he favoured Britain having its cake and eating it. This meant, generally, having the benefits of EU membership without belonging to it but, more specifically, having the independence of sovereignty without economic cost and, indeed, with economic benefits. In fact, there was a tension, and a trade-off, between the two. Betrayal and victimhood All of these issues are discussed in detail later, but with them comes another recurring theme, which is quite psychologically complex. Whilst Brexit stayed undefined, it could mean whatever people wanted it to mean. But as soon as any actual form of Brexit was articulated or defined, some group of Brexiters would consider it to be a betrayal of true Brexit. As mentioned earlier, this generally meant pushing for a harder and harder version, but its real significance went much deeper: it became ever clearer that betrayal was not just something that many Brexiters feared, but something that some of them actually wanted or even needed. There was a particular strand within support for Brexit which positioned ordinary people as the downtrodden victims of the elite, meaning not so much the rich and privileged but the politically correct metropolitan liberals who wouldnt let ordinary people say what they thought, about immigration especially. For those of this mindset, winning the referendum was, paradoxically, a disaster because by making their protest agenda central to government policy they were denied that victimhood. Thus betrayal was actually quite attractive because it enabled them to stay in a mode of perpetual victimhood, perpetually railing against the elite who were thwarting them. This contained within it the seeds of an inevitable tragedy, which was that once Brexit was done, and however it was done, not only would it be against the wishes of, by definition, remainers, but also there would be at least a hard core of Brexiters for whom it would be seen as a betrayal. Punishment and sabotage From this derives the final and most culturally destructive theme, which is the search for blame. If true Brexit could never be delivered in the eyes of those who most wanted it, and yet never disowned as a mistake, and if victimhood was to be maintained through a narrative of betrayal, then someone had to be to blame. Thus, almost from the beginning, various groups and people were identified. Some were external the EU punishment brigade, Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk, Michel Barnier, the Irish, especially Leo Varadkar, and the global elite. Others were internal saboteurs and enemies of the people, such as Gina Miller, judges, civil servants, the Establishment, the liberal elite, and in due course Theresa the Remainer. In the end, even Boris Johnson was attacked by the most extreme Brexiters for what he delivered. It is this theme, more than any other, that has made the politics of the Brexit process so toxic. It meant that Brexit could not be undertaken within the normal parameters of policy delivery even contentious policy delivery. The immensely complex business of enacting Brexit was constantly being scrutinised and judged through the prism of the culture war. In fact, even to describe it as complex is, in the eyes of some Brexiters, a part of this culture war because, they still insist, it should have been quick and easy and was only made complex by EU punishment and remainer sabotage. But on any rational appraisal the process was bound to be complex, and Brexiters above all should have realised this, since their repeated complaint was that the UK had been sucked into a European super-state. At all events, Brexit could not be made simple just by saying that it should be. MAKING SENSE OF BREXIT In the years since the 2016 referendum there has been a swirl of events, often confusing, sometimes dramatic. Millions became watchers of the parliamentary TV channel as knife-edge votes were held under sometimes arcane procedures in the House of Commons. People also began to become aware of and interested in things which, in many cases including in some respects my own they had hardly registered before. These included the intricacies of international trade and its laws and regulations; the nature of the Good Friday Agreement; how fishing quotas work; what a customs union is; how international supply chains operate and much else besides. This has led to two problems, both of which are highly relevant to this book. The problem of expertise and Brexit One is about expertise. Most, if not all, of those areas have (mainly) small groups of seriously knowledgeable experts, whether they be academics, journalists, business people or think-tankers. As public interest grew, they became more visible but, at the same time, they were joined by (and were sometimes irritated by) hordes of instant experts who, very often, partially or totally misunderstood what are very complex subjects. This was true on both the leave and remain sides. But the genuine experts also had their limitations, which were precisely those of expertise. Brexit is such a hydra-headed phenomenon that no one could claim to grasp it in its entirety. And that isnt just about the multiplicity of relevant topics, its about the way that Brexit interweaves the domains of domestic and international politics, economics, business, culture, law, history, psychology and much else besides. This is a problem for me, too, but also one in which it may be helpful to work in the cross-disciplinary field that I do. Im fairly used to hopping across some of these different domains. But I am also conscious of the limitations of this. I am neither a trade expert nor a politics expert, to take what are probably the most central bodies of expertise relevant to this book. My attempt is to use the knowledge and skills that I have to dip into different areas of expertise, but I recognise that this jack of all trades approach will be offensive and unsatisfactory to those who are masters of any one of them. It may also lead me to make errors, for which I apologise in advance. Equally, there is no need to be too apologetic. Academics and other experts have arguably become too narrowly focused and, in the process, lost a sense of the big picture which Brexit presents. This book is an attempt to present that big picture, which means using some broad brush strokes. The problem of how to make sense of Brexit That links directly to the second problem. The Brexit process has been confusing precisely because of the scope and scale of events. That is particularly true for people who may have dropped in and out of giving attention to them, but its also true for those who have become immersed in the thickets of those events. Making sense of Brexit requires both continuous engagement with what has happened (unlike the first group) and standing back from what has happened (unlike the second group). In this book, I aim to draw upon my efforts to do the first in order to do the second. It is here that the recurring themes sketched above become crucial in understanding how Brexit has unfolded. What they enable is a way of making sense of the complexity and confusion of what has happened. For whilst the story of Brexit has unfolded chronologically, it has, throughout the years since 2016, shown the patterns and repetitions of these recurring themes. So I will tell that story so that it does not just chronicle what happened, but explains how and why it happened. In doing so, I am telling it in terms of what happened in Britain and I, myself, am British. There are clearly other accounts to be given from the perspective of the EU or of individual EU members, and indeed one of the problems throughout the Brexit process was that so much of the British debate was domestically focused. However, I do seek to include in my account explanations of EU interests and motivations, and particularly those of Ireland, the country other than the UK most affected, so I hope it is not a wholly parochial one. Underlying the idea that Brexit is a process that has unfolded via a series of recurring themes is the proposition that what has happened was never predetermined, in part because of the contradictions within and in some cases between the themes Ive outlined. Throughout the process there have always been voices, usually those of remainers, claiming either predictively or retrospectively that such and such was always bound to happen or even was the plan all along. Others have, with equal certainty, claimed the same for completely different outcomes. This has applied in particular to whether or not there would be a Withdrawal Agreement and, later, to whether or not there would be a trade deal. For the most part, these voices have been mistaken not necessarily in their predictions since, by definition, some of those predicting contradictory things were going to be right, but in the assumptions of inevitability. In reality, the way that events have unfolded was contingent rather than necessary: that is, with different decisions or different actions different outcomes were possible. I will return to this in the concluding chapter but, for now, will just say that no one writing in 2016 could conceivably have predicted even the broad outlines of what actually happened over the following years. Although I am an academic, this is not an academic book; it does not for the most part use academic sources, and it is not written for an academic audience. In the ways Ive already suggested, my academic background has some relevance, and is probably what enabled me to write both this book and my other works on Brexit. But, more, it is an example of what in my opinion is the too-rare genre of academics writing for the general public in a way that is hopefully intelligent and accessible without being convoluted or condescending. In this, there is a tricky balance between what novelists call telling and showing. As I tell the story of Brexit, there will be constant episodes which show one or more of the themes Ive outlined in this chapter. In most academic writing, the convention is to tell, show and re-tell, which in this context would mean drawing the readers attention to each example of one of the themes being in play. I think that would be an unbearably didactic approach and so, instead, I rely on readers good sense and intelligence to see when my telling of events shows the themes I have identified. However, in the conclusion, I will spell some of these out explicitly. BREXIT, UNFOLDED This book does not attempt to explain what led to the referendum being held, nor to explain its result. Such explanations already exist5 and no doubt there will be many more in the future. Instead, it starts from the point at which that result was announced and discusses the events since then, culminating in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The chapters are arranged chronologically, and structured around the main political phases, to show the unfolding process but sometimes, in the interests of clarity, there are slight overlaps in that arrangement and I also refer forwards and backwards as the story proceeds so as to show links or to provide reminders. In giving an account of these Brexit years, part of my purpose is to correct some of the more flagrant rewritings of history that have already occurred. In this respect, the blog mentioned earlier has acted as a valuable archive in that it contains a contemporaneous record of events and helps to avoid errors arising from hindsight, although, used properly, hindsight can also be useful to make sense of what was not necessarily obvious at the time. However, this book is very far from being a complete history of what has happened. It is probably too early to write anything which could properly be called a history, partly because the events are too recent for the application of a historical gaze and partly, as I will make clear, because although the end of the transition period marks a certain moment in the Brexit process, it is very far from an end. It is a semi-colon, rather than a full stop. In any case, this cannot be a complete account of all the twists and turns of the almost five-year period it covers. That would require many large volumes rather than a single book. It would also need insider access to the political actors and papers to provide such a completeness, whereas this book is based on (a wide range of) publicly available sources. From those sources, and my own interpretation and analysis of them, what this book provides is a chronologically structured account of how the major events of these years unfolded. It is an attempt to make sense of what we, as a nation, have just lived through in this period which has changed so much in our lives, as well as to explain to those abroad who have looked on, often with bemusement. I hope, along the way, to convey the drama of these events for, whatever else may be said of the Brexit process, it has at times been highly engaging in ways that contrast with the perhaps rather drab and technocratic nature of normal British politics. Be that as it may, this book is also, as its subtitle implies, a critique of what has happened. Because of the polarised landscape which Brexit has created, some will reject that critique out of hand. In particular, although there are places at which I criticise remainers, or say things which some of them will find deeply unpalatable, I am well aware that some readers will dismiss my entire account as remainer truth (or even as remainer lies). To them I would say a few things. First, that I have attempted to show at several points how and why a Brexiter account would differ from mine. Second, that reading the book will, if nothing else, give an insight into how some of their compatriots see Brexit. And, third, if they at least agree with my argument that the Brexit process has not given them what they wanted then it may be that they will come to agree with my explanation of how and why that came about. If so, it may also be that they will come to think, as I do, that what I provide in this book is an accurate and damning chronicle which might serve as a warning for the future. * I use United Kingdom (UK) and Britain interchangeably, and Great Britain to refer to England, Wales and Scotland. I use Brexiter to mean a high-profile public advocate of Brexit, including politicians, journalists and other leaders or opinion-formers. I use leaver or leave voter to mean a member of the general public who supports or voted for Brexit. I use Brexit Ultra to mean someone highly committed to a hard or very hard form of Brexit (in senses I will subsequently define). I do not draw the same distinction amongst remainers because remaining in the EU only took a single form in the Brexit process, i.e. to stay in the EU. I use remainer to mean a voter for or advocate of staying in the EU, and I use leading remainer to refer to a high-profile advocate of remaining in the EU in the same sense as for such advocates of Brexit. *** *** Chris Grey studied Economics and Politics at Manchester University, where he then completed a PhD on the regulation of financial services. He later became Professor of Organization Studies at Cambridge University and a Fellow of Wolfson College. He subsequently moved to Warwick University and then to Royal Holloway, University of London, where he is now an Emeritus Professor. He has held visiting professorships at Copenhagen Business School and Universite Paris-Dauphine and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. He has written extensively on Brexit, including an internationally popular and widely praised blog, and is frequently quoted in the media (e.g. Financial Times, Reuters). He has appeared as a Brexit expert on the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Germanys ARD and elsewhere. He has given invited expert evidence to the Scottish Parliament and his writings appear on the House of Commons Library and Northern Ireland Assembly reading lists. The fundamental issue is not the over dependence on China per se. The national pride is deeply affected irrespective of which country one becomes servile to; whether it is China, India, the United States, the Soviet Union or anyone else. by Javid Yusuf Continuous mismanagement of the economy has made the country vulnerable and over dependent on questionable measures to keep the economy afloat. Large scale printing of money and currency swaps are being resorted to as a means of replenishing the empty coffers of the Treasury. With Sri Lankas Fitch Ratings being shown up in a negative light the countrys capacity to access funds in the international market has taken a beating. Foreign reserves are at a low thus rendering the countrys debt servicing obligations an area of concern for the Government and the country. In the midst of all this, Sri Lankas increasing dependence and often servile attitude to China is a matter of concern to all those who value the independence of the country. The fundamental issue is not the over dependence on China per se. The national pride is deeply affected irrespective of which country one becomes servile to; whether it is China, India, the United States, the Soviet Union or anyone else. For a country which proudly held its head high and could speak its mind to all members of the international community, irrespective of its size or influence, it is indeed a sad situation we are in right now. As a result of the principled foreign policy followed by early leaders in which the national interest took precedence, the country enjoyed the respect of the international community to the extent that it was even elevated to the status of heading the Non Aligned Movement. In view of its standing in the global arena, Sri Lanka could undertake a successful mediatory role in the Indo-China dispute in 1962. On the other hand it could take a principled stand during the Suez Crisis based on the injustices caused to the Palestinian people. Further it could offer limited facilities of refuelling to Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan conflict that led to the creation of Bangladesh despite both India and Pakistan being equally valued friends of the country. It was an era where the world listened when Sri Lanka spoke. Today it is a matter for deep regret that Sri Lanka does not enjoy the same degree of respect in the international community as it did in the past. According to many pronouncements of the current Government it follows a neutral (not nonaligned) foreign policy. The late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike speaking in the United Nations General Assembly took offence at the description of the nonaligned countries as uncommitted (neutral). We are committed to the hilt against injustice, he said. The failure to follow the prudent policy of not putting all the economic eggs in one political basket has increased the current vulnerability of Sri Lanka. Having burned its boats with long standing friends of the past like India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan it is cosying up to another old friend, China. However the Government has failed to differentiate between the China of the 1950s (when it signed the Rubber-Rice pact as a manifestation of the friendship between the two countries), and the China of today. Today, with its Belt and Road Initiative and its economy power, China is seeking to expand its influence in the world to fulfil its global ambitions. It is in search of countries that will help it achieve its objectives, and by its actions in the recent past, Sri Lanka has shown that it is willing and able to oblige. The fact that Chinas footprint in the country is increasing is there for all but the blind to see. Starting with the ill-conceived Hambantota Port project, Chinas role in the Sri Lankan economy has spread into large and not so large projects in the country. The Port City project itself has been described by detractors as a pre-cursor to the setting up of a Chinese colony. Many construction projects have been taken over by Chinese companies staffed by Chinese and identified by large billboards with Chinese lettering. Many Chinese shops identifiable by their billboards have sprung up in the city showing the extent of the Chinese spread. The most recent expose of the Chinese involvement is the news of the involvement of Chinese personnel wearing Chinese Army like fatigue in the excavation work of the Tissa Wewa tank in the Hambantota District. It is the use of these fatigues that probably attracted media spotlight. Otherwise this is another Chinese project that may have gone unnoticed. What is of concern is why such a project could not have been entrusted to a Sri Lankan Company, which could have obtained the service of Sri Lankans with the necessary expertise, who are readily available given that this is a country with a irrigation tank culture. It has now been revealed that the Tissa Wewa is a historic monument nearly 2000 years old therefore making it of considerable archaeological value. Media reports also claim the project has not obtained the approval of the Archaeological Department and has been halted. The question uppermost in the minds of the people must be why no action has been taken in terms of the Archaeological Ordinance against the offenders. In the past when offences in breach of the Antiquities Ordinance are committed a huge cry is raised and the offenders are brought before the Courts. According to former Minister S. B. Dissanayake, China has informed the Sri Lankan Government that it could borrow as much as it wants from China and return such loans whenever it could. If all indications are anything to go by the Government has accepted the offer. One hopes that it will not be like the case of the fly which was invited by the spider into its web. In the past, and occasionally in the present, there are many vocal advocates who speak out against what they describe as Indian expansionism. Today these patriots seemed to have disappeared and are maintaining a loud silence in the face of the increase in Chinese influence in the country which may amount to Chinese expansionism. (javidyusuf@gmail.com) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form 8. Former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel, known for reading the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record and who later was one of Barack Obamas Democratic challengers when Obama first won the presidency, has died at the age of 91. What state did he represent? He also cared for humans too. In his 70s, he provided foster care for two boys who came from troubled homes. One is now married and in the Marines, the other is in high school, according to friends and loved ones. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen, amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgment of courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice. Now to the construction of express lanes between Miami and Delray Beach. Im told the cost will exceed $1 billion. What I see is more akin to a class traffic system one for the rich, one for the poor. If youre willing to pay, you can drive in the left express lanes and avoid traffic. If you dont pay, you are forced to use the lanes that have been there for 35 years and live with rush hour gridlock. Summer might well be called rose season; the warm weather of the Costa del Sol is perfect for sipping the refreshing pink wine that is growing in popularity. However it was once highly underestimated even in Spain. Rose indeed has had its ups and downs - from high appreciation to being regarded as a wine for people who didn't really like wine. A dramatic turn came after World War II when two Portuguese wine producer families both released sweet, slightly sparkling roses. Their wines, Mateus and Lancers, would go on to set record sales in Europe and the US. However, in the UK rose had a bad reputation as it was associated with sweet, cheap, blush wines until the late 70s. It appears that the significant onset of changing tastes occurred in the 21st century and as a result led to a rose rebirth. Oldest wine Over recent years, rose has been re-evaluated. It definitely deserves this as it might be the oldest known type of wine, dating back as far as 600BC or even earlier. It is believed that the ancient Greeks harvested white and red grapes together and pressed them quickly to speed up the fermentation process. This resulted in the creation of a light pink wine. Greek colonists from Phocaea brought grape vines to modern-day Marseille, where they began making wine. Although rose is a staple of the Provence region, the wine doesn't belong to any specific region. Nevertheless, Provence remains the main producer of dry rose wines with red grapes only and using the technology of champagne. However, rose is more a style of wine, and it doesnt matter whether it is still or sparkling, sweet or dry. Different varieties are produced in different countries, including Italy, United States, Uruguay and even Russia, among others. After France, the second largest producer is Spain. Spanish roses In Spain, roses are known as rosados and have various types - from fruity to oak-aged. The centre of rose is in Navarra, north of Rioja and south-west of France. More than half of Navarra's wine production is dedicated to rosados made primarily from the Garnacha (Grenache) grape. The most noted place in Navarra is a small agricultural village of San Martin de Unx where the Rose Wine Festival is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in June. World day The second Saturday of June was chosen as the World Day of Rose by Bodvar. The Swedish businessman Bodvar Hafstrom founded the House of Roses in Provence in 2006 in order to collect the greatest rose wines from around the world under one brand and make them available to discerning customers. Over recent years, Bodvar has been considered as one of the most highly appreciated rose wines and thereby confirms its self-title as "the world's only truly focused rose wine house". However, this day was not acknowledged everywhere, even in Provence. In 2018, Valerie Rousselle & family, the owner of prestigious rose vineyards Chateau Roubine and Chateau Sainte-Beatrice created International Rose Day, now held on 25 June under the auspices of the International Rose Organization. Javier Gross in Antequera. / SUR Malaga producer The year 2018 is special for rose wine in Malaga province. That year Antequera vineyard Gross Hermanos with a more than a century long tradition rekindled its production of wines. A year later, the first bottles of 'Gross Rosado' with denomination of origin (DO) Sierras de Malaga were added to the list of exclusive rosados. The owner of the Antequera vineyard Javier Gross told SUR in English: "My family is of German origin and they started cultivating grapes in the 19th century. Our organic vineyard is at an altitude of 780 metres in the limestone terrain of the foothills of the Sierra de Chimenea natural area. The predominance of the southeast winds in consonance with the continental nature of the area give our grapes higher quality. "There are three major ways to produce rose wine: skin contact, saignee, and blending. We made our rosados using the 'sangrado' (saignee) method meaning 'bleeding' where rose juice is bled off the red wine. Rose of this style is often bolder and darker in colour than any other rose wine and even stronger. Our rosado is salmon pink in colour and contains 13% of alcohol in comparison to an average content of 12% ABV." Rose is not made from a specific grape variety although generally produced from red grapes; varieties such as Graciano, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan and Garnacha (Grenache) are mostly used by Spanish winemakers for rosados. Javier Gross explained: "We started rose production just three years ago. Our first Rose of the year 2019 was made 100% with Merlot grape. Rosado of 2020 contained 80% of Merlot and the rest Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon. We plan to have less Merlot this year. So, every year it is different, the permanent thing is that our wine is organic and is characterised by a frank and expressive aroma with floral and tropical fruit nuances and with balanced and elegant acidity." How to drink Rose wine has very affordable prices in any local supermarket though it is becoming more associated with class and glamour. It is recommended to chill rose in the fridge for several hours before serving in flared lip glasses with a long stem. This wine can be offered to guests before dinner though, indeed, rose is a perfect wine to accompany various salads as well as pasta, roasted vegetables, and fish, among others. Besides Navarra, Spain has other wine regions noted for their rosados including DOs in Valencia, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha, Basque Country and Castilla y Leon. They abseil the height of five apartments down a steel cable in a few seconds. When they touch the ground, they remove their harnesses automatically, while looking in all directions: for ledges, windows, possible threats. These police officers are in reality in the provincial headquarters in Malaga and this operation is one of many training exercises they do every week, but that doesn't matter. Their senses are on high alert even though it is a drill, because when it happens for real, these hours of instruction will prevent problems occurring in real situations. They are equipped with ballistic shields, assault weapons and other firearms, helmets that weigh several kilos and jackets that make standing upright a difficult task. They are the Grupo Operativo Especial de Seguridad, the Special Security Operations Group, known as GOES, which is the National Police's most highly trained elite squad apart from the Special Operations Group (GEO). The GOES squad in Malaga is 30 years old this year, and we were allowed in to watch the day-to-day training which is "absolutely vital", we are told by the inspector who leads the group, a veteran officer with hundreds of operations behind him. He is in charge of 13 other officers. The GOES officers have to update their knowledge and prove their ability on a regular basis to continue as part of the squad Unlike the GEO, those in the GOES squad are trained to handle every situation that an assault group could face. "The GEO has a lot of personnel and they specialise in different disciplines, but we have to know how to do everything," says the inspector, who is working with several of his men, preparing the weapons and protection they need to practise a raid on a property. Two shots ring out, as a gun with fake ammunition opens fire on a cardboard door. On the other side of it are several rooms marked off with seamless paper for the manoeuvre. The GOES officers split into groups of two and check the rooms without hesitation. In less than a minute they have made sure that there are no threats and that the house is 'clean'. / F. T. "We face very difficult situations every day and we have to take very fast decisions," explains the inspector. Their function as a group is very clear: they have to face up to the greatest risk. That is why the physical and technical tests to join any of the nine GOES squads in Spain are the most demanding (swimming, endurance, vertical jumping, agility, operational knowledge...). All the members of this elite squad also have to demonstrate that their operational and psychological capacities remain intact, on a regular basis. In the case of kidnappings, they have to take charge of the situation until the GEO arrive from Guadalajara (in many cases they are directly responsible for freeing the hostages). The GOES group is also involved in neutralising and arresting members of terrorist groups, armed gangs and dangerous criminals . The GOES in Malaga serves the four provinces of eastern Andalucia (Malaga, Jaen, Granada and Almeria). A large part of their work is centred on the Costa del Sol and, in fact, that is where some of their most recent and high profile interventions have taken place. In April they arrested the person who fired the shot that killed a DJ at an illegal party in Marbella - he was an armed member of the criminal gang Angeles del Infierno. It was also officers from the GOES who last month arrested the suspected killer of a man whose body was found in a lorry in Torremolinos. "We collaborate every day with the Judicial Police investigation groups," says the inspector, a symbiosis which makes particular sense in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. The hardest case The head of the squad doesn't hesitate when asked about the hardest situation he has had to handle. It was in March 2010, when a man tried to kidnap a bank manager in Fuengirola. When he failed, he barricaded himself inside his home, which was surrounded by the National Police during the hours of negotiation. "He didn't want to come out," remembers the inspector, who ordered his men to open the door. As soon as he saw a chance, the suspect - who turned out to be an off-duty National Police officer - opened fire against the police, who repelled the attack with their service weapons. The subject died instantly, and when the police secured the area, they realised that things had been about to take a turn for the worst. "My ballistic shield had several impacts, and so did one of my colleague's helmets. One officer had been shot in the arm," says the inspector. "For us, an operation goes well if there is no damage, when you order someone to stop and they comply." Because in the worst situations, where the risk is greater, the GOES steps forward to mark and defend the blue line that separates order from chaos. Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. MBABANE Ngwempisi Member of Parliament Mthandeni Dube has blamed the police and government for the spate of violence that marred the protest marches across the country. Dube revealed that the violence that formed a greater part of the protest marches was never a part of their initial plan when they started calling for political change. He said the police and the military police were the cause of the violence because they started beating people in an attempt to silence them. The country has seen a spate of violence and arson attacks which left others seriously injured and others rumoured to be shot dead during the protest marches around the country. Dube said the government shouldnt have deployed the military police and soldiers to block the protesters. Dube mentioned that when they started the calls for political change, the goal was clear but it all got out of hand when government decided to fight those who wanted to deliver petitions. He said the Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, could have handled the matter differently and engaged the people as compared to using intimidating techniques. The approach taken by government was militant from the onset and it fuelled the anger of the youth. The country is now in danger of a civil war because our government failed to listen to the people but decided to provoke them by deploying armed forces and stricter regulations, he said. Dube said the youth have already shown resilience which makes them even more dangerous now. He encouraged government to engage the people through a formal political dialogue that will deal direct with the issues raised by the people. He mentioned that now is the time where the role of parliament must be made significance in the discussions of the current political situation. Right now, we should discuss this thing matter at parliament level and we come up with sound proposal to restore peace so that we can then open a political dialogue. I dont believe that the Sibaya will work this time around so we must get a neutral round table to have this conversation. I must make it clear though that what will stop all this is giving the people what they want, he said. Dube said the people will only stop rioting if government can engage them and give them what they want. He highlighted that the country is at risk of creating child soldiers because the youth has shown that it is willing to die for what it wants. We do not condone violence and we want to request the people to make sure that they stay safe because it is now clear that the armed forces are ready to use heavy handedness. We wont stop the call for change until government gives us what we want said Dube. Dube mentioned that government must also consider engaging the proscribed political parties because they cannot be ignored anymore. It can also be proven that the youth forms a bigger part of the political parties and, therefore, government cannot afford to ignore them anymore. I say government must consider engaging the proscribed groups if it intends to find a lasting solution to this, he said. MBABANE Eswatini Conference of Churches (ECC) has broken its silence on the current political turmoil in the country and offered to mediate between government and the citizens. ECC issued a statement calling for an inclusive dialogue between government and all stakeholders, encouraging the nation to peacefully submit their petitions in a non-violent manner. The church mother body emphasised on the urgency of the dialogue. We, as the Christian mother body, are committed to mediate between government and all concerned stakeholders in Eswatini. We would like to urge all stakeholders to take heed of this urgent call for meaningful engagement in finding a lasting solution to the prevailing socio-political instability, said the statement by (ECC). resolution ECC called upon government to commit itself to a peaceful resolution and open the negotiation table to engage the people on their petitions. The council, through its executive Board, has called upon the countrys leadership to create a dialogue platform where the people will be engaged and a lasting solution found. ECC had been silent on the issue since the beginning of the political reform protest. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Themba Ngozo said the organisation is well aware of the role that the church plays in the society and, therefore, there was a need to assess the situation before the executive Board could meet and make a collective statement on the matter. We are a Christian organisation that is under the values of our religion and we are also aware of the role that the church plays in influencing the behaviour of the society, especially the youth. Our duty as a church borders around the advocacy for peace, equality and stability and, therefore, the Board will be rightly placed to make a formal comment on this one, he said. In the statement the church mother body appealed to government and the citizens to engage in a peaceful dialogue regarding the issues raised by the people through petitions delivered in different constituencies. platform ECC said they appreciate governments effort for providing an email platform where the people can continue to voice out their concerns. As a church mother body we exist to promote peace and encourage unity. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing riots and growing political instability taking place in the country. We reiterate the call for peaceful, inclusive engagements of all affected stakeholders, reads the statement. ECC further called upon government to urgently open meaningful negotiations with the people to find solutions to the ongoing socio-political crisis. They also appealed to the citizens to engage in non-violent approaches to resolve the issues that had been raised with government. ECC observes that the ongoing violence and destruction of property will not bring lasting solutions to the socio-economic and political instability in the country. We would like to extend our sympathy to all who have been negatively affected by the ongoing protests, violence and vandalism, said ECC. MBABANE After the setting alight of public and private properties by looters together with protesters in the ongoing public unrest, government has banned the public from purchasing petrol and loading it in containers. Instead, only petrol that will be filled directly into motor vehicle tanks will be allowed. This move, which is with immediate effect, has been announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy kindly informs the public that filling of fuel into containers at the fuel service station/filling stations has been suspended for safety reasons. This will be implemented with immediate effect, reads a statement issued yesterday by Minister Peter Bhembe. Chairman of the Swaziland Consumer Association Bongani Mdluli said they appreciated governments concern but each and every case must be dealt on its own because there might be genuine cases that call for the purchasing of fuel in containers. He said there should be flexibility in certain instances where, for instance, there might be queues in the filling stations and the convenient option is to use containers. In other cases you might want to buy petrol and diesel at the same time; because you cannot drive both cars at the same time, you will have to fill either the petrol or the diesel in a container, he said. blanket statement Mdluli said government could not issue a blanket statement just like that because each and every case should be determined on its own. There are genuine cases where you look at the person who is buying the fuel who you might find is really pressed to buy in containers so that they could go back home to fill their cars. If I come with a 25 litre and I am known in that filling station, who then can I bomb? Much as we do appreciate the concern and we are cognisant of the fact that some people later abuse that petrol but there are instances where proper judgment should be applied, he said. He said one might need to buy fuel in containers for cars that are parked in their yard and in the same breath appreciated governments concern that there were those individuals who might raise suspicion, which he believed could be in rare cases, which would only be then that this ban could be applied. The issue of safety is also important and we cannot ignore it but we should not inconvenience everyone. Each and every case should be determined on its own because there are genuine cases, he reiterated. Efforts to get comment from the Fuel Retailers Association failed to materialise as Chairman Mduduzi Nyoni did not respond to questions that were sent to him. As reported by Eswatini News yesterday, property that could be estimated, unofficially, at E500 million, was allegedly destroyed by the protesters in the past couple of days by having buildings, cars and sugarcane fields burnt down. Some of the businesses that have been destroyed include Bandag Tyres at the Mbabane Industrial Site; TOP ten Cash and Carry and V-Best Wholesalers, which are both situated at the Sidwashini Industrial Site in Mbabane. The Fire and Emergency Department has been blamed for taking too long to respond to calls to attend to these fire outbreaks. MBABANE Today, a team of ministers from the SADC region is expected to arrive in the country with a view to ensure that a process of national dialogue is entered into to bring to an end the ongoing social and political unrest. Botswana President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, in his capacity as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, issued a statement on Friday stating that the regional body was concerned with reports of violent disturbances in the Kingdom of Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III is a former chairperson of this organ and during his tenure he played a great role in restoring peace in countries that include Madagascar and Zimbabwe. The country even played host to former Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana, who had been ousted by Andre Rajoelina. Interestingly, government yesterday issued its own statement saying it had since invited the Masisi-led organ, which is popularly known as Troika, on a fact-finding mission following the current obtaining situation in the country. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thuli Dladla when asked if this was an intervention by SADC or an invitation from government to SADC for intervention said: It is an invitation by the Kingdom of Eswatini to this organ not for intervention but for a fact-finding mission. The government would like them to come and find out exactly what is going on. we invited them - Thuli When this journalist brought it to her attention that SADC had already issued its own statement earlier announcing that a team was being sent to come to Eswatini, the minister said this regional body had not communicated anything to them so far but we have invited them to come and carry out a fact-finding mission. We have invited Troika not SADC as a whole, the minister insisted. Meanwhile, Masisi, in his statement, said the violent disturbances had resulted in widespread destruction of property, injuries to people, with at least one death reported. SADC also notes with concern, the disruption to normal personal, community and daily economic activities, including critical government COVID-19 response strategies, which are essential for the health and safety of the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the entire humanity, he said. He said SADC called upon all individuals, groups and organisations that had grievances to desist from acts of violence, while also urging the security services to exercise restraint in their response to restore order and normalcy. SADC also urges all stakeholders to channel their grievances through the established national structures, and the authorities to have an open national dialogue, in order to continue upholding the legacy of peace and stability that has characterised the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the region at large, Masisi said. He then added by mentioning that the SADC Organ, Troika, was urgently dispatching a team of ministers to the kingdom with a view to further encourage the kingdom to find a lasting solution. MBABANE Property damages caused by some people who participated in pro-democracy protests throughout the week are estimated at approximately E3 billion so far. This was disclosed last night by Senator Manqoba Khumalo, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade. Khumalo said business property damages that occurred nationwide resulted in 5 000 job losses. He said informal traders and SMEs were affected by the burning of the commercial buildings, which was accompanied by the looting of goods. The minister said the damage was extensive such that business establishments across the country were affected. He said factories, parastatals, sugar mills and those small businesses could not be spared from the arson attacks. Movable assets such as trucks were burnt as well. Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku toured damaged business property in Matsapha yesterday afternoon. He also met some of the property owners who included Lincoln Motsa, the director of OK Stores, whose eight shops were damaged. Masuku was accompanied by Khumalo. Trouble began last week when protesters at Msunduza in Mbabane and Siphofaneni clashed with the police over the delivery of petitions to Mbabane East Inkhundlas MP Harries Madze Bulunga and MP Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane. The security agents implemented an order from the acting prime minister banning the delivery of petitions at various tinkhundla centres. The acting prime minister said he banned the gatherings because of the threat posed by the third wave of COVID-19. Last Saturday night, the notable casualty was a truck belonging to Shoprite which was extensively burnt. On Monday, the burning of property continued in many parts of the country as shopping complexes and stores such as OK and Buy Cash Hardware were torched. Business Eswatini also condemned the destruction of property, mentioning one liSwati who grew his businesses in public view and took them to greater heights. Other Eswatini owned businesses that were severely burnt include Bandag Tyres, where 100 jobs were reportedly at stake, Buy Cash in Piggs Peak. In Nhlangano, a building that houses, among others, OBC Butchery, Mr. Price, Sleep Masters, Galitos was burnt as well. notable casualty The destruction to property occurred all over the country. Roads were inaccessible as the looters vandalised cars. The first notable casualty was Shoprite, whose truck carrying goods last Saturday was set ablaze in what was described as the arguably first unfortunate occurrence on the shores. The situation has seemingly calmed down after government deployed the army to the streets to ensure order and peace. Government said it might take about 10 years for many of the affected businesses to recover. In a statement, Lincoln Motsa, the co-director of OK Stores, explained that his businesses suffered a combined loss of E60 million. Motsa said eight of his stores in the country were looted. He said a complement of 500 workers; management team and customers were affected. The looted and vandalised stores included four OK Stores at Kwaluseni, Mathangeni, Mhlaleni and Logoba. There were two liquor stores that were looted at Kwaluseni and Mathangeni, with two SaveMart stores at Luyengo and Mbikwakhe also vandalised. Out of these, he said, four stores were set on fire and these were Kwaluseni, Mathangeni, Mhlaleni and Luyengo. The businessman lamented that they were burnt beyond recognition. Out of these, four (4) were set on fire (Kwaluseni, Mathangeni, Mhlaleni, and Luyengo) with two burning beyond recognition, following these unfortunate incidents, he said. MBABANE Princess Sikhanyiso, the Minister of ICT, has alleged that mercenaries have invaded the country. She told BBC Focus on Africa that the mercenaries were in army uniform and masquerading as the countrys soldiers and police. A mercenary is a soldier hired into foreign service, and sometimes known as a soldier of fortune. The mercenary takes part in military conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict and is not a member of any other official military. They actually fight for money or other forms of payment rather than for political interests. The minister said the mercenaries had been hired by people with an agenda to cause anarchy. Strategic On the ground, she pointed out that there were arsonists, looters and abused people who were allegedly forced to join in the destruction of strategic buildings of economic interest. She said they also mounted roadblocks where they masqueraded as the security forces. At worse, she said they were shooting innocent citizens. Princess Sikhanyiso said they took videos of themselves shooting. She said they sent the video clips to social media to upset the public that the Eswatini security forces were abusing and killing citizens. The minister of Information, Communication and Technology said the order to shoot to kill did not come from His Majesty the King. Asked by the BBC journalist if the King was ready for a dialogue on democracy rather than absolute monarchy, she said she was not sure if the people who caused anarchy were prepared to negotiate with them. The ministers audio clip was widely circulated on social media where she was criticised for allegedly peddling falsehood by beguiling the global community. sensationalism She said she portrayed the truth and factual version of what was happening on the ground against what she described as sensationalism. Princess Sikhanyiso said there were anarchists who hijacked the delivery of petitions by the youth at the various tinkhundla centres who had genuine needs for employment, service delivery and quality of life. While the youth was genuinely delivering the petitions to their MPs, she said there was a certain group that appeared at every petition delivery to create anarchy. The eldest daughter of His Majesty said this particular group threatened MPs that they would return to the constituencies and become aggressive and violent towards them if the demands were not addressed or come to pass. She claimed the threatening COVID-19 third wave caused government, particularly the acting prime minister, to think about the safety of the youth by suggesting for a virtual delivery of the petition. She said the acting premier also invited the three MPs to a roundtable for a dialogue, of which, they decided to withdraw; not willing to negotiate because of issues of distrust with government. The King is open to the views of the people, and he had said it in his speeches, said Princess Sikhanyiso. MBABANE In case you were wondering as to when the countrys army will leave the streets, know this: they are not going anywhere anytime soon. The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) has now informed the nation that it would be a dominant sight countrywide in light of the current prevailing unrest, arson attacks on private and public properties, looting in outlets, harassment and killing of innocent civilians. His Majesty the King is Commander-In-Chief of the UEDF. The first sight of the army being deployed on the countrys streets was on Tuesday after protesters went on a rampage and set properties, including buildings and trucks transporting various commodities, on fire. This presence was heightened to even the townships, where looting of shops and barricading of roads using stones, logs and garbage bins became the order of the day. Yesterday, UEDF Public Relations Officer Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, at the behest of Army Commander General Jeffrey Tshabalala, said the defence force has since taken over the unfortunate situation. She said this was in fulfilment of the armys mandate, which, among other things, is to assist civilian authority in maintaining law and order during volatile situations such as this. The UEDF is proud to share with all emaSwati that ever since taking over from the situation, peace has been restored. The defence force has successfully protected many lives and properties, which were on the verge of destruction by the arsonists masquerading as protesters, Khumalo said. She emphasised that the UEDF would continue to perform its core functions in protecting lives and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Eswatini. She said they would do this despite smear campaigns aimed at tainting the reputation of our establishment. smear campaigns The smear campaigns, the lieutenant said, were based on information they had reliably gathered that there were foreign insurgents who were participating in the ongoing strife, who went about shooting at innocent people and shifting the blame to the military. The UEDF, would like to caution, these individuals to desist from their sporadic attacks on innocent civilians and arson attacks, to refrain from wearing a camouflage uniform that resembles ours, Khumalo said. She passed on the defence forces request to the nation to cooperate with our diligent troops on the ground and respect all curfews that have been set by government. Khumalo pleaded with parents to ensure that their children remained at home until the entire situation cleared. In fact, parents ought to warn their children against joining these protesters, said the army PRO. Khumalo further said the defence force always aspired to work as professionally as possible, hence the call for people to cooperate. She added: To those who fail to abide by our requests, they will face the full wrath of our troops. The nation should not panic. The defence force is there to serve the nation. The announcement by the army that it has since taken over the countrys streets happens only a day after the Institute for Democracy and Leadership (IDEAL), which is a non-profit making organisation, filed an urgent application at the High Court seeking an order removing soldiers from the streets. In line with its simplification through digitisation strategy, Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) officially unveiled its completely revamped design for the Banks Financial Mall located in Riffa, revealing a completely new innovative design. Aptly named the Riffa Innovation Hub, the new space combines the best of both traditional and digital experiences in a single space. With one floor dedicated to traditional customer service representatives complete with customer service agents offering their usual services, as well as a fully-fledged digital floor with self-service machines and digital services dedicated to its customers that prefer to complete their banking transactions independently, the Hub also contains the locally-owned coffee shop, Roast. The Riffa Innovation Hubs coffee shop was selected through a competition launched last year, where Roast emerged as the finalist in the competition. The competition came as part of the Banks efforts to provide ongoing support to local entrepreneurial and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Bahrain, by delivering innovative corporate products that facilitate their transactions. By launching the competition, which was facilitated with the Banks collaboration with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI), BisB aimed to support the SME sector in a more direct manner; by providing an opportunity of the lifetime to winner by offering a discounted rent for the entire tenure duration at the rate of 1BD alongside free utilities. The Riffa Innovation Hub will be a place beyond banking, not only because it combines the best of the digital and traditional worlds, offering a completely unique and seamless experience that caters to all our customers, but also because well be opening up a coffee shop in the same space so you can grab a cup of coffee with a friend. Its a complete gamechanger for the traditional customer experience, offering simplified service while introducing a new lifestyle-based concept to meet our valued customers needs, said the Chief Executive Officer of BisB, Hassan Jarrar. This will be the new way forward for all our Financial Malls, as part of our promise to simplify money matters, ultimately transforming the traditional customer experience to one that is both digital and modern- the Riffa Innovation Hub will usher in the future of Banking. This is a milestone moment for BisB, and although we look forward to receiving our customers to this brand-new concept, we still encourage our customers to make use of our services available online considering the current situation, said Dalal Al Qais, Chief of Retail Banking at BisB. Especially considering the difficult circumstances facing starts ups and local businesses in the face of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are extremely grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity of having access to a space with a strategic location and guaranteed footfall at such a low cost. We are also excited to be part of a new concept for the banking industry, and look forward to serving premium coffee to both the employees of BisB and customers that come to the Riffa Innovation Hub, revealed the founder and CEO of Roast Coffee Shop, Sadiq Al Thahaba. The fully fledged digital floor allows customers to perform a multitude of transactions without the need for human intervention, such as card-less cash withdrawals or deposits, printing account statements, checkbook printing, as well instant card issuance through the use of a dedicated self-service kiosk. Customers can also open accounts, apply for financing, maintain or update their records and even speak to a bank representative through a video screen as an added option. -- TradeArabia News Service Qatar Petroleum has signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Shell for the supply of 1 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to China for 10 years. LNG deliveries will commence in January 2022 to various LNG terminals in China. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, said: We are pleased to enter into this new LNG SPA with our trusted partner, Shell. I am especially delighted that this agreement will meet part of the demand of Shells end customers in China, thereby further supplementing Qatars contribution to meeting China's growing energy needs. This SPA further highlights our ability to meet the requirements of our customers and partners across the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of Shell for the successful conclusion of this SPA, which is another testament to our long and fruitful partnership. I would also like to thank Sheikh Khalid Khalifa Al Thani, the CEO of Qatargas, and his team for their valuable contributions to reinforce Qatars position in the LNG market, and meet the needs of our customers, he added. Qatar Petroleum plans to supply the LNG volumes contracted under this agreement from its Qatargas 1 venture, which will become 100% owned by Qatar Petroleum as of January 1st 2022. China is considered a major customer for the State of Qatar and a strategic partner in the energy sector. With the conclusion of this agreement, China will be supplied with approximately 12 MPTA of LNG under long term SPAs from Qatar. TradeArabia News Service Qatar Petroleum has raised $12.5 billion in a multi-tranche bond offering, the proceeds from which will be used to support the companys growth plans, particularly the North Field expansion projects over the coming few years. The RegS/144A bond offering (sales to investors outside the United States in offshore transactions) consists of 5-, 10- and 20-year conventional tranches, and a dual-listed 30-year Formosa tranche. Strong interest and favourable market conditions together with its outstanding credit ratings, allowed Qatar Petroleum to achieve the following positive outcome: 5-year $1.5 billion at UST+50bps (Coupon: 1.375%) 10-year $3.5 billion at UST+90bps (Coupon: 2.250%) 20-year $3.5 billion at a Yield of 3.15% (Coupon: 3.125%) 30-year $4.0 billion at a Yield of 3.30% (Coupon: 3.300%) This is the largest US dollar fixed rate oil and gas offering, the largest corporate issuance in the MENA region, and the largest corporate Formosa tranche raised globally. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, The President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, said: The outcome of this offering is a strong testament to Qatar Petroleums disciplined approach as an investor and formidable standing not only as the worlds largest LNG producer, but also within the capital and financial markets. Qatar Petroleum recently held a virtual roadshow for its transaction and met with over 130 international investors over a two-day period. These interactions resulted in significant interest from global insurers, asset managers, pension funds and bank treasuries, which resulted in a high quality orderbook, which saw participation from over 500 investors and demand peaking above $40 billion. Al-Kaabi added: The North Field expansion projects will solidify Qatar Petroleums leading role in the LNG industry as well as in the energy transition. We take special pride in the fact that investors recognized this role, the importance of our LNG projects and the bright future of our LNG industry, and that they have expressed overwhelming interest in this unique offering. I would like to thank all the banks and financial and investment institutions that participated in this successful program. I would also like to thank Qatar Petroleums team for the excellent preparation and execution of this program, he concluded. Qatar Petroleum worked with a group of leading global financial institutions on this transaction, including: Citi and J.P. Morgan as Global Coordinators; BofA Securities, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs International, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, MUFG and QNB Capital as Active Bookrunners; and Credit Suisse, who acted as Passive Bookrunner. TradeArabia News Service The growth of hydropower plants worldwide is set to slow significantly this decade, putting at risk the ambitions of countries across the globe to reach net-zero emissions while ensuring reliable energy supplies, said the International Energy Agency (IEA) in a new report. Global hydropower capacity is expected to increase by 17% between 2021 and 2030 led by China, India, Turkey and Ethiopia according to the Hydropower Special Market Report, part of the IEAs Renewables market report series. However, the projected growth for the 2020s is nearly 25% slower than hydropowers expansion in the previous decade. Reversing the expected slowdown will require a range of strong policy actions from governments to address the major challenges that are hampering faster deployment of hydropower, according to the report. These measures include providing long-term visibility on revenues to ensure hydropower projects are economically viable and sufficiently attractive to investors, while still ensuring robust sustainability standards. In 2020, hydropower supplied one sixth of global electricity generation, making it the single largest source of low-carbon power and more than all other renewables combined. Its output has increased 70% over the past two decades, but its share of global electricity supply has held steady because of the increases in wind, solar PV, natural gas and coal. Nonetheless, hydropower currently meets the majority of electricity demand across 28 different emerging and developing economies, which have a total population of 800 million. Hydropower is the forgotten giant of clean electricity, and it needs to be put squarely back on the energy and climate agenda if countries are serious about meeting their net zero goals, said Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director. It brings valuable scale and flexibility to help electricity systems adjust quickly to shifts in demand and to compensate for fluctuations in supply from other sources. Hydropowers advantages can make it a natural enabler of secure transitions in many countries as they shift to higher and higher shares of solar and wind provided that hydropower projects are developed in a sustainable and climate-resilient way. The IEA special report is the first study to provide detailed global forecasts to 2030 for the three main types of hydropower: reservoir, run-of-river and pumped storage facilities. Around half of hydropowers economically viable potential worldwide is untapped, and this potential is particularly high in emerging economies and developing economies, where it reaches almost 60%. Based on todays policy settings, China is set to remain the single largest hydropower market through 2030, accounting for 40% of global expansion, followed by India. However, Chinas share of global hydropower additions has been declining due to the decreasing availability of economically attractive sites and growing concerns over social and environmental impacts. Between now and 2030, $127 billion or almost one-quarter of global hydropower investment is set to be spent on modernising ageing plants, mostly in advanced economies. This is notably the case in North America, where the average age of a hydropower plant is nearly 50 years, and in Europe, where its 45 years. Still, the projected investment falls well short of the $300 billion that the report estimates is necessary to modernise all ageing hydropower plants worldwide. While hydropower remains economically attractive in many regions of the world, the report highlights a number of major challenges it faces. New hydropower projects often face long lead times, lengthy permitting processes, high costs and risks from environmental assessments, and opposition from local communities. These pressures result in higher investment risks and financing costs compared with other power generation and storage technologies, thereby discouraging investors. The IEA report sets out seven key priorities for governments looking to accelerate the deployment of hydropower in a sustainable way. These include locking in long-term pricing structures and ensuring that hydropower projects adhere to strict guidelines and best practices. This kind of approach can minimise sustainability risks and maximise social, economic and environmental advantages. If governments address the hurdles to faster deployment appropriately, global hydropower capacity additions could be 40% higher through 2030 by unblocking existing project pipelines, according to the accelerated case presented in the report. But to put the world on a pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050, as set out in the IEAs recent Global Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050, governments would need to raise their hydropower ambitions drastically. TradeArabia News Service Mammoet, one of the world's leading engineered heavy lifting and transport service providers, is playing a key role for a project being implemented by GE at Canadas second-largest nuclear facility, Darlington. Located east of capital Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario, the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, is undergoing a major refurbishment so that it can supply clean energy for decades to come. The Darlington station generates enough power for two million homes. Following three decades of operation, the plant owner Ontario Power Generation announced a ten-year plan to refurbish the station. This ambitious project involved the replacement of major plant components, which will extend the life of the facility for an additional 30 years. It signifies a commitment to keep Ontario running on a reliable and clean supply of power long into the future. Hence, GE was commissioned to manufacture Darlingtons new stator (a stationary component that helps to convert rotational energy into electrical energy). Assembly took place at the GE's facilities in Poland before shipment to Canada. However, a crucial part of the plants refurbishment was the delivery of an additional stator. But these large, heavy units require a lot of logistical planning to be safely delivered to site. "With such precious cargo in tow, GE entrusted Mammoet with the transport to Darlingtons East Warehouse, where the stator would be stored," said a company spokesman. The new stator began a 8,000-km-long journey via rail from its factory in Poland. It then travelled on the cargo ship 'Happy River' across the Atlantic to the waters of Lake Ontario. At the nearby Port of Oshawa, the stator was then offloaded onto a waiting barge already loaded with the SPMTs required to drive them onto land. However, disembarking the barge at Darlington posed a serious challenge. "Mammoet colleagues have been on site at Darlington for close to 40 years helping to haul the heavy components used for its construction back in 1982. More recently, as the facility prepares to extend operations to 2055, Mammoet engineers have helped to move a wide range of modules there, including heat exchangers, transformers and generators," he explained. It was this intimate familiarity with the site that allowed them to view this challenge from an entirely new angle, he added. It was during their routine site inspection that the Mammoet team - along with local barge operator McKeil - came up with an idea that would eliminate the need for dredging altogether. It was proposed that the stator should be offloaded from the ocean-going transport vessel onto a shallow draft transport barge for the last leg of its water-born journey. "This barge could be floated in close enough to the quay that 15m ramps could connect it with dry land - but at a roughly 45-degree angle relative to the quay edge. These ro-ro ramps would allow the Mammoet team to drive their load off the front of the barge and land it over the corner of the quay instead of the side," said the company spokesman. To secure the barge in this position, Mammoets engineers mobilized two heavy prime mover tractors and a 50 T counterweight to act as bollards. Once safely moored at the Darlington quayside, the plan was then to pump water into the barge slowly, intentionally grounding it. "This extra ballast would allow the barge to settle gently onto the waiting mud below its keel - providing additional stability to supplement this unconventional mooring approach. A dive survey was carried out by the team to confirm that the method was feasible," he explained. "The deck of the barge would thereby create a stable platform of similar height to that of the adjoining dockside roadway. The team could then place the ro-ro ramps between the barge and the dockside, allowing access for the SPMT to safely offload the unit and drive it along the route to its temporary home in the sites warehouses," he added. According to him, the plan was widely acknowledged as a sound and elegant operational solution. "With an in-depth insight into the intricacies of the operation, the team confidently executed the load-in and watched as the stator arrived safely in its new home," he noted. This approach ensured delivery of a crucial plant component while preventing ecological damage to the quay and saving on the prohibitive costs of dredging the harbour, stated the spokesman. Though the approach here was unconventional, Mammoet was able to draw upon both the expertise of its many global engineering centers and the worlds largest fleet of heavy transport equipment to deliver an innovative yet practical solution, he added. Bill Owens, Senior VP, Nuclear Refurbishment Execution, Ontario Power Generation, said: "The movement of the Generator Stator from Poland to our Darlington Nuclear Stations East Warehouse was our first major lift and material movement for our Unit 3 Darlington Refurbishment Project." "The detailed planning and the expertise in the project execution was truly remarkable. I had the opportunity to watch the stator being transported from the barge in Lake Ontario and onto land, then moved into our East Warehouse and it was an impressive display of teamwork and skill by everyone involved," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Germany, Austria and Switzerland have opened their doors for tourism, and Emirates is offering summer packages with special fares and more flights to some of the most popular cities across the three countries. UAE travellers can also choose from more than 30 other cities with quarantine-free entry for their summer break and all special fares can be found on emirates.com. In addition, customers can avail special Emirates Holidays packages starting from AED2,859 per person for a five night stay. Special fares have been extended to July 11, 2021, for travel until February 28, 2022. UAE travellers can book their holiday with Emirates to Switzerland with special fares to Geneva in Economy Class for AED2,475 ($673) and AED13,335 in Business Class. Flights to Zurich start from AED2,275 in Economy Class and AED12,335 in Business Class. Emirates has ramped up its operations to Zurich, operating daily conveniently timed flights per week utilising the A380 on the route. Travellers from the UAE who are fully vaccinated with a WHO recognised vaccine at least 14 days prior to their travel, or present a negative PCR test taken at least 72 hours before departure can enter Switzerland without the need to quarantine. Travellers can also travel back to Vienna with special fares starting from AED2,185 in Economy Class and AED10,895 in Business Class. Emirates currently flies daily to the Austrian capital with its popular flagship A380. Visitors from the UAE will be able to travel to Austria quarantine-free if they have completed a full dose of any of the six WHO-recognised vaccines, with special requirements in place around dates of vaccination. In Germany, UAE customers can enjoy special fares to Munich from AED2,395 in Economy and AED11,015 in Business, and to Frankfurt from AED2,385 in Economy and AED11,055 in Business. Emirates is currently flying its customer favourite A380 to both Frankfurt and Munich. Vaccinated visitors from the UAE are able to enter Germany quarantine-free if they have received a full dose of a European Medical Agency (EMA) approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to their visit. Those wishing to travel to Germany should complete additional forms, which can be found on emirates.com. TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia has suspend entry from Ethiopia, the UAE, Vietnam and Afghanistan, except for non-citizens who stayed 14 days outside those four countries, as well as all the previously announced countries, a report said. An official source of the kingdoms Interior Ministry announced several key decisions have been taken in light of the ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) and the spread of a new mutated strain of the virus, reported Saudi Press Agency (SPA). These include: Banning citizens from travelling directly or indirectly, without obtaining prior permission from the concerned authorities to Ethiopia, the UAE and Vietnam. Suspending citizens' direct or indirect travel to the previously declared countries will continue. Suspending flights with countries where travel is prohibited, with subjecting all those, citizens and others coming from them to institutional quarantine. As for citizens, currently visiting any of those countries, who will return before 11 pm today (July 4) are excluded without any effect regarding the evacuation of violators of residency laws from the Kingdom and related flights. The suspension of flights will take effect from 11 pm today. The Ministry of Interior called upon citizens wishing to travel to the countries which are not banned to be careful, stay away from areas where the virus is spreading, and follow up all precautionary measures, regardless of their destination, the report added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-03 20:33:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Soldiers and medical workers in protective suits are seen at a residential area under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) due to COVID-19 outbreak, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 3, 2021. Malaysia reported another 6,658 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the national total to 772,607, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia reported another 6,658 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the national total to 772,607, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. Another 107 more deaths have been reported, bringing the death toll to 5,434. More than half of the new cases were reported in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the adjacent state of Selangor, Malaysia's economic heartland, where a number of areas are placed under the more restrictive movement control measures for 14 days from Saturday as cases continue to climb. Among the measures are a nightly curfew from 8:00 p.m. local time daily, besides roadblocks being placed to control travel from the areas under restrictions. A nationwide lockdown has been effective in Malaysia since June 1, which bans all economic and social activities except essential services. Defense Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who coordinates the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions in the country, said Saturday that five states would see an easing of restrictive measures following improvement of the situation. The Malaysian government has announced a national recovery plan which will ease the restriction based on several criteria including daily new cases and vaccination rate. The plan targets a full reopening of social and economic activities by the end of the year. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-03 22:19:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TUNIS, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian maritime guard managed to rescue 96 illegal immigrants off the country's southeast coast, while 43 others are still missing, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) agency reported Saturday. "The rescue operation took place off Zarzis coast in the province of Medenine, where units of the maritime guard managed to rescue 96 illegal immigrants from a sinking boat," TAP quoted Mongi Selim, head of the branch of the Tunisian Red Crescent in Medenine, as saying. Selim said 43 other immigrants who were on board a small wooden boat are still missing, adding the rescue operation is still continuing. Attempts of illegal immigration from the Tunisian coasts toward Italy tend to multiply during the summer season because of favorable weather conditions. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 00:42:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Britain has reported another 24,885 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,879,616, according to official figures released Saturday. The country also recorded another 18 coronavirus-related death. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 128,207. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. More than 45.1 million people in Britain have received the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 33.4 million people have received two doses, the official figures showed. The latest data were revealed as the British government is considering revising the quarantine rules as more and more people are vaccinated. Dropping all legal requirements to self-isolate for fully vaccinated people who have come into contact with someone who is infected is being considered by the government "as part of the post-Step 4 world", Sky news reported Saturday. Meanwhile, more than 600,000 positive COVID-19 samples have now been genomically sequenced in Britain by July 2, which provides invaluable data that will support decisions to relax social distancing in the future and help monitor for future variants and infectious disease threats, according to the country's Department of Health and Social Care. Genomic sequencing is laboratory analysis that identifies a virus's genetic make-up, allowing new variants or mutations in existing variants to be detected. Since May 2020, a nationwide study led by the University of Edinburgh as part of the GenOMICC consortium and in partnership with Genomics England has been trying to find out why some people who have had COVID-19 became extremely ill and needed hospitalization while others experienced fewer or no symptoms. To date, over 8,400 people who tested positive with COVID-19 but did not need to go to hospital have volunteered to take part, and the preliminary results of the study have already identified possible new treatments to fight the virus, which are in clinical trials, the department said. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 00:52:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, July 3 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Constitutional Court has spared former President Jacob Zuma's jail for now by accepting his urgent application, scheduling hearing on July 12. "The hearing will take place on a virtual platform. Directions would be issued in due course," said Constitutional Court acting registrar Dunisani Mathiba. Constitutional Court of South Africa on Tuesday sentenced Zuma to 15 months in jail for being in contempt of court. He was given five days to report at the police stations to be taken to prison to start serving his sentence. He made an urgent application to the Constitutional Court to rescind its order. The sentence came after Zuma refused to comply with the order of the court which ordered him to appear and testify at the state capture commission. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 00:57:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The remainder of the condominium in Surfside, Florida, that partially collapsed last week will be demolished as soon as Sunday, a local fire official said Saturday as the death toll from the disaster rose to 24. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told affected families during a morning news conference that the remaining part of the Champlain Towers South would be brought down "as soon as possible. First thing tomorrow." He added that the plan is contingent upon further discussions, as a follow-up meeting will be held in the afternoon to finalize details of the demolition. Also during the briefing, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said two more victims were found in the rubble, bringing the death toll to 24 while there are 124 people who remain unaccounted for. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Tropical Storm Elsa's expected arrival in South Florida has made the demolition of the still-standing part of the building necessary. "If the building is taken down, this will protect our search and rescue teams because we don't know when it could fall over, and of course, with these gusts, potentially, that would create a really severe hazard," he said. DeSantis added that he was told that the demolition could be done within 36 hours, so there would be "minimal work stoppage" for search and rescue teams. Fears that the remainder of the building may tumble prompted a halt of the search and rescue operations for most of Thursday. Elsa was Category 1 hurricane on Friday, but was downgraded to tropical storm late Saturday morning with sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (110 km per hour), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an 11:00 a.m. advisory. It is now battering islands in the Caribbean. The NHC now expects rainfall from Elsa "likely to impact portions of the Florida Keys and southern Florida early next week." "The fear was that the hurricane may take down the building for us, and take it down in the wrong direction, on top of the pile where we have victims," said Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett during the briefing, adding the demolition could be carried out "as early as tomorrow." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 06:59:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An "Every Child Matters" street mural is seen on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on July 3, 2021. The street mural was painted to honor victims and survivors of former indigenous residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 08:20:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO -- Three major wildfires have burned across over 40,000 acres in Northern California, the United States. The Lava Fire in Siskiyou County, starting on June 24, has burned nearly 24,460 acres (about 99 square kilometers) with 24 percent contained as of Saturday and thousands of people had been displaced, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (US-California-Wildfire) - - - - GAZA -- Israeli fighter jets on Saturday night carried out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in response to incendiary balloons launched at southern Israel, according to Palestinian security sources. The sources said that Israeli war jets fired two missiles at a military training post south of Gaza city that belongs to al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement. (Israel-Gaza-Hamas) - - - - BAGHDAD -- Seven electricity workers in Iraq were killed and 11 others wounded during the past ten days in attacks by militants aiming to prevent the government from supplying electricity during the scorching summer, the Iraqi government said on Saturday. The attacks targeted some power plants and the main power transmission lines amid rising temperatures, said a statement by the media office affiliated with the general secretariat for the council of ministers. (Iraq-Attack-Deaths) - - - - JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa's Acting Health Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane on Saturday welcomed the authorization for the use of the CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine in the country. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority on Saturday announced that it had authorized the use of the vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech. (South Africa-Sinovac-Vaccine) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 10:34:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in parts of the country. From 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, heavy rainfall and rainstorms are expected in parts of the provincial-level regions including Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Tibet and Chongqing, according to the center. The center warned that some areas of Jiangsu and Anhui will experience downpours with up to 150 mm of rainfall during the period. Some regions will also see thunderstorms, strong winds and hail, the center said. It advised local authorities to remain alert for possible flooding, landslides and mudslides and recommended halting outdoor operations in hazardous areas. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 11:30:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Li Jizhi BRUSSELS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) respects different cultures and promotes multilateralism, which is very important, President of the European Left Party Heinz Bierbaum said in a recent joint interview with Xinhua and People's Daily. In 2017, Bierbaum first visited China to attend the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, which attracted over 600 representatives from nearly 300 political parties and organizations. Bierbaum said the approach taken by the CPC is based on multilateralism, recognition of different cultures and peaceful cooperation. "I think that's a way international politics should work. That is to say, coming together, discussing the problems, trying to find solutions." China's practice in building socialism with Chinese characteristics has navigated China's struggle to tackle poverty with great success, and envisions a multi-polar world that is not dominated by one single power, Bierbaum said. Moreover, the focus on improving global governance and building a community with a shared future for mankind will have greater impact across the globe, as the world is now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to recover from the economic slump, he said. Unfortunately, there is a trend of stigmatizing China that is ongoing in European politics, he noted, stressing, "I will clearly say that we as the Left are against the stigmatization of China." "We are in favor of collaboration and international relations based on cooperation, and not on confrontation," he added. "I think we are witnessing the birth of a truly multi-polar world and nations are seeking a place in it." The European Left has maintained exchanges with the CPC. One topic that Bierbaum considered important to discuss with the CPC is the social-ecological transformation of industries. China and Europe, as two major markets in the world, have also been leading the global green efforts, and the two sides should strengthen cooperation in this area, said Bierbaum. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 12:37:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. policies in Syria during the more than 10-year-long civil war have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and violated human rights of the Syrian people, Osama Danura, a Syrian political expert, has said. Danura, Ph.D. in political science and a former member of the Syrian government delegation to the Syria peace talks in Geneva, recently told Xinhua that during the Syrian crisis, the U.S. policies had deepened the suffering and plight of the Syrian people. In the early years of the war, U.S. intelligence had facilitated the flow of foreign fighters into Syria to fight alongside rebel groups against the Syrian government and army and destabilize the country, he said. "It's no secret that the U.S. had helped foreign radicals to come to Syria through the Turkish territories ... and later the U.S. and its allies supported the groups that were formed from such radicals," he said. What the United States had done encroached on Syria's national security and dragged the situation into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, Danura said. The U.S. military intervention in Syria in 2014, on the pretext of combating the Islamic State (IS), had caused severe damage and life loss in the country, he said, adding that the U.S. strikes in the northern province of Raqqa resulted in massive destruction to infrastructure and caused countless civilian casualties. The United States' attempts to steal Syrian oil and burn wheat fields have badly impacted local people's revenue and livelihood, he said, adding, "I think these acts amount to war crimes." The worst thing Washington has done is imposing sanctions on Syria, as such moves have largely worsened the situation facing the Syrians, he said. "The sanctions caused the economic crisis, which affected many aspects including the medicine and the bank transactions in a bid to besiege the Syrian people." The sanctions, aimed at pressuring the Syrian people, have hindered the reconstruction progress of Syria, he said. "The U.S. has clearly said it will impose sanctions on any entity that does business in Syria in terms of the reconstruction process, which means that people cannot have their normal lives back anytime soon," he added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 13:50:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HAVANA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) has hosted an official ceremony at Havana's Revolution Palace to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Some 50 Cuban political representatives attended the event on Thursday evening, including Raul Castro, leader of the Cuban socialist revolution, Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the PCC Central Committee and Cuban president, Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of organization and cadre policy of the PCC Central Committee, and Manuel Marrero Cruz, member of the Political Bureau of the PCC Central Committee and Cuban prime minister. The Charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Cuba, Zhang Yiwen, was also present at the celebration. On behalf of the PCC and the Cuban people, Morales extended congratulations to the CPC and the Chinese people, noting that, over the past 100 years, the CPC has accumulated a wealth of experience in the construction of socialism and laid a solid foundation for China's economic and social development. The people-centered philosophy upheld by the CPC has been fully embodied in China's battles against absolute poverty and against the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, expressing the belief that China under the leadership of the CPC will continue to score greater achievements. Addressing the audience, Zhang thanked the PCC for organizing the ceremony, which has shown the brotherly friendship between both parties, governments and peoples, and introduced the struggle and glorious achievements of the CPC in the past century. The traditional friendship between the two parties, countries and peoples has been growing stronger over time, and the China-Cuba relations have withstood tests of the changing international landscape, she said. Zhang also expressed her hope that both countries will further strengthen exchanges of their experience in domestic governance, enhance political mutual trust and learn from each other to promote their socialist construction. At the event, Raul Castro gave a bouquet of congratulations flowers to the Chinese side. The event was broadcast in Cuba via television. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 14:19:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of foreign political parties and governments have been extending warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the remarkable achievements the CPC has made in the past century, and expressed their full confidence that the CPC led by Xi will make greater contributions to world peace and development, as well as to the progress of mankind. The following is an edited summary of some of these messages. Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said that China has made concrete progress in reform and opening-up, attained remarkable achievements, and developed into a major country in the world, expressing expectations of greater contributions by the CPC in promoting peace and prosperity of Asia and the world. Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh and chairman of Bangladesh parliament's standing committee on ministry of social welfare, said that under the leadership of General Secretary Xi, China's fast development and great progress outshines that of Western capitalist countries. Menon noted that Xi, who is not only committed to seeking happiness for the Chinese people but also for the people of the world, has promoted peace and development of humanity. Ahsan Iqbal, secretary general of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said that since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the leadership of General Secretary Xi, the CPC has made remarkable achievements in advancing domestic and foreign affairs, and party building. Xi has shown outstanding ability and extraordinary art in his leadership, he added. Adel Amer, general secretary of the Communist Party of Israel, said that during the past century, the CPC has always been striving for the happiness of the Chinese people, and committed to the sustained improvement of people's wellbeing through the eradication of absolute poverty among other means, to lead the Chinese people towards a better life and forge ahead towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, general secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya of Sri Lanka, said that the CPC is the core of leadership in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the most important body for national governance. Under the leadership of the CPC, China has adopted correct economic and political policies from a global perspective, and is playing an increasingly significant role in international affairs, setting an example for other countries of the world, said Bandara. Afaque Ahmad Khan, general secretary of the Janata Dal (United) Party of India, said that the CPC is the mainstay of China's successful responses to all major challenges, adding that under the leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC, China has achieved economic development achievements far exceeding those of some developed countries. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 14:31:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANTIAGO, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Chile will have access to the new submarine fiber optic cable Mistral, which will stretch to Guatemala and have connection points in Peru and Ecuador later this year. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Florencio Utreras, a researcher at the Mathematical Modeling Center of the University of Chile, explained that a submarine fiber optic cable allows light to be transmitted mainly through laser rays, which are emitted at the ends of communication devices, and which make it possible to transmit encrypted data. Utreras, considered the "father of the Internet in Chile," explained that this cable will take data from San Jose, Guatemala, to Valparaiso in central Chile through the Pacific Ocean, with connection points in Colombia, Peru, and Arica in the north of Chile. The Chilean Undersecretariat of Telecommunications said in a statement in May, when Mistral was launched, that it will be essential for the development of a 5G network and it will have a capacity of 132 Terabytes per second (Tbps), which will improve the connectivity of millions of people in Latin America. Utreras explained that in the past, Internet connections were made possible through satellites, which have limited data transmission capacity compared with fiber optic cables. "This cable between Valparaiso and Guatemala, which has a length of 7,300 kilometers, is one fifth of a single trip to a satellite," he said. "So, when you are communicating today, you do not perceive a delay in general and it is because (the distance) is very small." Eduardo Vera, manager of Innovation and Development at the Mathematical Modeling Center, told Xinhua that currently, submarine cables have "great strategic importance because, first, they have a very large capacity and that capacity can even be increased over time as technology increases." "Connectivity -- I do not need to explain -- is an essential issue. It is the path of the 21st century. And, therefore, with the demand for telecommuting, distance learning, and telemedicine, the only thing it is going to do is grow," he said. "With climate change there have been heavy rains. Sometimes landslides occur in the desert and the (land) cables have been cut. But the truth is that as long as you have an alternative circuit, the traffic can automatically be re-routed." Mistral is a project developed jointly by the telecommunications companies Claro Chile and Telxius and is expected to start operation in the second half of this year. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 16:51:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Screen image taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 4, 2021 shows a Chinese astronaut conducting extravehicular activities (EVAs) out of the space station core module Tianhe. Chinese astronauts have completed extravehicular activities (EVAs) and returned to the space station core module Tianhe, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday. The first EVAs during the construction of the country's space station were a complete success, the CMSA declared. The Shenzhou-12 spaceship crew, after approximately 7 hours of extravehicular activities (EVAs), have completed all the scheduled tasks, and astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo returned to the space station core module at 2:57 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to CMSA. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts have completed extravehicular activities (EVAs) and returned to the space station core module Tianhe, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday. The first EVAs during the construction of the country's space station were a complete success, the CMSA declared. The Shenzhou-12 spaceship crew, after approximately 7 hours of extravehicular activities (EVAs), have completed all the scheduled tasks, and astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo returned to the space station core module at 2:57 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to CMSA. Astronaut Nie Haisheng has been staying inside Tianhe in cooperation with Liu and Tang for their EVAs. This was the second time that Chinese astronauts have performed EVAs after the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008. The scheduled tasks of the EVAs, including equipment installation and panoramic camera lifting, were accomplished with close coordination between space and the ground, as well as between the astronauts inside and outside of the spacecraft. The EVAs tested the performance and function of the new-generation homemade extravehicular mobility units and the coordination between the astronauts and the mechanical arm, as well as the reliability and safety of related EVA supporting equipment. This has laid an important foundation for subsequent EVAs for the space station construction, said the CMSA. The three astronauts on board the Shenzhou-12 spaceship were sent into space and entered Tianhe on June 17 and have since carried out a number of tasks as planned. Currently, they are in good health and will perform EVAs for a second time during their stay in orbit, the CMSA said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 16:52:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has strongly disapproved and firmly opposed the far-fetched allegations in the "2021 Trafficking in Persons Report" released by the U.S. State Department, which vilified the national security law in Hong Kong to smear the efforts and achievements of the HKSAR in combating trafficking in persons. The report ignored the fact, smacked of political bias, and was part of the contemptible scheme to seize every possible chance to demonize the national security law in Hong Kong, a spokesperson of the office said. The spokesperson pointed out that the national security law in Hong Kong targets crimes that gravely endanger national security. It punishes a very small handful of criminals while protecting the vast majority of residents, and in no way impedes the normal exchanges and cooperation between the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong community, including non-governmental organizations. The United States has a notorious record for trafficking in persons, where forced labor and human trafficking cases abound, the spokesperson said. But instead of reflecting upon itself, the United States has been busy pointing fingers and dictating at others, and has even distorted the truth with trumped-up charges in order to serve its ulterior political agenda, the spokesperson said, noting that it is outright hypocrisy and shamelessness. The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, which no external force shall meddle with. The spokesperson urged the U.S. side to get its place right, manage its own affairs well, immediately stop malicious vilification of the national security law in Hong Kong, and stop the boring performance of discrediting the HKSAR government in whatever form and on whatever pretext. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 18:00:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Three Chinese astronauts have completed all tasks for their first extravehicular activities in space. Two of the three-man crew of China's Shenzhou-12 mission stepped out of Tianhe core module of China's space station on Sunday Beijing Time, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Liu Boming opened the hatch of Tianhe's node cabin at 8:11 a.m., the CMSA said. Donning new-generation homemade EMU (extravehicular mobility unit) spacesuits Feitian, meaning flying to space, the two astronauts completed installing the foot restraints and extravehicular working platform on the mechanical arm, the CMSA said. They have also finished lifting the panoramic camera by 12:09 p.m., the agency said. They then continued to work together to install other relevant extravehicular equipment with the aid of the mechanical arm, it said. After around 7 hours of maneuvers, the two astronauts returned to the Tianhe core module in the afternoon Sunday Beijing Time. Astronaut Nie Haisheng has been staying inside Tianhe in cooperation with Liu and Tang for their EVAs. The three astronauts were sent into space aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship on June 17. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 18:09:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) respects different cultures and promotes multilateralism, which is very important, President of the European Left Party Heinz Bierbaum said in a recent joint interview with Xinhua and People's Daily. In 2017, Bierbaum first visited China to attend the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, which attracted over 600 representatives from nearly 300 political parties and organizations. Bierbaum said the approach taken by the CPC is based on multilateralism, recognition of different cultures and peaceful cooperation. "I think that's a way international politics should work. That is to say, coming together, discussing the problems, trying to find solutions." China's practice in building socialism with Chinese characteristics has navigated China's struggle to tackle poverty with great success, and envisions a multi-polar world that is not dominated by one single power, Bierbaum said. Moreover, the focus on improving global governance and building a community with a shared future for mankind will have greater impact across the globe, as the world is now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to recover from the economic slump, he said. Unfortunately, there is a trend of stigmatizing China that is ongoing in European politics, he noted, stressing, "I will clearly say that we as the Left are against the stigmatization of China." "We are in favor of collaboration and international relations based on cooperation, and not on confrontation," he added. "I think we are witnessing the birth of a truly multi-polar world and nations are seeking a place in it." The European Left has maintained exchanges with the CPC. One topic that Bierbaum considered important to discuss with the CPC is the social-ecological transformation of industries. China and Europe, as two major markets in the world, have also been leading the global green efforts, and the two sides should strengthen cooperation in this area, said Bierbaum. (Video reporters: Zhang Xuan and Li Jizhi; video editor: Zhao Xiaoqing) Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 18:36:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Saturday said that more than 240 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya by the Libyan Coast Guard. "Over 120 persons returned to Tripoli just now after being rescued/intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guards. UNHCR and partner IRC were on the ground and provided medical care and humanitarian aid," the UNHCR tweeted. "Additional 121 were also returned to Libya yesterday night," the UNHCR said. The North African country has been mired in insecurity and turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising killed the country's long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making it a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores. According to the International Organization for Migration, nearly 15,000 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya so far this year. The rescued migrants have ended up in overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 19:29:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BANGKOK, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A new batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Sunday, giving support to the Southeast Asian country's battle against its worst wave of outbreak of the pandemic so far. The Chinese Embassy to Thailand confirmed the new arrival of the vaccines in a Facebook post, saying that the shipment was the 14th batch of vaccines that China has provided for Thailand to help fight the virus. The vaccines came as Thailand is struggling to contain a months-long surge in infections. The country on Sunday reported 5,916 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 283,067 from less than 30,000 in early April. The cumulative deaths climbed to 2,226, with 44 more fatalities reported on Sunday, according to the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration, the country's COVID-19 task force. Thailand aims to vaccinate about 70 percent of its people by the end of the year. As of Saturday, it had administered more than 10.67 million doses of vaccines since the national inoculation program began in February. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 19:41:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ATHENS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Four decades after the introduction of aquaculture in Greece, the country is now a market leader in fish farming in the European Union (EU) and is actively exploring opportunities to sell its fishery products in China, Yannis Pelekanakis, European affairs manager of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO), has said. "In terms of total aquaculture production (mussels and fish), Greece ranks fourth in the EU by volume and second by value," Pelekanakis told Xinhua in a recent interview, citing figures published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). "When it comes to fish farming -- mainly (sea) bass and (sea) bream -- Greece ranks first in both volume and value terms, since it accounts for about 60 percent of all bass and bream produced in the EU," he said. Fish farming is one of the main aquaculture activities in Greece. Currently there are 60-odd companies, mainly family-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), throughout the country operating some 300 fish farms, he explained. In recent years, 110,000-120,000 tonnes of bass and bream have been produced in Greece annually. Last year, despite the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, production reached 120,000 tonnes, valued at 545 million euros (648 million U.S. dollars), and these figures are expected to rise in the coming years. HAPO's expectation is to reach 170,000 tonnes by the end of 2030, Pelekanakis said. Established in 2016, HAPO currently counts 23 members, whose production represents about 85 percent of Greece's total fish farming output. Among the organization's main objectives is the establishment and promotion of the national identity for Greek aquaculture products based on their excellent quality and competitive advantages, he noted. Greece's bass and bream producers sell mainly in the EU, but also in the U.S., the Middle East and Asia. "Annually, almost 80 percent of our production is exported to 42 countries and the remaining 20 percent is sold in Greece. In 2020, we exported about 92,000 tonnes of bass and bream valued at around 462 million euros," Pelekanakis said. Greek seafood suppliers are ready to explore the prospects of increasing their sales in China. Currently, they sell only small quantities of sea bream there. They pay much attention to China, as it is a dominant player, producer, consumer and trader of fishery products, Pelekanakis said. "It is a huge market, and we believe that there is an opportunity that we would like to explore," he said. (1 euro = 1.19 U.S. dollars) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 19:52:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A burned house is seen at Melini village in Limassol district, Cyprus, July 4, 2021. Four people were killed in a mammoth forest fire which has been raging for almost 24 hours in a mountainous area of Cyprus, police said on Sunday. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua) NICOSIA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed in a mammoth forest fire which has been raging for almost 24 hours in a mountainous area of Cyprus, police said on Sunday. Charalambos Alexandrou, director of the Department of Forests, said the fire was the worst ever in the history of Cyprus. The police said that the victims were four Egyptian nationals, aged 25 to 30, who were working as agricultural workers at Odou village. The fast moving fire, which was fanned by strong winds over an area of at least 55 square km within two hours, has affected 10 mountain communities north-east of the port city of Limassol. Alexandrou said that the blaze was brought under control following all-night efforts by hundreds of firefighters and firefighting aircraft operating non-stop since early morning. He added that efforts were currently focused on preventing the blaze from crossing over into the thick pine forest of Machairas, on one of the highest peaks of the central Troodos massif. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said after touring some of the affected communities that the fire "was the biggest tragedy to hit Cyprus" since 1974. He promised that the state will stand by the people who suffered damage. Provisional reports said that several houses have been burned down, while damage to cultivations was huge. Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said Cyprus was experiencing the most devastating fire in its 61 years as an independent state in terms of property damage and loss of human lives. Firefighting planes from Israel, Greece and Italy were dispatched to Cyprus to help put out pockets of fire as there are still risks that the flames might be strengthened by strong winds. The European Commission said that it has activated an emergency plan upon a Cypriot request, including the re-orientation of Copernicus satellite so as to provide damage assessment maps and information on the fire. Police said they have arrested a 67-year old man on suspicion of starting the fire while burning tree branches and dry grass in his field. A court remanded the man in custody for eight days pending further investigations. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:06:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- In his home village of Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province, late Chairman Mao Zedong led the establishment of one of the earliest branches of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the country's rural areas. -- The once secluded, outlying small village has now turned into a bustling town and is a perfect witness of how the CPC has led the development of the nation and changed people's lives. File photo taken on July 6, 2019 shows the former residence of late Chairman Mao Zedong in Shaoshan Village, central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Mo Zhengde/Xinhua) by Xinhua writers Ma Yujie, Ding Xiguo and Zhang Dan CHANGSHA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The former residence of late Chairman Mao Zedong in his home village of Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province, receives more than 10,000 visitors every day. It was also in the attic of this concave building that Mao Zedong, who aspired to find a path to save the nation, led the establishment of one of the earliest branches of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the country's rural areas. The once secluded, outlying small village has now turned into a bustling town and is a perfect witness of how the CPC has led the development of the nation and changed people's lives. Mao Zedong was born in 1893 in Shaoshan Village and stayed there until leaving his hometown for the first time at the age of 17. At the time, there was a huge wealth gap in Shaoshan Village. Poor farmers and farmhands accounted for 71 percent of the population but only owned 5.8 percent of the land. He once told American journalist Edgar Snow that a revolt started by famine refugees which was brutally suppressed in Changsha in 1910 "had a lifelong influence" on him. Mao Zedong said that he felt deeply aggrieved at the injustice that the starving people had suffered. Mao Zedong was one of the early members of the CPC. In 1925, Mao Zedong came back to Shaoshan. In mid-June of the year, four villagers swore to join the Party in a ceremony presided over by Mao Zedong in his attic, and the Shaoshan Party branch was officially established. This was the first rural grassroots Party organization established by Mao Zedong. Undated file photo shows the homestay run by Mao Hailong in Shaoshan Village, Shaoshan City of central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua) Mao Yushi, 76, who was the 24th Party branch secretary of Shaoshan Village, has witnessed the great changes in his hometown. Since the middle of the 20th century, the Party branch of Shaoshan has organized various activities including the one that aims to increase the literacy of local villagers, and mobilized farmers to build water diversion canals and reservoirs to ensure stable yields from farmland. In the early 1980s, Shaoshan began to put into practice the household contract responsibility system, which significantly raised grain output. With the rise of red tourism, which refers to visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy, tourism in Shaoshan boomed and became a pillar industry that has helped many locals get rid of poverty. Mao Hailong, 41, opened a homestay in 2019 which brought the family an income of 1.8 million yuan (about 278,460 U.S. dollars) the same year. According to Mao Hailong, the Party and the government helped his father run a restaurant over three decades ago and he also enjoyed support from the government in running his homestay. The local government even offered subsidies to encourage villagers to transform their dwellings into well-decorated homestays. Shaoshan Village, which is home to 1,355 households, now has 36 homestays and over 80 restaurants. About 70 percent of local villagers are involved in tourism industry. "Our well-off life today has been earned through the efforts of several generations," said Mao Yushi. The total annual collective income of the village has reached 11 million yuan. The money is used for purchasing health insurance for all villagers, giving pensions to people aged 60 or above, rewarding students admitted to the college and helping those in need. Tang Ruiren draws a picture in Shaoshan Village, central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Tang Ruiren joined the Party at the age of 84 in 2014, which drew a lot of attention. The former mendicant now runs a restaurant chain with over 300 franchisees. She has also sponsored and helped more than 2,000 dropouts return to school. The number of Party members in Shaoshan Village has increased to 219. "Our common goal is to make sure that every one here leads a good life," said Mao Chunshan, who took over the post of village Party chief from Mao Yushi in 2017. (Intern Fang Anran contributed to the story; Video reporter: Du Rui, Yao Yu, Fan Junwei, Cheng Ji'an; Video editor: Zhao Xiaoqing) Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:15:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Herdsman Sonam Tsering poses for a photo with his grandson at a mountainous rural village in Gangcha County of Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, June 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Gang) China has been the most successful in the eradication of poverty, an economist has said. HONG KONG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) is one of the few political parties in the world that has stood the test of time and delivered what the people want, an economist has said. Not only has the party helped transform China into a moderately prosperous society, but it has also delivered public goods -- from raising the literacy rate to boosting life expectancy, Lawrence Lau, Ralph and Claire Landau Professor of Economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said Thursday in an opinion article in the South China Morning Post. Lau said the party has successfully solved the problems of feeding China's large population and keeping people adequately clothed. China has been the most successful in the eradication of poverty, Lau said. Life expectancy, which was only 35 years in 1949, and 67.8 years in 1981, grew to 77.3 years in 2019, Lau said. Lau also said China's economic development is a truly remarkable achievement over a long period of time, and he attributed this success to the long time horizon of the Chinese economic policymakers and the single-minded focus on economic growth. Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:18:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Screen image taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 4, 2021 shows Chinese astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo conducting extravehicular activities (EVAs) out of the space station core module Tianhe. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts have completed extravehicular activities (EVAs) and returned to the space station core module Tianhe, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday. The first EVAs during the construction of the country's space station were a complete success, the CMSA declared. The Shenzhou-12 spaceship crew, after approximately 7 hours of extravehicular activities (EVAs), have completed all the scheduled tasks, and astronauts Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo returned to the space station core module at 2:57 p.m. (Beijing Time), according to the CMSA. Astronaut Nie Haisheng has been staying inside Tianhe in cooperation with Liu and Tang for their EVAs. Screen image taken at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 4, 2021 shows Chinese astronaut Nie Haisheng staying inside Tianhe in cooperation with Liu and Tang for their EVAs. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) This was the second time that Chinese astronauts have performed EVAs after the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008. The scheduled tasks of the EVAs, including equipment installation and panoramic camera lifting, were accomplished with close coordination between space and the ground, as well as between the astronauts inside and outside of the spacecraft. The EVAs tested the performance and function of the new-generation homemade extravehicular mobility units and the coordination between the astronauts and the mechanical arm, as well as the reliability and safety of related EVA supporting equipment. This has laid an important foundation for subsequent EVAs for the space station construction, said the CMSA. The three astronauts on board the Shenzhou-12 spaceship were sent into space and entered Tianhe on June 17 and have since carried out a number of tasks as planned. Currently, they are in good health and will perform EVAs for a second time during their stay in orbit, the CMSA said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:24:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Five members of Yemen's pro-government forces were killed when an explosion targeted their military base in the country's southern province of Abyan on Sunday, a military official told Xinhua. The local military source said on condition of anonymity that "an explosion struck the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Army Brigade that's located in Abyan's district of Mudiyah." He said that the explosion killed five soldiers and injured more than 40 others at the scene. The source clarified that "the explosion that might be caused by external bombardment struck the military base while the soldiers were gathering to perform their noon prayers." Pro-government military experts began investigating the nature of the explosion and its main causes, according to the official. No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion at the pro-government military base. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:44:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. - - - - JAKARTA -- The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 27,233 within one day to 2,284,084 overall, with the death toll adding by 555 to 60,582, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. According to the ministry, 13,127 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 1,928,274. - - - - MOSCOW -- Russia logged 25,142 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 5,610,941, the official monitoring and response center said Sunday. The center reported a new record of 663 coronavirus-related fatalities in the past day, raising the national death toll to 137,925, while the number of recoveries grew by 15,484 to 5,068,901. - - - - BANGKOK -- A new batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the Thai capital of Bangkok on Sunday, giving support to the Southeast Asian country's battle against its worst wave of outbreak of the pandemic so far. The Chinese Embassy to Thailand confirmed the new arrival of the vaccines in a Facebook post, saying that the shipment was the 14th batch of vaccines that China has provided for Thailand to help fight the virus. - - - - ADDIS ABABA -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa reached 5,637,941 as of Sunday noon, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said the death toll from the pandemic stands at 145,742 while 4,899,495 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease. - - - - MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday 5,966 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,436,369. The death toll climbed to 25,149 after 86 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:44:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed his deep concern over the situation in Ethiopia's Tigray. "I'm deeply concerned with the present situation in Tigray," said the top UN official. "It is essential to have a real ceasefire paving the way for a dialogue able to bring a political solution to Tigray," he added. - - - - SARAJEVO -- China's approach is a right way towards building trust between states, nations and their representatives, said Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in a recent interview with Xinhua. Unlike Western countries' relations with BiH, China's help and partnership has never attached any political strings, Dodik said, noting that "China is a good partner, who has also helped us a lot in a humanitarian way, without ever conditioning it with political demands." - - - - TEHRAN -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized on Saturday the lack of apology from the U.S. government for more than three decades for downing an Iranian airliner in 1988, official news agency IRNA reported. "The U.S. government has to know that it committed a very big crime in the Gulf in 1988," Rouhani said in a meeting. - - - - ATHENS -- Four decades after the introduction of aquaculture in Greece, the country is now a market leader in fish farming in the European Union (EU) and is actively exploring opportunities to sell its fishery products in China, Yannis Pelekanakis, European affairs manager of the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO), has said. "In terms of total aquaculture production (mussels and fish), Greece ranks fourth in the EU by volume and second by value," Pelekanakis told Xinhua in a recent interview, citing figures published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 21:14:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- July 1, 2021 is a date that will go down in history. As the Communist Party of China (CPC) marked its centenary, China was declared to have reached a milestone development goal. Atop Tian'anmen Rostrum, President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announced that China has achieved building a moderately prosperous society, or Xiaokang, in all respects. In the traditional Confucian sense, Xiaokang describes a state whereby, although there is imperfection, everyone is adequately provided for. It was reintroduced into political discourse in the 1970s, and the CPC has since led efforts to turn this concept into reality. Over the past eight years, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core oversaw the final push that transformed China into a Xiaokang society in all respects. PICK UP THE BATON Building a prosperous society has been the Chinese people's common aspiration for millennia. In the early years of China's reform and opening up, the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping first used Xiaokang to describe Chinese modernization, and proposed building a Xiaokang society. After the Chinese people no longer had to worry about feeding and clothing themselves and saw their lives generally improve, the Party laid out plans to further build China into a Xiaokang society "in all respects." At the 18th CPC National Congress in November 2012, the Party announced that China had entered a decisive stage of attaining this goal. Soon afterward, Xi was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. "By the time the CPC marks its centenary, a moderately prosperous society in all respects can definitely be achieved," Xi said when visiting an exhibition in the National Museum of China, after taking over the helm of the Party. The theme of the exhibition was "Road to Rejuvenation." Xi said achieving the Xiaokang goal on time represents "a solemn promise that our Party has made to the Chinese people and to history." He often told cadres that "time and history wait for no one" and urged them to go all out. He also set the standards and made specific requirements for achieving the goal. For a Xiaokang society, all aspects of modernization, including the economic, political, cultural, social and ecological domains, should be developed in a coordinated fashion, Xi said. It needs to cover all domains, the entire population and all regions, he added. A long-term view must be adopted, he said, adding that it is not a "game of numbers" or a "game of speed." Led by Xi, the Party has played a pivotal role in the pursuit of the Xiaokang goal. Party secretaries throughout the ranks assumed the responsibility of poverty relief. Work teams and cadres were sent to the countryside to fight poverty on the front lines. The Party also played a key part in all key spheres concerning Xiaokang, such as finance, cyberspace and national security. BRING BENEFITS TO ALL PEOPLE Xi made eradicating rural poverty the basic mission and symbolic benchmark of achieving the Xiaokang goal. When he took over the Party's top job, China still had a large number of rural people living under the poverty line. Xi took charge of directing the national fight against poverty, put forward the "targeted poverty alleviation" strategy, and personally visited all 14 contiguous poor areas across the country. He presided over seven key central-level poverty relief symposiums and made over 50 trips to check problems and progress on the ground. "Not a single ethnic group, family or individual should be left behind," Xi said. Efforts have paid off. In February 2021, Xi declared that China had eliminated absolute poverty, lifting all the remaining 98.99 million rural poor out of poverty. But Xiaokang is not all about income. A good life calls for a good environment. Since 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core has given greater priority to ecological advancement, and waged a war on pollution with a scale and ferocity never seen before. In his domestic inspections, Xi would visit mountains, rivers, lakes, wetlands and grasslands to ensure that all parts of the natural environment are well protected. For example, since 2016, he has visited the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, convened three symposiums and repeatedly stressed putting ecological restoration before development for regions along the Yangtze. Eleven provinces and municipalities have since carried out overhauls in the past five years, leading to a comprehensive makeover of the river basin's ecology. Significant progress has been made in other areas as well. In 2020, 87 percent of all days across 337 major cities saw good air quality readings, while the proportion of surface water with fairly good quality reached 83.4 percent, up from 66 percent five years ago. Xi also concerned himself with many other factors affecting the lives of the people: rural toilet renovation, urban garbage sorting, food security, affordable medicines, equal public services for urban and rural residents, the right amount of homework and tutoring for students. He devised plans and pushed through reforms to bring more benefits to the people in delivering on the Xiaokang goal. LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR MODERNIZATION Building a Xiaokang society in all respects represents an intermediate step in China's pursuit of modernization. Xi said "in all aspects" is what makes the goal much more difficult to achieve. Culture, public health, rule of law and science are all part of it. He led the formulation of policies and initiated reforms to let cultural activities blossom, promote fairness and justice, and construct a strong public health system. He also led reforms to increase the country's urbanization rate to over 60 percent and build unified basic health insurance and pension systems that cover both urban and rural residents, among other moves to close the urban-rural gap. Xi has encouraged farmers to grow distinctive rural industries and use online platforms to market their products. "There will always be some hundred million rural people. We can't have prosperous cities on one hand and dilapidated countryside on the other," he said. Under Xi's watch, China has made major breakthroughs in science and technology, in the fields of quantum communication, artificial intelligence, 5G and high-speed trains. Innovation has become a key driving force for high-quality development. The economic transformation and upgrading have also sped up, with emerging new industries, new business forms and new models. China is also opening up wider. It has expanded pilot free trade zones, accelerated the building of the Hainan free trade port, and hosted a series of events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo. The country has seen thriving economic and trade exchanges with Belt and Road countries. A Xiaokang China is one that is innovative, full of vigor, beautiful and open. Looking ahead, the Chinese people are marching in confident strides toward building a great modern socialist China and achieving national rejuvenation. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 23:29:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of foreign political parties and governments have been extending warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the remarkable achievements and important contributions to the world the CPC has made in the past century, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, and expressed their full confidence that the CPC will make greater achievements. The following is an edited summary of some of these messages. Leader of the Barbados Labour Party and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley noted that a political party with a glorious history of 100 years is worthy of admiration and high praise, and the CPC has greatly improved the lives of the Chinese people, which should be learned from by other countries. Puan Maharani, chair of the Political and Security Affairs of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, also speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, said that under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CPC will continue to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the Chinese people. She expressed hope that the two countries will continue to deepen the friendly cooperation and better benefit the people of the two countries and the region. Ishwar Pokhrel, general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) and former deputy prime minister of Nepal, said that Nepal and China are good neighbors, friends, and partners of mutual trust, adding that for a long time, his party has maintained close and constructive exchanges with the CPC, and mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides have been deepening. Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, president of Democratic Left Alliance and deputy speaker of the Polish lower house of parliament, noted that General Secretary Xi Jinping has led China to demonstrate outstanding leadership in upholding social fairness, justice, and long-term stability and solving global challenges, and is committed to building a better world of development, peace and happiness. Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and foreign minister of Sri Lanka, said that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics provide reference and wisdom for promoting Sri Lanka's socio-economic growth. Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Komeito of Japan, hailed the CPC as rare and admirable for its long history against the background of the turbulent international situation and wished the CPC greater achievements in the future. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 23:31:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA -- The death toll in the military plane crash that took place in the southern Philippines before noon on Sunday has risen to 45, the Philippine defense department said. As of 8:40 p.m. local time, 42 soldiers and three civilians perished after the military plane carrying army personnel crashed and burst into flames upon landing on Jolo island in Sulu province, the Department of National Defense said. (Philippines-Plane Crash-Toll) - - - - MAPUTO -- At least 32 people were killed and dozens more were injured in a road accident on Saturday night in Maputo Province, southern Mozambique, Radio Mozambique (RM) reported on Sunday. The crash, involving one cargo truck and a bus, took place on national EN1 road at the Maluana administrative post in the district of Manhica, which is about 80 kilometers away from the capital city Maputo, the report quoted the Administrator of Manhica Cristina Mafumo as saying. (Mozambique-Car Crash) - - - - ADEN, Yemen -- Five members of Yemen's pro-government forces were killed when an explosion targeted their military base in the country's southern province of Abyan on Sunday, a military official told Xinhua. The local military source said on condition of anonymity that "an explosion struck the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Army Brigade that's located in Abyan's district of Mudiyah." (Yemen-Explosion-Military Base) - - - - TRIPOLI -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Saturday said that more than 240 illegal migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya by the Libyan Coast Guard. "Over 120 persons returned to Tripoli just now after being rescued/intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guards. UNHCR and partner IRC were on the ground and provided medical care and humanitarian aid," the UNHCR tweeted. (Libya-Migrants-UNHCR) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-05 00:12:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's COVID-19 tally rose to 534,550 on Sunday as 605 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours. The country's coronavirus death toll rose by four to 9,319, while 246 people were in intensive care units, said a statement by the Moroccan Ministry of Health. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 519,696 after 557 new ones were added, the statement said. Meanwhile, 10,067,573 people have received so far the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country, with 9,162,460 having received the second dose. The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-05 00:28:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIYUAN, July 4 (Xinhua) -- In a coal mine 500 meters underground, Chen Jianlong holds a 5G mobile phone, opens an app and taps the screen to hail a vehicle. In less than a minute, a rubber-tyred vehicle approached. "In the past, workers had to call for vehicles through wired telephones and wait for word from the ground," said Chen, a technician with Tashan Coal Mine, located in the city of Datong, north China's Shanxi Province. The introduction of the 5G network in this coal mine has changed things, with services allowing for one-click vehicle hailing, intelligent patrolling by robots and smooth video calls with ground staff. As one of the first pilot smart coal mines in China, Tashan Coal Mine widely utilizes 5G technology and has realized 24-hour supervision. "Technology has changed the traditional way of development, and the future of coal mines is green and efficient," Chen said. Shanxi is one of China's coal-rich provinces. In recent years, the province has continued to deepen the supply-side structural reform of the energy industry. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), it eliminated 157 million tonnes of excess coal production capacity, and 55 coal mines in the province have adopted green mining practices. At present, 5G technology has been implemented in six coal mines in Shanxi, including Tashan, Xinyuan and Pangpangta, reducing work intensity, and improving safety and production. Meanwhile, a number of leading scientific research institutes are on the rise in Shanxi. For example, a national laboratory is under construction to realize the green utilization of coal, in addition to eight new research institutes. Together with its success in the coal sector, Shanxi is speeding up development in clean energy and new energy, such as photovoltaic and wind power. By the end of 2020, the province's installed power generation capacity exceeded 100 million kilowatts, with new energy accounting for more than 30 percent. In the first quarter of 2021, Shanxi exported 560 million yuan (about 86.5 million U.S. dollars) worth of solar cells, up 274.9 percent from the same period last year, Taiyuan customs data showed. At the headquarters of Dayun Automobile in southern Shanxi, a row of pure-electric cars have just come off the production line, with various configurations and different colors. More than 30 years ago, the company focused primarily on motorcycles. According to Yuan Qinshan, chairman of Dayun Group, the company has obtained more than 1,600 patents. Its production base in Yuncheng Economic and Technological Development Zone has an annual production capacity of 20,000 pure-electric light buses and 100,000 multi-purpose passenger cars. "New energy vehicles are green, environmentally friendly and low-carbon. It will be a trend in the development of the automobile industry in the future," Yuan said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-05 02:18:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Amman, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The European Investment Bank (EIB) said on Sunday that it provided 100 million euros (119 million U.S. dollars) as a line of credit to support the private sector in Jordan against the impact of COVID-19, state-run Petra news agency reported. The sum was offered to Jordan Kuwait Bank that will on-lend it to the country's small and medium-sized enterprises that have been severely impacted by the unprecedented crisis, EIB said. Flavia Palanza, director of Neighbouring Countries Department of the EIB, said it is one of the EIB's top priorities to support the resilience of the private sector by providing funding through cooperation with the Jordanian banking sector and the support of the European Union. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-05 02:34:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KHARTOUM, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Sunday urged all conflicting parties in Ethiopia's Tigray Region to stop fighting and sit to the negotiating table. A high-level meeting held in Sudan's capital Khartoum expressed deep concern that the developments in Ethiopia may lead to negative impact on the regional stability, particularly the neighboring countries, Sudan's Sovereign Council said in a statement. The future of Ethiopia is determined by Ethiopians and "judging by neighboring relations and interests, Sudan will spare no effort to work with all the parties in Ethiopia to reach a consensus that enhances the unity of Ethiopia," the statement added. Fighting erupted in early November last year in Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray Region between the Tigray People's Liberation Front, which used to rule the regional state, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces. Tensions renewed in Tigray Region on the border with Sudan after the rebels managed to restore control over the region's capital city of Mekelle last week. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-05 05:28:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT -- The Moroccan navy rescued during the last 48 hours 244 Spain-bound migrants, official news agency MAP reported on Sunday. The migrants, including women and minors, are mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, said the agency quoting a military statement. (Moroccan-Rescue-Migrants) ---- JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday that about 100,000 teenagers have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. "Last week we called on young people aged 12-16 to go get vaccinated and I am pleased to announce that 100,000 young people of these ages have already been inoculated with the first injection," Bennett said during his weekly cabinet meeting. (Israel-Teenagers-COVID19 Vaccination) ---- KHARTOUM -- Sudan on Sunday urged all conflicting parties in Ethiopia's Tigray Region to stop fighting and sit to the negotiating table. A high-level meeting held in Sudan's capital Khartoum expressed deep concern that the developments in Ethiopia may lead to negative impact on the regional stability, particularly the neighboring countries, Sudan's Sovereign Council said in a statement. (Sudan-Tigray-Negotiation) ---- RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia approved on Sunday the security plan for 2021 Hajj season that takes into account precautions against COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. According to the plan issued by the Saudi interior ministry that aims to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, a fine of 10,000 Saudi Riyals (2,666 U.S. dollars) will be imposed on anyone who attempts to enter the ritual sites without permission. (Saudi Arabia-Hajj-Security Plan) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 10:57:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, July 3 (Xinhua) -- At least seven persons were killed in separate gunmen attacks on communities in northwestern Nigeria's Kaduna state, an official said on Saturday. Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Chikun, Kajuru and Giwa areas of Kaduna since Friday, killing civilians, said Samuel Aruwan, the state's commissioner for internal security and home affairs. "We have lost about seven citizens," Aruwan told reporters in Kajuru area during a visit to affected communities on Saturday. Among the victims were four persons who were kidnapped and shot to death by the gunmen in Chikun area on Friday, he said, adding that another person was killed in Giwa area on the same day. Aruwan said the state government got a distress call in the early hours of Saturday from a community in Kajuru area where two persons were killed by gunmen. Security agencies are investigating the attacks, he said. There have been a series of gunmen attacks in Nigeria in recent months, leading to deaths and kidnappings. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 22:20:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MAPUTO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 people were killed and dozens more were injured in a road accident on Saturday night in Maputo Province, southern Mozambique, Radio Mozambique (RM) reported on Sunday. The crash, involving one cargo truck and a bus, took place on national EN1 road at the Maluana administrative post in the district of Manhica, which is about 80 kilometers away from the capital city Maputo, the report quoted the Administrator of Manhica Cristina Mafumo as saying. "The driver of the bus, who survived, made an irregular overtaking at high speed and could not control his vehicle, (which ended up) colliding with other cars," Mafumo told RM. Thirty-one people, including a two-year-old child, died on the spot and the road was awash with blood. The 32nd victim, a 38-year-old female, lost her life at the Manhica District Hospital, where the wounded were taken to, among whom several are still in critical condition, says the report. Following the accident, the Police Commander-General Bernardino Rafael went to the scene on Sunday morning, accompanied by the Governor of Maputo Province Julio Jose Parruque, where they seek to find out what happened, according to the report. Rafael lamented the loss of so many lives and said that it is necessary to consider the banning of the transport company Nhacale, which the passenger bus belongs to and had already been suspended once in 2017, the report says. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 22:22:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has seen a remarkable reduction in the number of new COVID-19 cases in the past week compared to the previous week, its health ministry said on Sunday. Kennedy Malama, Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services in the Ministry of Health, said a comparative analysis of the last two weeks shows a reduction in the overall number of new cases from 19,535 to 15,714. "Similarly, our overall positivity for the week dropped slightly from 26 percent to 24 percent. It is, however, too early to tell as yet if the worst is behind us," he said. He further said the country saw some reduction in daily admissions and deaths but noted that the ministry was committed to ensuring that this continued. According to him, there was a need to address the root causes of the pandemic by taking the fight to the community. He further announced that the country will be receiving 228,000 additional doses of AstraZeneca on July 5. He thanked the COVAX Facility for the support in the acquisition of the first batch of vaccines for the vaccination program. Meanwhile, the country recorded 1,795 new cases in the last 24 hours out of 7,531 tests done. This brings the cumulative cases to 164,282 while 2,248 patients were discharged, bringing the total recoveries to 143,128. The country however lost 46 people, bringing the total deaths to 2,443. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 14:01:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported 2,520 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, raising its national caseload to 125,260, the country's health ministry said Sunday. The ministry said that a total of 8,834 samples were tested across Mongolia in the past day. One of the latest confirmed cases was imported from abroad, and the remaining ones were local infections. In the past day, 10 patients died from the virus, pushing the death toll to 641, while the number of recoveries grew by 1,886 to 84,819, said the ministry. The Asian country launched a national vaccination campaign in late February, aiming to vaccinate at least 60 percent of its population of 3.3 million. So far, more than 1,759,600 Mongolians have been fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 14:18:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People transfer an injured child at a local hospital in Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman province, Afghanistan, July 3, 2021. Three civilians and 24 Taliban militants were killed and 30 civilians and 25 militants injured in two eastern Afghan provinces as fighting rages in the Asian country, the Afghan Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Three civilians and 24 Taliban militants were killed and 30 civilians and 25 militants injured in two eastern Afghan provinces as fighting rages in the Asian country, the Afghan Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday. In Laghman province, nine militants were killed and 17 wounded after Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) targeted their position in Alishing district Saturday night, the ministry said in a statement. On Saturday afternoon, three civilians were killed and 30 others wounded during fierce battles between Taliban and the security forces in Omarzai, a locality near Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman, according to the director of provincial hospital Abdul Maruf. In the neighboring Nangarhar province, 15 Taliban militants were killed and eight wounded after the Afghan Air Force targeted a Taliban hideout in suburban Hisarak district on Saturday, the ministry of defense statement added. The security forces also found and defused four landmines in Nangarhar, the statement said. While the U.S. and NATO troops have been leaving the country, violence in the country is on the rise. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 19:18:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The office assistant of provincial governor and one of his protectors were killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Sunday, a deputy spokesperson of Interior Ministry confirmed. Secretary Mansoor Ahmad and his bodyguard were killed and one bodyguard was wounded when a sticky improvised bomb attached to the vehicle detonated outside the provincial government office building at mid-day, deputy spokesperson Ahmad Zia Zia told Xinhua. The vehicle was destroyed and an investigation is still on, he said. The provincial officials regarded the killing as a targeted attack by the Taliban militants. The Taliban has conducted scores of targeted attacks against civilians and military officials in recent years. The armed outfit considers anyone working for government as target. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 20:16:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HERAT, Afghanistan, July 4 (Xinhua) -- An annual domestic industries and products exhibition kicked off on Sunday in Afghanistan's western province of Herat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced. Themed "Peace and Self-Sufficiency," this year's expo aims to support Afghanistan's private sector and boost the marketing for domestic products as well as deepening trade cooperation, the ministry said in a statement. "The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) members are at the first line of war against insurgency when the private sector and the industrialists are at the second line for self-sufficiency," Minister of Industry and Commerce Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani was quoted in the statement as saying. A variety of domestic products are being displayed in 200 booths at the exhibition held in Herat city, the provincial capital, 640 km west of the national capital Kabul. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 12:44:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Portugal will accelerate the immunization campaign against COVID-19 to curb the rapid spread of the Delta variant, vice-admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Portuguese vaccination coordinator, said Saturday. The goal is to vaccinate "about 850,000 people a week" using the "maximum stocks of vaccine" available, Gouveia e Melo told the Portuguese news agency Lusa. "We are in a war against the virus, and we are going to give as much as we can to advance the vaccination process, taking it to the limit." "We are at a rate of 100,000 (vaccinations) a day, but we are still going to increase that rate, and we are going to deplete all our vaccine stocks, eventually reducing some security in terms of reserves, but to advance the vaccination process," he said. "There will be days when we can reach or exceed the capacity of 140,000 per day, we will extend our schedules and strengthen our teams," he said. Meanwhile, he estimated that this sudden acceleration, in a period of two weeks, may cause queues for inoculations, saying, "the process will not be as fast as desirable, and I apologize to users who have to wait an hour or a half in a line, but it is the trade-off between the quality of the process, the pace of vaccination, and the urgency." So far, over 8.571 million people have been vaccinated in the country, the Portuguese health authorities said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 18:22:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Moroccan navy rescued during the last 48 hours 244 Spain-bound migrants, official news agency MAP reported on Sunday. The migrants, including women and minors, are mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, said the agency quoting a military statement. They were traveling in several inflatable boats in the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates the African continent from Europe. Some of the migrants were in a poor health condition and received the first aid from the navy units, before they were brought back to different Moroccan ports, it added. Morocco has become a transit country for African migrants seeking to reach Europe for better living conditions. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 19:20:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NICOSIA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed in a mammoth forest fire which has been raging for almost 24 hours in a mountainous area of Cyprus, police said on Sunday. Charalambos Alexandrou, director of the Department of Forests, said the fire was the worst ever in the history of Cyprus. The police said that the victims were four Egyptian nationals, aged 25 to 30, who were working as agricultural workers at Odou village. The fast moving fire, which was fanned by strong winds over an area of at least 55 square km within two hours, has affected 10 mountain communities north-east of the port city of Limassol. Alexandrou said that the blaze was brought under control following all-night efforts by hundreds of firefighters and firefighting aircraft operating non-stop since early morning. He added that efforts were currently focused on preventing the blaze from crossing over into the thick pine forest of Machairas, on one of the highest peaks of the central Troodos massif. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said after touring some of the affected communities that the fire "was the biggest tragedy to hit Cyprus" since 1974. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 14:39:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Yosley Carrero HAVANA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Gelavert, who drives an electric street sweeper in Cuba, has got prepared to clear streets and squares of debris as the tropical storm Elsa is nearing the country. The 63-year-old used to remove plastic materials, leaves, and solid waste from the pavement and sidewalks in the capital Havana with a broom and a dustpan, but his daily routine was changed one year ago thanks to a Chinese donation including street cleaning equipment and garbage trucks. "The Chinese machines and trucks will contribute a lot to keeping Havana clean once the storm batters this city. Waste collectors play a key role nowadays," he told Xinhua recently. At present, waste collectors in the Cuban capital, home to 2 million inhabitants, continue to monitor the path of the tropical storm Elsa on its way to Florida Keys. Among them is David Betancourt, a 20-year-old truck driver, who has been working for the local garbage collection company Aurora over the past two years. "With the Chinese equipment, we will be able to clean the city more efficiently," he said. "For instance, an electric sweeping machine can do the work of 10 men. That is not a trivial matter." The branch of Aurora company in the Plaza de la Revolucion district has made preparations to clean up if Havana is hit by heavy rains and gusty winds in the coming days. Nowadays, Cuba is facing the highest rates of COVID-19 infections in the country, while the United States has intensified economic, commercial and financial embargo against the island. The circumstance highlighted the importance of the vehicles and machines donated by China. Gelavert, who defines himself as a "frontline worker," generally starts his day very early to clean up the metropolitan area, as the local government in Havana strives to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the region. Carmen Rosa Aguilera, senior official at Aurora company, said that the Chinese trucks and electric sweeping machines have demonstrated high-quality standards and adaptability to the Cuban context. "The Chinese equipment transports nearly 10 percent of solid waste generated in Plaza de la Revolucion," she said. "It has been very important during the sanitary emergency." Meanwhile, Havana residents have been instructed to reinforce hygiene standards at home and public space. "I think the Chinese sweeping machines and trucks are doing their part. Waste collection services are essential. We deserve a beautiful city and China is giving us a helping hand," Luis Ramirez, a 40-year-old local resident, told Xinhua while putting home garbage in a waste container. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-04 21:41:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Some U.S. millennials are facing more difficulties to buy available starter homes, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. In the United States, the first rung on the homeownership ladder has long been affordable starter homes, which have smaller footprints and selling prices and allow young homeowners to build wealth and upsize as they started their families, said the report. A number of factors are complicating this decades-long trend, it said. Supply of "entry-level housing" is at a five-decade low, said the report, adding that surging prices and stiff competition mean there aren't enough smaller and more affordable starter homes to go around in many regions. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession, along with the student debt crisis and delayed family formation, contributed to frustration and despair among younger house hunters, according to the journal. As of 2020, the median age of a first-time home buyer in the United States was 33 years old, up from 30 years old a decade ago, which has far-reaching consequences for buyers' financial lives, according to the National Association of Realtors. In addition to competing with other buyers, house hunters are sometimes competing with investors, hedge funds and other huge firms, according to previous reports from The Wall Street Journal. "As the summer selling season winds down, some house hunters feel they may soon have to find a rental that can bridge the gap or simply save their energy so they can resume looking when prices cool off," said the report. Enditem President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday called for a renewed global action to decisively address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African region and eliminate the disease by 2030. He made the call while speaking at a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on HIV\AIDS to review the progress on commitment to end the deadly disease by 2030 and provide recommendations to guide and monitor response in countries. Addressing the meeting on Tuesday in a video message, Buhari promised Nigeria's full commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and other international and regional initiatives towards eliminating HIV & AIDs in the world within the set goal. He said Nigeria had made good its commitment at the high-level meeting side event at the 72nd Session of the UNGA in September 2017 to commence placing 50,000 Nigerians living with HIV on treatment annually, using national resources. "Furthermore, I personally granted an exceptional waiver for the use of competitive international tender facilities to procure antiretroviral medicines at more than 30% cost efficiency, enabling more Nigerians to be placed on life-saving antiretroviral treatment within the same budget," he said. The Auditor General of Liberia, Yusador Gaye has died, sources at the GAC told this paper. She died on Thursday at a local hospital. "I want to confirm to you that she died about 18:55 at the ELWA hospital. She died on arrival. she has not been going to work for two weeks," 'the source said. The cause of death is not known. But the source said, "I will give you more details." Her tenure expired few months ago and was only waiting to turn over to the new person who is expected to be confirmed next week. The new Auditor General is P. Garswa Jackson, the Vice president for the University of Liberia finance and Fiscal affairs. Update later: The Kogi State Government has disclosed that local vigilantes have killed three suspected kidnappers operating in the Ottoyi forest between the state and Niger State. The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kogi State Governor, Mr. Onogwu Mohammed, said three kidnappers were killed during a gun duel with the vigilantes on Wednesday. Onogwu said one of the vigilantes involved in the operation revealed that they accosted one of the gang members, who came to buy foodstuffs, and he led operatives to their hideout, but the gang members laid an ambush for the vigilante, who overpowered the hoodlums. The CPS noted that the state's security architecture continued to stand the test of time and had recorded successes against criminals opinion Journalist, lawyer, politician and administrator, Tunji Bello has an enviable resume replete with accolades and excellent deeds. That we celebrate his 60th birthday is more than appropriate for he stands among the most illustrious sons of Lagos State. He has proven to be the most accomplished and durable civil servant of his generation. He has been an indispensable factor in the socio-economic progress the state has made since the 1999 return to democratic governance. But the best thing about Tunji is that he is so much more than what is written on paper. The auspicious titles and honours simply cannot capture the extraordinary depth and inherent goodness of the man. Tunji is of strong character, integrity, honesty and intellect. I have had the unique pleasure to watch him grow and evolve over the years, always striving to do better and be better, although he was already more than good enough. In difficult times, the character of a person is most revealed. I have seen Tunji in action in such moments. He remained steadfast and intact. A man of principle, Tunji never backed away from the fight worth fighting. A man of integrity to the core, he never took the easy way when that was not the right way. A man of excellence, he never did a partial job or made excuses. He got the work done better than I thought possible. As governor, I knew after giving Tunji an assignment, that I no longer had to be concerned about it. His excellence and work ethic allowed me to pile assignment after assignment on him, knowing that he would do more that come through. He would flourish and his work would stand as an example to others. What motivates Tunji is that he has the soul force of a humanitarian. Despite all he is and has done, he is among the most good-natured and kind spirited of us all. Without hesitation, Tunji is quick to extend a helping hand, providing guidance and instruction to the young workers around him on the one hand, while going beyond the call of duty to help the aged and weak among us on the other. Most of Tunji's adult life has been devoted largely to the public good, whether as an intrepid journalist and media executive or as an important player in bringing democratic and progressive good governance to Lagos State. Tunji Bello personifies the continuity we have sought in governance in Lagos State. He is one of the few who have served in the administration of every governor from me to present Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This is not only a testament to his devotion to the state and its development. It also shows his versatility and his mastery as an administrator. He is a repository of knowledge, yet he is not stuck in the ways of old. His is a flexible, adaptive mind always searching for innovative ways to improve governance. I have known Tunji for over three decades. I have never seen him waver in his commitment to the progressive ideal or his loyalty to the people and our best ideals. All I can do is to state one superlative after another to describe my friend and brother. His character is that of a rare breed, someone the Yoruba would call Omoluabi, a man of moral valour who any leader can depend on or rely upon for honest advice on crucial matters. Three factors, in my opinion, have shaped Bello's excellent personality and worldview. These are his solid family background, which attested to the fact that he is a product of a home of culture and morality; his professional calling and work ethics, which moulded him into an enlightened public servant, and the fine personal and family life he has created with the invaluable help of a perfect companion, his wife, Prof. Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello. A writer of great repute, his analyses were incisive and uncannily prescient. His writings revealed his enduring belief in the power of ideas, reason, tolerance, wisdom and right. Armed with such tools, Tunji rapidly climbed the profession ladder in journalism, becoming Politics Editor at a tender age of 27. Not long thereafter, he was promoted to the Editor of the Sunday title and later Editor of the daily title of the famous Concord Newspapers Group. And much later, he was appointed Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspaper. Despite the pressures of being a journalist and media executive, Tunji was able to turn his immense talents to the pursuit of a legal education, becoming a lawyer in the process. His involvement in politics was born on the university campus. He entered university at a time of idealistic yearnings and expectations. We all yearned for a more democratic and just Nigeria through the end to military rule. However, not all of us had the courage to fight for it. Tunji did. He was actively involved as the Vice President of the University of Ibadan Students Union, playing a vocal role in the popular agitation for democracy in the 80s. Since then, he has not stopped. Tunji Bello played an important role in the struggle for democracy and good governance. One day the tales of this story will be fully told and Tunji will hold a prominent place in it. Bello was part of the kitchen cabinet of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola's Hope 1993 presidential campaign. When Abiola's victory was annulled by the military, Bello was one of the first to take to the trenches to launch the fighting that would ultimately result in the return to democracy six long, often hard years later. Here, I must thank Mr. Dele Alake, an eminent journalist and a remarkable Commissioner for Information in my cabinet as Lagos governor. Alake urged that I bring Tunji on board. I did. It was one of my finest decisions. Tunji's contributions were immense and covered a wide spectrum of issues. I can attest to his interventions particularly in some highly technical areas where he brilliantly deployed his expertise. His capacity to achieve strategic objectives with speed yet precision is remarkable. From the onset, Tunji was constructive and frank, adding so much to the spirited debates that became a hallmark of our cabinet and its success. As a member of our team in Lagos State, Tunji performed excellently whether as Head of Signage and Advertising Agency (LASSA), Secretary to the State Government or Commissioner for Environment. He truly is the most accomplished and versatile public servant of this era. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Tunji contributed immensely to the 24-year Development Plan designed by our administration to accelerate growth, thereby changing the destiny of state and its people. Also of great importance was Bello's contribution to urban renewal in his capacity as Commissioner for Environment. Because of the unparalleled job he has done, Tunji still presides over this highly technical, sensitive ministry. He has set a standard that will be hard for his successors to approach, let alone match or surpass. At a more personal level, Tunji has been blessed with the good and supportive family he deserves. He is a proud husband of a renowned scholar, Prof. Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello, and the father of upstanding children. My prayer for Tunji is that Almighty Allah continue to lay His beneficent hand of blessing on him and his family, grant him many more years of health and vigour that he may continue to serve his state, and nation. With all that Tunji has already done, may his greatest feats still lie before him. May history remember him as among the best of us. Happy Birthday my friend and brother. Happy Birthday Tunji Bello. *Being excerpts from a new book, 'In Pursuit of the Public Purpose - Essays in Honour of Tunji Bello at 60'. Abuja, Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday drew the battle line with All Progressives Congress (APC) over jitters of a plot to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. The governors in a statement yesterday in Abuja expressed their determination to resist the alleged plot to foist a one-party state on the country. The governors spoke against the backdrop of Tuesday's defection of Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Bello Matawalle, from the PDP to APC. Matawalle is the third PDP governor, after his colleagues in Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, and Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, to cross over to the ruling party in the last seven months. But the APC has denied the allegation of trying to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. However, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, excoriated Matawalle for betraying the PDP, saying that the governors of the main opposition party risked their lives by travelling on what he described as, "very terribly bad road" from Sokoto to Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, to appeal to Matawalle not to leave PDP. PDP has also filed a fresh document, seeking the listing of its suit seeking the sacking of the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, by the Supreme Court. The PDP governors, in the statement yesterday by the Director-General of the PDP Governors' Forum, Hon. Cyril Maduabum, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to concentrate their efforts on tackling insecurity and fighting Boko Haram instead of poaching governors of the main opposition party. They said: "If Mr. President or APC can spend 10 per cent of the energy they use in wooing PDP governors and stalwarts in tackling the ravaging incidents of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, herders/farmers conflicts, separatist tendencies, or in building infrastructure, providing food, health care, education and tending to the general wellbeing of Nigerians, our country would be a better place." The governors also mocked the APC, saying that a political party that cannot constitute its board of trustees and that is ruled by a military-like National Executive Committee and unelected executives at all levels, contrary to Section 223 of the constitution, has nothing to attract anyone. The governors stated that anyone defecting from PDP or any other party to APC today under the terrible conditions they have put Nigeria into is looking for something else other than the good of the nation. They said the APC and its government at the federal level had become a threat to Nigeria and its democracy. They added: "The PDP governors will continue to resist the attempt by the APC to foist a one-party dictatorship on Nigerians. We are confident that if Nigerians are allowed to express their political preferences through a free and fair election, APC will be roundly rejected as the PDP remains the only credible, acceptable alternative platform that could deliver good governance for Nigeria." They accused the APC and the federal government of deploying unlawful threats, intimidation and underhand tactics against opposition governors. "When Mr. President directly and prejudicially regretted in his recent interview that Zamfara State is governed by another party other than his own, it was a clear subtle threat to the governor of the state to join him or face the consequences," they stated. The governors alleged that threats had been deployed by the APC Caretaker /National Convention Planning Committee to make opposition governors join APC. Wike: We Risked Our Lives to Keep Matawalle in PDP Wike yesterday took a swipe at Matawalle for betraying the opposition party. He said PDP governors risked their lives by travelling on what he described as, "very terribly bad road" from Sokoto to Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, to appeal to Matawalle not to leave PDP. He stated that none of the three governors who have so far defected to APC have told Nigerians why they left PDP, adding that they left to seek political relevance and protection from prosecution from the Buhari administration. Wike spoke during an interview with ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers. He said: "I have never taken such a risk in my life, flying down to Sokoto with my colleagues and travelling by very bad road from Sokoto to Zamfara and of course the issue of insecurity for three hours. We went to see our colleague and you can't understand what your colleague was saying." He advised the PDP to go to court to challenge Matawalle's defection, as it was the party which went to court to challenge the none-adherence to the Electoral Act by the APC, which led to the Supreme Court judgment that paved the way for Matawalle to become governor. "PDP went to court to say that the APC did not fulfil the Electoral Act; they did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act because INEC said there was no primary and INEC said every party must conduct primary," he added. Wike, however, was optimistic that many APC bigwigs will defect to the PDP as the 2023 general election approaches, adding that he will not advise anyone to defect from the APC to PDP now because not everyone can face the persecution of the APC-led federal government. He said: "So, many people in APC cannot now openly defect to PDP. You must be very careful with fear of being hunted; for fear of now going to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); it is not easy but I can tell you, you will see what will happen as we move next year towards going to the period when Buhari's tenure will expire. "You will see. Many people will come out at that time; the president will not have anything to do. But if anybody tries it now, then you must be prepared to face the consequences, so it's not easy." PDP Renews Legal Battle to Unseat Uzodimma Meanwhile, the PDP has filed a fresh document, requiring the listing of the suit it filed seeking to sack the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, at the Supreme Court. Investigation revealed that the suit will soon be listed for hearing at the apex court. According to a PDP source, the suit, filed last year by the main opposition party is now ripe for hearing because some processes were recently filed by some of the parties. The source said the PDP, through its lawyer, Mr. Phillips Umeadi (SAN), recently filed a fresh document, requiring the listing of the case for hearing. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The source added that what is left is for the Deputy Registrar (Litigation) to liaise with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) for a hearing date, after which parties would be notified. The PDP, in the suit, is seeking an order of the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that removed Hon. Emeka Ihedioha from office as governor of Imo State. Respondents in the motion on notice, filed by the PDP in an earlier appeal by Ugwumba Nwosu, marked: SC/1384/2019 is: Nwosu, the Action Peoples Party (APP), governorship candidate, Uche Nnadi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The PDP, in the appeal, is claiming that it was wrong for the court to declare Uzodimma of the APC the winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Imo State after disqualifying Nwosu from contesting on the grounds that he allowed himself to be nominated as the governorship candidate of both the Action Alliance and APC for the same election. It wants the court to declare that both the AA and the APC did not sponsor any candidate for the election in view of Nwosu's double nomination by the AA and APC and his subsequent disqualification by the court in its judgment given on December 20, 2019. PDP wants the court to order INEC to issue a certificate of return to Ihedioha, its candidate in the election, "as the duly elected governor of Imo State, having scored the second-highest number of votes in the said election sequel to the judgment of this court in Appeal No: SC/1462/2019 - Senator Hope Uzodinma & another v. Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha & others delivered on January 14, 2020." column Not a few were shockingly impressed with the sudden news of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, the self-acclaimed leader of the controversial Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatists group. The happiness of most people derive from the suspicion that the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu will mean the end of all the security issues troubling the South Eastern part of the country. The suspicion, if not belief, is that Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB, plus Eastern Security Network (ESN), are the brains behind the violent and frequent attacks at government /public facilities in the south east, including correctional centres and several police stations. The attacks, have claimed several lives of policemen and even innocent civilians. Nobody can be happy with such mindless and needless killings. Apart from the people who have been foolishly killed at their duty posts, many IPOB members have also died in the foolish agitation and quest for an independent nation. It is surprising that even from far away London, (some say Malaysia, others say Israel), Nnamdi Kanu is able to deeply brainwash his followers to the point that they willfully lay down their lives for the course of a fruitless Biafra Republic. The IPOB members speak with so much fanaticism and assurance that their dream Biafra Republic is just a breath away. In their opinion, anyone who does not share their vision and belief in the Biafran course is not only abnormal, but also unfit to live. It is amazing that a struggle which could not see the light of the day, 54 years ago, even with more sophisticated and organized arsenal and personnel, is being marketed at a time that all the odds are against such a divisive project. Indeed, how many Igbo men are truly determined to have a separate nation? Are we not better and stronger together? His arrest, last Sunday, outside the country (location not quite certain, although sources have said Kenya or Ethiopia), was a security scoop, so to say. There was no hint whatsoever that the federal government was moving against him. The re-arrest has shown that the government (security agencies) can work if it/they want to. The collaboration with Interpol made all the difference. In a way, it offers a flashback to the Umaru Dikko abduction attempt in July 1984, by the same administration of (then Gen) Muhammadu Buhari, as a military Head of State, from the United Kingdom. That attempt failed. This one succeeded. Although the scenarios are quite different, many have challenged the government to apply similar efficiency and devotion to crushing the brains behind both the banditry and terrorism menace ravaging the country. Conscious of the international attention the treatment of the Kanu case will attract, the Department of State Services (DSS) last Tuesday promptly re-arraigned Kanu on the 11-count charge which he was facing before he was granted bail in 2017. In March 2019, the bail was revoked following the failure of Nnamdi Kanu to appear in court. He had long fled the country to foreign lands from where he sustained the incitement of his followers, using the social media platform, against the Nigerian state. His Radio Biafra, which was founded in 2009, had also been a channel he used in brainwashing his followers with huge propaganda. He denigrated the country and its leaders calling them despicable names. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe and two others who had stood surety for his bail in 2017, are said to have now lost their N3 million bail bond. In a few weeks from now, Nnamdi Kanu will face his trial proper. I am sure he never envisaged he'd yet have his day in the Nigerian court again. That he's been vehemently against the Nigerian state and determined to undo it is beyond question. He spoke like a burnished warlord, but he got picked like a sleeping snail. Without any fuss, he found himself in Nigeria bound in handcuffs and blindfolded too. He looked like a weather-beaten chicken: humbled and speechless. His day has surely come, when he'd have to answer to all he had said and done against his fatherland. He has explained that he fled the country to avoid being killed by the Nigerian military, when the latter raided his father's house in an Abia community. But beyond the ululation of his arrest, rests the prisms on which the Biafran agitation is predicated. Essentially, the quest for a break up is because of the feeling of the Igbos not being fairly and equitably treated in the larger Nigerian federation. While this may be true, breaking up the country cannot be the solution to this feeling. I have continued to cite the instance of why only the South-east geo-political zone has five states while all others have six states, with the North west even having seven. Or how do we explain, for instance, that the old Kano State split into two--Kano and Jigawa, now account for 82 Local Government Areas, whereas the entire Southern states have a total of 95 LGAs. The clamour for restructuring is to address such imbalances. Yes, not through agitation for a breakup. Not much can be achieved through violence. Stakeholders can always sit down at round tables and discuss and sort these issues out, hoping it will all be governed by sincere desire for peace and justice. Nnamdi Kanu and his ilks must be reminded that their offence is not so much about what (is) said but how (it is) said. There a few things here and there that seem to under rate the Igbo nation, as if they are second class citizens, or even less. The things and feelings that led late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu into the Nigerian civil war are still around. They cannot be swept under the carpet. They have to be addressed. Justice and equity are pre-requisites for peaceful and harmonious co-existence. Nigeria belongs to all. And equally too. No section of the country is more Nigerian than the other. Yes, Nnamdi Kanu and his infantile IPOB movement may be quelled and crushed, perhaps deservedly, but the under pinning reason for the uprising should not be ignored. Anything that has stoke the fire of disquiet and restiveness in the country deserves to be reviewed. To browbeat them into acquiescence, using the instruments of state force is to postpone the evil day. After all, on this Biafran project, we have had Late Odumegwu Ojukwu,; we have had Ralph Uwazurike. Today, it is Nnamdi Kanu. Tomorrow it will be Mr X if the issues remain unaddressed. Canticles... . What Does El Rufai Want to Achieve? By Eddy Odivwri With barely two years to go, I wonder why that micro governor want to inflict so much pain on his people. Micro governor? Who is so called? Need you ask? Who else is inflicting so much pain on his people like Governor Nasir el-Rufai? Oh noooo, You misunderstand him. He means well. He is concerned about reforming the Kaduna state's civil service in a way that it will be compact and efficient, instead of being bogus, wieldy and lousy. You can use all the beautiful adjectives that you can find. What is crucial is that the people who voted for him are not happy with him. They are bitter as he has made life and living practically miserable to the people of the state. Again, you got it wrong. He is not against the entire state. He believes the workforce in Kaduna is bloated and should be trimmed. He has argued that he cannot be using a larger chunk of the state's resources to service the interest of less than 20 per cent of the people. He argues that it does not make sense or portray fairness for the huge resources of the state to be devoted expended on the narrow interest of just a few. Look, you don't understand. Kaduna State is essentially a civil servant state. By the time you decapitate the civil service workforce, you are practically crumbling the economy of the state. So, if the purchasing power of the people is taken away by unfriendly government policy, wont life become short, nasty and brutish? The government is opening other windows of opportunities unto the people. The government is not foolish you know. Have you forgotten that the governor is a First Class graduate? He brims with intelligence. What kind of intelligence is that? What intelligence inflicts pain on people? Does intelligence mean wickedness? Was this not what he also did as FCT Minister: pulling down people's buildings? Is wickedness in his DNA? How does the increment of school fees by 500%, from N24,000 to a minimum of N150,000 per student reflect intelligence? Does that geometric rise in fee structure show that the governor has a heart for the people? How are they going to pay? Is it not the same parents whom he is sacking from work that have to pay this huge fee? What kind of government is that? How will the sacked parents raise that kind of money? The ASUU of the Kaduna State University (KASU) has warned that 75 per cent of the students may drop out of school if the state government insists on the high fee. Yet the government is not bulging? Any one still wondering why the spate of kidnapping and banditry is high in Kaduna? Is that a kind government? A student was shot dead, among those protesting the fee hike, but El-Rufai seems to have been stuck in making them see "Hell Rufai"! What kind of democracy does not listen to the cry of the people, the same people from whom you derived your power? Gov El-Rufai knows that the process of change is always painful and difficult. But he knows also that the little pain they bear today will produce great fruits tomorrow. So, he is determined to... . (raises the hand) Enough of those oppressive capitalist lingos! The future belongs to only those who are alive. Of what use is a reform that ends up killing all the beneficiaries before it takes off? Look, who will use those roads and bridges El-Rufai is building is the people die of hunger and hardship today? Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Tell him to look inwards. He should not blindly drive a reform that will cause more harm than good. Has he considered what Akwa-Ibom State is doing by setting up companies and several going concerns? Does he know that hard as things are, Akwa-Ibom State, instead of firing its work force, is hiring even more people to work in the various outfits it is setting up? And you say El Rufai has a First Class? Let this First Class product think outside the box of regimented template. Kaduna State, with its political and economic niche should not be suffering its people. I cannot forget that quaint scripture that says when the righteous are in power, the people, rejoice. But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Are you implying that Gov Nasir El Rufai is a wicked governor? You said so! You are a very biased critic. Are you not aware that the Kaduna government has also offered bursaries and loans to deserving students of various categories so that their education can continue? How else can a government be thoughtful? There is bursary. There is loan, all aimed at assisting indigent students. Look, education is not free or cheap anywhere in the world. Kaduna State is not and cannot be different. Anything that is prized, must cost something substantial. It is a basic law of Economics! Rubbish Loan! Go and look at the conditions for those loans. Everything smells of hardness and wickedness. What really is El-Rufai looking for? What does he want to achieve by all these hard stance? In May, the entire NLC gathered in his state to protest. It was the plane crash of the Nigerian Airforce that vacated that siege. Yet, he remains obstinate and cocky. Is it because he is serving out his second term in office and would not have to stand before the people again to renew his mandate? Does he not realise that someday, he will become like an ordinary citizen? For what shall he be remembered? Would he rather be remembered as that government who brought tears to the eyes of the people or that governor who made life easier and sweeter? History is always a fair judge! I can assure you that history will be kind to him. A history governed by critical thinking and not be emotions, that is! analysis As armed Zulu regiments marched alongside Jacob Zuma at his homestead in Nkandla on Saturday afternoon, legal minds elsewhere were somewhat flummoxed following the former president's challenge to a ruling from the highest court in the land. The Constitutional Court had agreed earlier on Saturday to hear Jacob Zuma's application for rescinding of its Tuesday judgment, wherein he was sentenced to 15 months' direct imprisonment for contempt of court. The matter has been set down for hearing on 12 July. The apex court, in a majority judgment, found Zuma guilty of contempt for disobeying its order earlier in the year that he appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by now Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, to answer allegations from scores of witnesses about his role in State Capture. Zuma has until Sunday to hand himself over to police, failing which, the SAPS will have three days to arrest him. As reported earlier by Daily Maverick, the former president has also brought an application before the Pietermaritzburg High Court, to be heard on Tuesday, to stay the execution of his arrest and incarceration. If it is found that that court has the competency to hear the... A team from the Southern African Development Community will arrive in eSwatini on Sunday, after the kingdom was rocked by pro-democracy protests and claims of a deadly crackdown. Protesters have stepped up their campaign for political reform in recent days in the tiny landlocked country, formerly known as Swaziland. The government deployed the army to disperse the crowds and unverified videos emerged of beatings by security forces. Amnesty International accused them of a "frontal attack on human rights" and alleged at least 20 people had been killed. The kingdom's government said it had invited the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to carry out "a fact-finding mission" from Sunday. The 16-country bloc added that its team would encourage the kingdom to find a lasting solution to the dispute. No official reports of fatalities The eSwatini government has said it has not received any official reports of fatalities. Internet service providers said they have been ordered to cut access to social media and online platforms until further notice. Shops were closed during the violence but some reopened for a few hours on Saturday, according to an AFP correspondent in the capital Mbabane. An evening curfew is in place, with a heavy police presence on the streets. Protesters defied the curfew earlier in the week and targeted buildings linked to King Mswati III. The violence has drawn international condemnation. analysis One prediction at the outbreak of COVID-19 was that Africa could be the epicentre of fatalities from the pandemic. This hasn't happened. The record of rate of infections, fatalities and recoveries shows that Africa is the second least affected region of the world. The fear that Africa would be the epicentre of the pandemic was fuelled by a few factors. One was the presence of overcrowded informal settlements. Another was weak systems in many countries and the inadequate number of medical personnel across the board. In addition, hospitals lack critical equipment such as testing kits, personal protective equipment and oxygen machines. Most countries adopted national strategies, such as closing borders. Others took a more regional approach. In a recent study I looked at what role regionalism played in containing the pandemic. The porous borders between many countries in Africa presented additional challenges - as well as opportunities - for a regional response to COVID-19. I concluded that a regional approach did help in containing the pandemic because of the opportunity it provided for sharing resources, information, training and testing. For example, effective monitoring and deployment of testing equipment at the borders contributed to limiting cross border transmission of the virus. But I also concluded that, for the future, there is a need to build more regional health infrastructure that can help the continent manage new epidemic outbreaks. Reasons for a regional approach Since March 2020, African countries have adopted various measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the national responses were continental and regional approaches under the auspices of the African Union through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the regional economic communities. Regionalism was adopted as a strategy for many reasons. The first was the limited capacity of some states to manage the pandemic. At the onset of the pandemic, many lacked the health infrastructure and equipment required for testing, personal protective equipment and oxygen. Although the problem of poor health infrastructure is common across most parts of the continent, it is worse in small states like Lesotho. A regional approach helped mitigate the negative effects of this weakness through mobilisation of resources and distribution of critical health equipment. The second reason for a regional approach was the fact that borders separating African countries are very porous, artificial and arbitrary. Given the imperative of cross border trade, kinship ties across the borders and the frequent travels that accompany these high levels of interactions, national strategies alone would not have been sufficient to contain the spread of COVID-19. Third was the huge financial requirement for managing the pandemic. This included assistance for those whose jobs were affected, rent subsidies, and other social interventions. The limited capacity of the state to mobilise these resources at the national level made a regional approach necessary. The African Union mobilised resources from the international community to help in meeting the huge financial requirements for managing the pandemic. The regional approach provided a stronger voice in doing so. Continental response From March 2020, the African Union took the lead in coordinating a continental response to the management of the pandemic. The political and bureaucratic leadership of the African Union, represented by Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, and Cyril Ramaphosa, chair of the African Union at the time, mobilised stakeholders from the private sector and international community to contribute to the fund. For instance, Africa50 contributed $300,000 to support the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly, the African Development Bank supported the fund with $27.33 million. They also appealed to the international community for assistance. The duo invited the private sector and the international community to contribute to the COVID-19 Solidarity Fund. This money was needed to procure health equipment, create awareness, and address the economic fallout of the pandemic. The African Union also called on existing institutions such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and regional economic communities to train and equip health officials at regional and continental levels to deal with future pandemics. These institutions came into being as part of the ongoing regionalisation processes in Africa. For instance, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention was established in 2016 in response to previous epidemics like Sars and Ebola. It has been performing various roles such as information and communication, training and capacity building, and collaboration with regional and international organisations. In some instances, some of the eight regional economic communities on the continent also played a part. For example, in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States built on the previous experiences of managing Ebola to coordinate the activities of member countries. The regional body developed a regional strategic plan and, through the West African Health Organisation, helped build capacity of health officials at the regional level through training, sharing information and mobilising resources. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In East Africa however, the denialist approach of the Tanzania government under the late president John Magufuli negatively affected the collective will of the East African Community to fight the pandemic. The country did not close its borders; neither was there stringent adherence to protocols recommended by scientists. Lessons learnt Africa is not yet out of the woods. Recent data shows that new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are a cause for concern. Access to vaccines remains acute. However, the use of a regional approach has contributed to mobilising resources towards the targeted $647 million African Union COVID-19 response fund. This fund has been used to support the recovery efforts of some member states of the African Union and build the capacity of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent donation of $1.3 billion by Mastercard Foundation would further help in procurement of vaccines and managing future pandemics. This money will particularly help small states which might not otherwise be able to access resources. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Adjunct Research Professor-Institute of African Studies, Carleton IUniversity, Carleton University analysis In his year in office, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has shown an appetite for reform and re-engagement with international partners. In this Q &A, Crisis Group experts assess whether ruling-party hardliners will hold the country back from turning a corner. A year ago, Ndayishimiye took office only days after the unexpected death of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza. Does the new president represent continuity or change? Elected in May 2020, President Evariste Ndayishimiye assumed power over a deeply troubled country. He took the reins from his late predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza, who had led Burundi into a protracted crisis over his fifteen years in office and had died shortly after Ndayishimiye's election. The country is still reeling from the former president's successful bid to stay on for a third term in office in 2015. Many saw Nkurunziza's manoeuvre then as contrary to the 2000 Arusha Accords, which brought an end to a brutal civil war between the ethnic Tutsi minority that had ruled for decades and the Hutu majority. These machinations led in 2015 to street protests, a failed coup attempt, a crackdown and the exodus of over 400,000 people. After winning flawed elections that year, Nkurunziza stepped up crackdowns on the media, opposition and civil society groups, and increasingly insisted on outlandish displays of public devotion: the ruling party formally referred to him as a "visionary" and the "supreme guide for patriotism". Donors including the European Union (EU), concerned by mounting rights abuses, cut direct budget support to Burundi. As investor confidence tanked and standards of living plummeted, the ruling party's Imbonerakure youth militia, key to Nkurunziza's machinery of repression, began collecting forced financial contributions from the exhausted citizenry. Burundi's relationship with neighbouring Rwanda also nosedived. Nkurunziza accused his counterpart Paul Kagame of supporting proxy armed groups against Burundi, and vice versa. While Ndayishimiye's rise to power marked the end of Nkurunziza's personality cult, the new president will still have to placate powerful factions in the ruling Conseil national pour la defense de la democratie - Forces pour la defense de la democratie (CNDD-FDD), which started its life as a Hutu rebel group before turning into a political organisation in 2003. The CNDD-FDD's selection of Ndayishimiye, who had previously held various government positions as well as the post of party secretary-general, reveals much about where power truly lies in the party. At first, it appeared that Nkurunziza was pushing for his ally Pascal Nyabenda, the former president of the National Assembly, to succeed him. It was only after intense lobbying by top generals that Ndayishimiye, himself a former senior army officer, finally won the candidacy. Having risen to power largely at the behest of powerful party security chiefs to whom he now owes his presidency, he will be under pressure to ensure they remain happy with him. Indeed, after securing electoral victory for the CNDD-FDD, which now holds a majority in both the National Assembly (86 0f 123 seats) and the Senate (34 of 39 seats), Ndayishimiye has appointed generals and security hardliners to top positions. His fifteen-member cabinet includes Prime Minister Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni and Interior Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca, who are both under EU and U.S. sanctions for their role in crackdowns during the 2015 crisis. Even with a majority in parliament, repression remains a key tool for governing Burundi. According to Human Rights Watch and the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, the Imbonerakure and the intelligence services continue to commit human rights violations, cracking down on civilians and opposition members, though to a lesser extent than prior to the elections. State institutions target for abuse specific groups such as members of the Congres national pour la liberte (CNL) opposition party, young Tutsis and members of the army's old guard, mainly Tutsi, whom the CNDD-FDD sees as a security threat. The government is also stepping up its efforts to track down and punish those involved in the 2015 failed coup. What reforms has the new president been keen to push? Despite government repression, Ndayishimiye is trying to go on a charm offensive with the media and some civil society groups. To demonstrate his bona fides, he has taken some modest positive steps to reverse past harms. To begin with, authorities have released four jailed journalists who work for Iwacu, one of Burundi's few remaining independent media outlets, following a presidential pardon in December 2020. They had been detained since October 2019 while reporting on clashes between security forces and an armed group in Bubanza province. While the journalists' release has moved these cases in the right direction, rights organisations say it is not enough, arguing that authorities have yet to reverse the unjust convictions in the courts. The government has also opened up more media space. In January, authorities reopened negotiations with national and international media outlets. They cleared local radio station Bonesha FM for operations in February 2021 after forcing it to close in 2015, and did the same for the BBC, whose license was revoked in 2019, in June. In April, the government also lifted sanctions against Parcem, which was one of the last human rights advocacy groups operating in Burundi until its suspension in June 2019. Ndayishimiye has meanwhile tried to demonstrate that he is serious about improving governance and tackling corruption, albeit with mixed results. When installing his new cabinet, he warned his ministers he could easily replace them if they failed to perform adequately and that he would not tolerate people "diverting a single cent from the budget planned to improve the well-being of Burundians". He also gave members of his government three weeks to declare their assets to the public. He later backtracked, however, reportedly under CNDD-FDD pressure, stating that senior state officials and public officials will not be forced to comply. The arrest of Commerce Minister Immaculee Ndabaneze for alleged embezzlement in May was also short-lived, as she was quickly released. After years of no progress at all, even modest reform efforts are welcome, although diplomats differ on how meaningful the steps Ndayishimiye has taken will prove to be. While one diplomat told Crisis Group that this administration and its predecessor are like "night and day", others suggested that anti-corruption measures could be "political window dressing" and thus far do not indicate a commitment to comprehensive reform. Similarly, these sceptics tend to play down the arrests and convictions of a small number of police officers and Imbonerakure on criminal charges given that security force and militia repression and rights abuses reportedly still continue, even if at lower levels. The president has also come out with a national strategy to handle the COVID-19 outbreak, which Nkurunziza had stated would be neutralised by God. Right after assuming office, Ndayishimiye began a national campaign against the virus's spread, establishing a committee to sensitise the population about what preventive measures they could take while the government stepped up a national testing campaign. The country has also normalised relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), after expelling its representatives in May 2020, allowing the resumption of aid. Nevertheless, Burundi asked not to be included on the list to receive vaccines under the COVAX initiative pending their final WHO certification, and the government has repeatedly said acquiring doses is not a priority due to their elevated cost. On foreign policy, Ndayishimiye has taken steps to re-engage Burundi's partners. The new president has been keen to deliver on electoral promises of repairing relations with the country' neighbours and international donors. He is acutely aware that the country's shattered economy could benefit from better trading relationships with regional partners and direct financial support from influential donors, such as the EU. Since assuming office, he has visited eight countries on the continent, starting with Burundi's key regional ally Tanzania and including Egypt, Kenya and Uganda. Foreign Minister Albert Shingiro, Burundi's former representative to the UN and previously an apologist for Nkurunziza's isolationist foreign policy, has been instructed by Ndayishimiye to lead Burundi's diplomatic offensive outside the continent. He also conducted a European tour in April and May, visiting Brussels at the invitation of the EU, France and Switzerland. How have international and regional partners reacted to these developments? Ndayishimiye's domestic policies and diplomacy have won him gains in the halls of multilateral organisations. The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie accepted Burundi back as a full member in November 2020 after suspending it following the 2015 political crisis. In December, the UN Security Council officially removed the country from its agenda. In February, the East African Community heads of state chose Ndayishimiye as rapporteur for the 2021-2022 term and as next chairman for 2022-2023. Even more significant were the closure of the African Union Human Rights Observers and Military Experts Mission as well as the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy in May, both established to monitor the situation in the country and find a way to end the violence. The special envoy's office closed at the Burundian authorities' request, stating that "in light of the country's progress in terms of peace and security, only UN presence of socio-economic nature is needed to support Burundi in its development efforts". Influential donors, in particular the EU, are also striking a different tone toward Burundi. In December 2020, the EU ambassador in Bujumbura stated that "Ndayishimiye's new policy of openness constitutes a solid basis for the resumption of good cooperation". In June, after only six months of talks between the Burundian authorities and the EU, the latter announced it would be willing to revoke its measure suspending financial aid, if and when Bujumbura makes certain additional reforms. But diplomats tell Crisis Group that the EU also decided to change its approach because the suspension of direct budgetary support and the application of sanctions against Burundian officials during Nkurunziza's rule had not led to an improvement of the country's situation. In fact, their governments worried that these measures may have simply provoked the authorites to turn to other partners, such as China, Russia and Turkey, thereby diluting Western influence further. Relations with Rwanda have also started to improve, with important implications for regional security. When in office, Nkurunziza had openly accused Kigali of supporting the Burundian rebel group RED-Tabara, active in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and reportedly led by a Tutsi opponent of the Hutu-dominated Burundian regime. Rwanda had denied this allegation and in contrast stated that Burundi was supporting the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), a remnant of the Rwandan Hutu militia involved in the 1994 genocide, and also active in eastern Congo. The two presidents have yet to meet in person, but working-level meetings between government officials from the two countries are taking place. Greater cooperation between Rwandan and Burundian intelligence officials has also led to a de-escalation in tensions despite skirmishes involving armed groups on the border. Rwandan authorities have arrested at least nineteen RED-Tabara rebels, while Burundi's government has promised to fight the FDLR. Tensions persist, however, over Burundi's request to hand over those responsible for the coup attempt in 2015 who found refuge in Rwanda. Kigali has so far refused but appeared sensitive to Bujumbura's demands in March when three Burundian opposition radio stations operating from the Rwandan capital had to suspend their broadcasts. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Burundi Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. What are the main risks and challenges moving forward? A key challenge for partners and putative partners looking to see whether Burundi really is turning a corner is that international monitoring capacity has diminished and will continue to do so. After the closure of both the UN special envoy's office and the African Union mission, the UN Commission of Inquiry is the only remaining internationally mandated body active in the country monitoring human rights abuses and the risk of further conflict. While briefing the UN Human Rights Council in March, the Commission stated that the situation is still "too complex and uncertain to be referred to as genuine improvement". But despite the continued need for its analysis, its mandate will likely not be renewed in September. As a result, the responsibility to keep on top of the human rights and security situations in the country will be left in the hands of local organisations and donor country embassies, which may have reason to keep shining a light on the situation in the country. As for risks, despite some signs that Ndayishimiye is trying to create a break from the damaging legacy of his predecessor, the CNDD-FDD has already signalled it is likely to monopolise power as hardliners from the party also entrench their bases. By appointing mainly Hutu politicians into government, Ndayishimiye has already disregarded provisions for proportional representation in the Arusha Agreement, which included power-sharing arrangements between Hutu and Tutsi political factions. In addition, the president tightened his grip on the legal system in January by approving the amendment to a law governing the Conseil superieur de la magistrature, an institution officially mandated to guarantee the judiciary's independence from the executive branch, but which in practice is headed by the president. The new law gives the president even more power, essentially by allowing him to do a quality check of all court judgments. An international monitor working on Burundi told Crisis Group that "everything is in place for full and total control" by the CNDD-FDD government. Efforts by Ndayishimiye to push a reformist agenda that would dismantle the machinery of repression created by his predecessor may well meet resistance from the bowels of the ruling party, including those who were not necessarily in favour of his selection as the party candidate in 2020. Even those who did support him may not want to see him advance certain policies. Several generals, for example, are not in favour of rapprochement with the EU and any conditionality that may come with resumption of budgetary aid, having enriched themselves during Nkurunziza's fifteen years in power. By the same token, a failure to reform may expose the country to an even more prolonged economic crisis and the political tensions that may go with it. Fires are raging north of the city of Kamloops, British Columbia The Canadian military is on standby to help evacuate residents in British Columbia where wildfires linked to a record-breaking heatwave threaten to engulf communities. Emergency services say they are now trying to control more than 170 fires, many triggered by lightning strikes. Many western areas are tinder-dry followed the unprecedented hot weather. Meanwhile, at least two people are reported to have died in the village of Lytton that was destroyed by fire. Lytton recorded Canada's highest-ever temperature of 49.6C (121.3F) on Tuesday. About 350 military personnel as well as aircraft are being readied to help threatened communities, Canadian defence Minister Harjit Sajjan told reporters. The announcement came after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held emergency talks with ministers as well as provincial and indigenous leaders from affected areas. "We will be there to help," he said. Map Police roadblocks are in place around the village of Lytton Lytton resident Martha Van Dyke grabbed her cats and fled her home as the fire swept in Large swathes of North America have seen a high-pressure "heat dome" in recent days, causing abnormally high temperatures. The heatwave has also affected Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and northern Ontario. Although linking any single event to global warming is complicated, experts say climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves. In British Columbia, evacuation orders and alerts are in place for several areas north of the city of Kamloops, 350km (220 miles) north-east of Vancouver where the worst fires are raging. "We saw 12,000 lightning strikes, roughly, yesterday [Friday]," said Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations for British Columbia Wildfire Service. "Many of those lightning strikes were hitting near communities... in the Kamloops area," he said, according to broadcaster CBC. On Saturday, the British Columbia Coroners Service confirmed that at least two people had died in Lytton where a wildfire on Wednesday evening forced many of its 250 residents to flee without their belongings. Story continues Earlier, resident Jeff Chapman told CBC he had seen his parents killed by the fire as they sought refuge in a trench near their home. Lytton Mayor Jan Polderman told the BBC: "Within about 15 minutes the whole town was engulfed in flames." British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said extreme heat was probably "a significant contributing factor" to a recent spike in deaths. The figure of 719 deaths was three times the average number. "Many of the deaths experienced over the past week were among older individuals living alone in private residences with minimal ventilation," she said on Saturday. Temperatures have eased in coastal areas but there is not much respite for inland regions. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said it was braced for more wildfires. Former US president Donald Trump has condemned New York prosecutors for bringing charges against his namesake company and longtime financial adviser, using a campaign-style rally to air a host of grievances. "It's really called prosecutorial misconduct. It's a terrible, terrible thing," Trump told thousands of supporters gathered outdoors in Sarasota, Florida, on Saturday. The Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to what a New York prosecutor called a "sweeping and audacious" tax fraud, arising from a probe into Trump's business and its practices. Weisselberg and other executives were accused of receiving perks and benefits such as rent-free apartments and leased cars, without reporting them properly on their tax returns. The outcome of the investigations and other lawsuits facing Trump could affect whether he decides to run again for president in 2024. "They've mobilised every power of government to come after me, my family, my wonderful employees and my company solely because of politics," Trump told the crowd. The rally was billed as a Fourth of July celebration with fireworks, the latest in a series of appearances as the former president tries to keep Republicans' focus on him. Trump used his speech to denounce the policies of his successor, Democratic President Joe Biden, and repeat his false claim that he lost the 2020 election due to fraud. Trump dwelled heavily on Biden's policies along the US border with Mexico and rising crime, two issues that Republicans hope to use to their advantage in the 2022 midterm elections. Trump's image took a beating after the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. But 53 per cent of Republicans believe Trump won last year's election and blame his loss on illegal voting, and one quarter of the overall public agreed Trump won, a May 17-19 Reuters/Ipsos poll shows. Trump, 75, has dangled the possibility of running for president again in 2024. "We are looking at the election, more than looking at it," Trump said, prompting cheers from the Sarasota crowd. ALBANY New Yorks nursing home industry and federal officials are strongly encouraging nursing home employees in New York to get vaccinated for the coronavirus. A review of federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data by CNHI shows New York now ranks 20th among states in the percentage of nursing home staffers who have been immunized for COVID-19. Nearly 60% of New Yorks nursing home staffers have been vaccinated, compared to nearly 83% in Hawaii, the top-ranked state. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, had the best score on the vaccination rate chart, with 93% of facility staffers having gotten the shots. But New York could see the share of its nursing home employees who have been vaccinated climb if a newly adopted amendment to a COVID-19 testing rule for the staffers works as intended. The revision is designed to coax more of the workers to join the ranks of the vaccinated, said Stephen Hanse, president of the New York State Health Facilities Association, a nursing home industry group. The staffers who are vaccinated are no longer required to be tested for the virus twice per week if they have had their shots, Hanse noted. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. Honda Cars India is reportedly planning to hike prices of all its products offered in the country owing to a sharp increase in input costs. News agency PTI quoted a company official as saying that rising prices of commodities like steel and precious metals is making a price hike necessary. Rajesh Giel, Honda Cars India Senior Vice President and Director for Marketing and Sales, told PTI that rising input costs are making a price hike necessary. "The prices for raw materials like steel, aluminium and precious metals have increased sharply and many of them are at an all-time high, impacting our input costs significantly," he reportedly outlined. "Our endeavour is to keep the cost of acquisition lower, so we are currently deliberating on how much of the additional cost we can absorb and how much will be inevitable to be passed on to our customers." A number of OEMs had previously hiked prices for passenger vehicles and two-wheelers citing the same reason, earlier this year. Honda too had increased prices in the month of April and this will be the second such hike. The company's India product portfolio includes the successful Amaze and City sedans, among others. It isn't yet clear how the hike in prices would affect demand for passenger vehicles, something that has been on an upswing since lockdown restrictions began to be eased. Almost every major OEM reported a bounce back in sales in the month of June but almost every company is also underlining the need to be cautious. Factors such as rising input costs, global shortage in semiconductor chips and the threat of a possible third wave in the country have the potential of once again putting the brakes on the automotive industry which has been weaving through choppy waters for varying reasons since 2019. What followed was weeks of waiting and worrying, of a constant vigil by Emmalynns bedside. Meanwhile, police eventually charged her husband. Though reeling from her spouses betrayal, she said she was more overwrought by her daughters condition. Emmalynn was in a coma for nine days, during which she had a series of prolonged seizures. Trznadel said doctors were not hopeful that Emmalynn would live and, if she did, whether she would have any semblance of a normal life. They said if a seizure lasts more than three minutes, the possibility of brain damage is high and her seizures were lasting a lot longer than that and they were continuous, Trznadel said. (Doctors) had palliative care come in and tell me I needed to put her in a home (once she awoke from the coma) and I said, No, shes my daughter. I will take her home and do whatever I need to take care of her. Doctors told her that Emmalynn almost would assuredly be blind and might not even be able to feed herself, once out of the coma. Trznadel bristled at the negativity, but said she found solace and hope from two nurses in pediatric intensive care. Finding hope from caring nurses Im not going to tape a president, so Im not going to talk to a president. I didnt want to have a very rough call to my home on a Sunday night," Hickman told the Republic. Hickman and the rest of the Board of Supervisors, which is controlled 4-1 by Republicans, have aggressively defended the vote count in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and 60% of Arizona's voters. They have maintained the outcome was not affected by fraud or irregularities. State Senate Republicans used their subpoena power to take control of all 2.1 million ballots and the machines that counted them. A firm led by a Trump supporter who has shared far-fetched conspiracy theories is overseeing an audit for the Senate GOP. The most aggressive pressure came from Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who tried to convince Republicans on the board to question the election results, even as the officials tried to instill confidence in the them. At one point, she texted Hickman, "We need you to stop the counting. She tried to convince Hickman and Supervisors Steve Chucri and Bill Gates to call Trump attorney Sidney Powell, who filed lawsuits around the country alleging the election conspiracies. The lawsuits were all thrown out. The valid concern that over-centralization would be both dangerous and unworkable was true when there were 13 states and 4 million people, and it is even more true with 50 states and 330 million. Every four to eight years, our polarized political parties try to use our broken constitutional government to stick it to the other side. Why? Because they did it last time, so now it is their turn. Fundamentally, for understandable reasons, Americans dont feel represented in Washington, and that sentiment is manifesting as resentment and despondency at best, or elaborate and insane conspiracy theories at worst. It might seem like a relatively small group of people actually run our country, because its largely true. The president, agency heads, mid-level political appointees, and civil servants do most of the governing because Congress has continually asked them to. Its all quite disheartening and it might take an incredible act of political will almost akin to the ratification of the Constitution to work our way out of the quagmire were sliding deeper into. I am concerned over the voting attacks here in AZ. In addition to the fraudulent audit and voter intimidation, there are the state bills directly suppressing the vote and attacking our Secretary of State. I know Democrats in the Senate are working tirelessly to negotiate a bill that protects our freedom to vote. Yet even though the For the People Act has strong bipartisan support from the American people, Senate Republicans are defying the will of Americans by denying even a debate on the bill. It is critical that Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly do everything they can to protect our freedom to vote. We need federal legislation, as the states are working to take away our freedom to vote all over the country. What we need should include reducing long lines at polling locations, stopping voter intimidation, protecting election workers, protecting and expanding vote by mail, ensuring fair districts, and safeguarding the will of voters like me. We must continue the work of forming a more perfect union and this requires us to buckle down and demand equal justice and equal access to the ballot box for all. You must do what it takes to pass this legislation now. Thank you. ANNE HART Flagstaff Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Egyptian Streets, by MONA BASSEL (Excerpt: Bellies En Rout: Egypt's first foor tour company takes Heliopolis) Dynamite sandwiches. Photo credit: Mona Bassel This is one of the few places that actually curate the sandwich instead of throwing all the ingredients into the bread randomly, Laila Hassaballa says as she invites us to try the Dynamite Sandwich. Filled to the brim with hard boiled eggs, fried eggplant, french fries, green salad, mashed fuul, and tameyya (also known as falafel), my companions and I struggled to keep the ingredients from falling out. Hassaballa explains that not all Dynamite Sandwiches are created equal: They mash the fuul in a way that gives the fillings a creamy texture, and its the best thing to order at a fuul and tameyya place when you dont know what to order. After that first bite, I was immediately upset that its taken me 29 years of living in Cairo to get my hands on this concoction. Better late than never. This was only the first stop of the Bellies En Route Heliopolis food tour, and we were off to a wonderful start. Egypts First Food Tour Company Hassaballa is the co-founder of Bellies En Route, Egypts first food tour company, along with her partner Mariam Nezar. Originally graphic designers, the two women created the company after discovering their passion for introducing people to Egyptian culture through its cuisine in 2016. Egyptian food is underrated, so we wanted to use food as a medium to introduce our cuisine to people from all over the world, Hassaballa explains. The duo began by offering food tours in Downtown Cairo through TripAdvisor, where tourists would sample Egyptian cuisine at authentic local eateries over the course of four to five hours. The 74th Cannes Film Festival will be held from July 6 to 17 and feature many similar events to previous years, including film markets and workshops. Unlike previous festivals, in addition to more than 500 local screenings in France, the Cannes' film market, also the Marche du Film, will organize screenings in five major cities around the world for buyers who can't make it to Cannes: Melbourne, Mexico City, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. The market will offer more than 500 in-person screenings in its five partner cities, with some 30 productions having agreed to show films so far. About 15 screenings of Cannes finalists will be held in the Beijing France Cultural Center from July 8 to 16. The screenings will be limited to buyers, distributors, streaming platforms and festival programmers. All films will be original versions with English subtitles. The Cannes Film Festival was founded in 1946. It is held in the seaside city of Cannes in southern France in the middle of May every year and typically lasts about 12 days. Eight family doctors graduated on June 30 from the Montana Family Medicine Residency, based at RiverStone Health. These physicians completed three years of rigorous study and work at RiverStone Health, Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare. Founded in 1995, the residency was the first ever established in Montana and one of the first in the nation to be based at a community health center. There are 24 residents in training now and a majority of graduates continue to practice in Montana. Dr. Stephen Asay, M.D., will be moving to Worland, Wyo., to work at Hot Springs Health-Outpatient, Inpatient and Emergency. Dr. Shaleen Doctor, M.D., is moving to Woodburn, Ore., for a one-year fellowship in obstetrics. She plans to return to Montana after completing her fellowship. Dr. David Goodwin, M.D., will be moving to Helena to work as a hospitalist at St. Peters Health. Dr. Erin Hixson, M.D., has joined the Montana Family Medicine Residency as junior faculty and will continue as a staff physician at RiverStone Health Clinics. Dr. Andrew Lester, D.O., is moving to Townsend to work for St. Peters Health in an outpatient clinic. The two major fires in south-central Montana have begun to slow down over the weekend as fire crews have successfully built up containment lines, battling back the early season blazes. The Robertson Draw fire near Red Lodge has burned more than 29,000 acres by Sunday, but officials say 65% of the fire has been contained and is unlikely to expand unless renewed by a thunderstorm or high winds. The majority of fire area was in patrol status, a press release from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 stated. For the second day, very little smoke was generated from the northwest corner of the fire and air resources were not needed. The Carbon County Sheriff's Office removed all evacuation warnings for the fire. Since its major expansion on June 15, the fire has burned less than 8,000 acres, most of which has come from remote areas. On Saturday, a lightning strike caused a new fire just a mile south of the fire area near Robertson Draw road. Initial attack fire fighters managed to hold the new blaze to under one acre. Officials confirmed Sunday that has been the only fire started by lightning in the fire regions, though some strikes could take days before becoming visible. Its embarrassing, she said bluntly. I dont want to be seen as having a disability. In the small town of Miles City, Espy believes people would treat her differently and act as though she needed special attention. She just wants to be seen as herself and nothing more. Asked why she was talking publicly now about her injury and the lawsuit, Espy said her privacy was not as important as telling a truth she hoped would prevent future injuries to others. A point of despair As things got worse, she described feeling helpless and worthless, and figured she had nothing left to offer her family. Knowing that my condition was irreversible and progressive, Espy explained, I felt that I had no value and nothing left to offer as a mother or a wife or a friend or a professional." On a beautiful Sunday, she was outside in her yard with Clay and Mary Kate. "I realized I couldnt do something simple I cant tell you now what it is but I couldnt do it and I came in the house and went to the master bedroom and locked the door and got my pistol out and got in the shower. Following my career with the NPS Ive lived in Montana for over 15 years. Both work and retirement experiences have given me a firsthand look at how much Montanans value their public lands, especially our national parks. So Im thrilled to see that on the heels of the America the Beautiful Plan, the NPS has committed to the distribution of $150 million in funding to local communities through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. This program will help communities with the greatest needs to create new urban parks closer to home and breathe life into existing outdoor spaces so more people can spend more time outdoors. The attorney general of California recently announced that state employees would be prohibited from traveling to Montana due to our states discrimination against LGBTQ people. Indulging in the proud Montana tradition of mocking California, some politicians and activists had a good laugh about the ban. Sen. Steve Daines tweeted a snarky rejoinder, Republican radio host Aaron Flint had a good laugh, and plenty of other right-wing activists tried to get in dunks on Twitter. Discrimination is no joke. Neither is the economic impact when people decide to take their travel dollars elsewhere. This year, the Montana Legislature passed and Gov. Greg Gianforte signed laws to legalize discrimination, invade the privacy of LGBTQ Montanans, micromanage family health care decisions, and mandate government inspection of childrens genitals. This culture war against our friends, family and neighbor has literal life or death consequences. Are you kidding me? he said. You got to take that down to 3 feet, and we might have something going here. At his news conference, the mayor also pointed to illegal parking along the famed Hana Highway, a two-lane country road that winds its way along Mauis lush northern coast, with the ocean on one side and breathtaking valleys and waterfalls on the other. Tourists pull over to take pictures, blocking traffic and fueling worries about what would happen if a fire truck or ambulance couldn't pass. Mauis main airport in Kahului is also overcrowded, and its emergency services are taxed, Victorino said. Its the airlift that really drives all of this, he said, using an airline industry term for transporting people and cargo. Without airlift, people dont come. Victorino said he has asked airlines to voluntarily limit seats to Maui, but declined to say which he spoke to. The companies are under no obligation to do as he asks, and it's unclear if any would. Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Alex Da Silva said that as Hawaiis hometown airline, the company is conscious of the pressure the rebound in arrivals has put on infrastructure, natural resources and communities. But he also noted visitors are the engine of the states economic recovery. The property was bought by the city's nonprofit Buffalo Urban Development Corp. in June 2018 with the goal of "reimagining" the site out of "the community's desire to have something done with that building," said BUPC President Brandye Merriweather. Last month the city announced it had reached an agreement with the state to raze much of the two-story red brick structure. Merriweather said the city is continuing to assess the damage of the fire but that plans remain to have demolition begin this month. Tim Tielman, longtime Buffalo preservationist and the president of Campaign for Greater Buffalo, said the Crowley site is another example of neglect. "Beyond the facade, they've allowed everything to cave in you have absolutely nothing," said Tielman. "And that becomes to neighbors what's called an attractive nuisance kids can get back there and can get hurt, it becomes attractive to arsonists, people playing with fire. That also unfortunately is another indicator of failed urban policies." Preservationists point to Buffalo's many successful rehabilitated projects as evidence that stronger policies could yield even more. From the start of the year through May 22, shootings in the city were up 139% compared with the average over the past decade, according to a Buffalo News analysis of police data. From Jan. 1 through June 6, 144 people were shot in Buffalo. In 2020, the 355 people injured or killed in shootings in Buffalo represented an increase of 90% compared to 2019, when 188 people were shot. Homicides in Buffalo also are up: the 46 homicides over the first six months of 2021 were more than double the average over the same period for the last decade, according to another News analysis. The most recent violent weekend began early Saturday, just after midnight, when a 46-year-old Buffalo man was shot at an outdoor gathering on Butler Avenue, near Wohlers Avenue. Detectives also were looking into reports another person was wounded in the gunfire. Less than an hour later, a 19-year-old Hamburg woman was shot "in the leg and foot area" while outside on Clinton Street, near Babcock Street. Just after 2:45 p.m. Saturday, two men were shot in the 300 block of Cambridge Avenue, near East Delavan, in the city's Delavan-Grider neighborhood. Both had been listed in stable condition. Yet I learned early a realization in my gut long before I consciously worked through it, in my head that there were things you did not ask, and places you did not go, because whatever answers you hoped to learn at 10 or 15 or 20 seemed certain to be offered someday, someplace, when it was the right time. What I learned late was that life moves like lightning, and many things that seem forever disappear long before you are prepared, in any way. I went to college, met my wife-to-be, graduated and started moving around as we built our lives. My parents both died while I was in my mid-20s, gone before they had much of a chance to take the breath they had worked so hard to earn. Moving toward 35 years later, I still contemplate mysteries I wish I had asked about when I had the chance. Even after they were gone, many of their siblings and their longtime friends were still around, and I figured there was time to learn some answers. +3 Column: On Veterans Day, recalling a shared salute from 76 years ago George and Corrine Klein of Amherst make annual pilgrimages to remember their high school friend who was killed in the siege of Iwo Jima. That is a dangerous assumption. You raise your kids and go to work and do each day what you need to do, and you wake up one morning and you are 61, gray-haired, with the recognition that the end of World War II is now as far from us in the American past as the end of the Civil War was to my parents, on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Several years ago, I wrote a My View about my experience going to estate sales. I sometimes found it sad seeing the sum total of a persons life laid out on tables with little price stickers on them. I often saw evidence of a life in decline the walkers and canes. The kitchen and living room decor looked like the set of Leave it to Beaver. I thought my observations were poignant. A few days later, I stopped at a sale being run by the person who has been in the business longer than anyone in Western New York. I am sure youve seen the yellow Sandra Ziemer signs in your travels. They call her the Queen of Estate Sales, and she wasnt happy with me. She told me my essay was mean and said I should have talked about how she and her counterparts are a help to families, and said those families appreciated that their loved ones memories and treasures could be shared with others. I apologized and assured her that I never intended to be mean; I was going for poignant. It took awhile, but over the years weve sort of become friends, and I dont think she still considers me an ogre. Plus, I have purchased a lot of strangers memories and treasures; they are mostly in my garage. The head of Chad's military junta, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, left N'Djamena on Sunday for a "friendship and working visit" to France, according to a statement from his office. The 37-year-old four-star general has led the junta since the announcement in April that his father and veteran leader Idriss Deby Itno had been killed while leading troops against rebels in the north of the country. Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, president of the Military Transition Council (MTC), "left N'Djamena this morning headed for Paris", his office said in a statement which gave no details of his itinerary while in the French capital. A member of the Chadian delegation told the French AFP news agency that the general would have dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday. France, the former colonial power in Chad, becomes the third country visited by Deby, and the first outside Africa, after trips to Niger and Nigeria. Elections promised after transition The MTC has promised "free and transparent" elections after an 18-month transitional period, which could be extended. France and the African Union have urged that this period should not exceed 18 months. The Chadian army, along with French troops, is one of the main pillars of the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Macron was the only Western head of state to attend the funeral of Idriss Deby Itno and meet his son Mahamat. Macron recently announced a gradual pullout of French troops from the Sahel in favour of a smaller contingent focussed on anti-terrorism and supporting African armies. Alok Kumar, International working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (Photo/ANI) New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): International working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Alok Kumar on Sunday said Hindus and Muslims have the same DNA adding that differences come from politics. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "Mohan Bhagwat has said today that Hindus and Muslims of India are not different but the same. It is true that the element that binds us all is Indianness. We are all children of one mother. Our cultural flow and tradition are the same. All our systems are run by the Constitution made by Dr BR Ambedkar ji. The ideals given in the Constitution have been accepted by all. Hindus and Muslims have the same DNA. That is why there is no fundamental difference between us." The VHP leader said the Parishad welcomes the statement of Mohan Bhagwat. He said differences arise from politics. "Differences come from politics. At the time of independence, when Pakistan was declared an Islamic nation, our Constituent Assembly unanimously said that the people of all religions in India will have equal rights," stated Kumar. The VHP leader's statement came against the backdrop of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's address on Sunday at the launch of the book 'The Meetings of Minds: A Bridging Initiative, written by Dr Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmed. "The concept of Hindu-Muslim unity is misquoted because there is no difference between them as it has been proven that we are the descendants of the same ancestors from the last 40,000 years. People of India have the same DNA," Bhagwat said at the event. (ANI) (Bloomberg) -- Irans Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said his country has taken many measures to ensure it can raise crude production in a very short time if U.S. sanctions are lifted, the state-run Shana news agency reported. World powers have worked for months trying to broker an agreement between Iran and the U.S. that would restore Washingtons membership of the 2015 nuclear accord abandoned by former President Donald Trump in 2018. A revived deal would ease sanctions, triggering the return of Iranian barrels to the market. No date has been set for what would be a seventh round of talks. Despite the extraordinary challenges faced by the Iranian economy, the country can easily increase crude production to 6 million barrels a day, Zanganeh said, without detailing the preparations it has made or giving a precise time-frame. Irans daily production hasnt been at 6 million since the 1970s and is currently about 2.5 million barrels. Zanganehs comments come after a breakdown in oil-supply talks between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies last week, with demands from the United Arab Emirates blocking a deal. Negotiations are due to resume on Monday. Iran is exempt from OPEC+ production quotas while it remains under sanctions, but the prospect of an influx of Iranian supply into markets once the penalties are removed could weigh on prices if the cartel continues to ease supply curbs. Returning to the market and regaining market share isnt a difficult task, though there will be a lot of pressure on the oil ministry and the next oil minister, Zanganeh told Shana. Zanganeh said nothing will happen to global markets if Iranian exports spike after sanctions are lifted, because OPEC is wise enough, and the OPEC+ thats cooperating with OPEC are also wise people who will certainly understand and digest Irans return very well. The OPEC veteran is set to retire from politics after he leaves office in early August, when hardline president-elect Ebrahim Raisi takes over government. Zanganeh told Shana that he would be happy to advise the new administration, but hadnt offered any suggestions for his successor. Story continues I wanted Irans return to the oil market to happen under my watch because I know what path to take to become successful, he said. (Updates with further comments from Zanganeh starting in sixth paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Before his arrest Nnamdi Kanu had grown Ipob into a global organisation with marches such as this one in Italy The arrest of Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu has dealt a serious blow to his group, and could even spell the end of his movement. The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), a group that wants a breakaway state in south-east Nigeria, remains a cult hero to his hundreds of thousands of followers. For more than a decade, his fiery radio broadcasts and social media posts were thorns in the side of the Nigerian government but his transition to an armed struggle in 2020 was seen as a step too far. The armed wing of Ipob - the Eastern Security Network - has been accused of killing at least 60 people in recent months, most of them police officers, although the group denies the allegations. Mr Kanu's arrest on Sunday is seen as the final act by a government determined to quell the uprising. The images of his arrest, more than anything else, would have seriously undermined the confidence of even his staunchest supporters. It was not the first time the 53-year-old Jewish convert has been paraded in handcuffs, but unlike previous occasions his customary defiance was missing. His days-old grey beard gave him a dishevelled look that not even his Fendi designer clothes could mask. Mr Kanu was said to have turned the organisation into a one-man show, alienating some of his most trusted followers, and so there is now a leadership vacuum. "Money disputes and accusations that he didn't consult key stakeholders over the formation of an armed wing did not go down well with many," said the BBC Igbo's Chiagozie Nwonwu, who interviewed Mr Kanu in 2019 while in exile. One of those who fell out with Mr Kanu and left the organisation last year was his former deputy, Uche Mefor, a respected member of the group who took over when the leader was previously incarcerated. Allegations of misappropriation of donated funds have also led to the exit of loyal supporters in the US and UK. Locally, the spine of the movement is also gone, as battle-hardened members have either been killed or arrested by Nigeria's security forces. Story continues Deep-rooted sentiments remain Mr Kanu was seen by many as a dangerous propagandist, but he was also considered a lightning-rod for the discontent many Igbos still feel about Nigeria, decades after a three-year civil war between 1967 and 1970. Many Igbos feel sidelined in Nigerian politics and there are cries of marginalisation. Nigeria's third-largest ethnic group, they are yet to produce a president since the 1960s and accuse the federal government of neglecting their region. Map: Nigeria Igbo states These feelings have heightened since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power in 2015, and his rhetoric has not helped. He recently referenced the civil war while vowing to crush Ipob, prompting Twitter to delete his tweet, and in the past said those who gave him 5% of votes [such as the south-east] should not expect to be treated same as those that gave him 95%. Such comments helped propel Mr Kanu, a largely obscure figure despite his radio broadcasts, to fame. Any other president might have ignored him but not Mr Buhari, a stoic former military general famous for suffering no indiscipline even from civilians when he ruled in the 1980s. Mr Kanu was arrested in 2015 when he returned to Nigeria but this only boosted his profile. The man who had been dismissed as a rabble-rouser by many Nigerians, even within his ethnic group, became the most talked about Igbo person. Those who know him say it was the sort of attention he had been craving and once released on bail in 2017 he never looked back. Mysterious escape He formed the Biafran Security Services (BSS), a mock militia that dressed in black and held parades in the eastern city of Abia, his home state. His diatribes increased, accusing the president of harbouring plans to Islamise Nigeria and saying that President Buhari had been replaced by an impostor - Jubril from Sudan. Mr Buhari felt he had seen enough and after a court proscribed Ipob as a terrorist organisation, the army went in, carrying out an attack on Mr Kanu's home in September 2017. He mysteriously escaped. Many thought that was the end, but he reappeared in Europe in 2018 and the radio broadcasts resumed, this time latching on to Nigeria's farmers-herders crisis to fan ethnic tensions in the country. Last year, Mr Kanu saw an opening in the #EndSars protests against police brutality but many believe this was actually the start of his downfall. As thugs hijacked the demonstrations across Nigeria, Mr Kanu ordered his supporters to attack police stations. For someone that had openly been against an armed struggle in the early days of Ipob, it is hard to know what changed. Many suspect that the 2017 attack on his house and death of members influenced his decision to arm the group. Men in black clothes and red berets In late 2020 he resurrected the BSS and rechristened it the Eastern Security Network (ESN). While BSS was a mock militia, the ESN was closer to the real deal. Members, dressed in black attire and red berets, were trained in the south-east's forests, there was a chain of command, and more importantly they had AK-47 rifles which had been stolen from police stations. Between September 2020 and May 2021, there was a wave of attacks on police stations and other public facilities in the south-east which authorities blamed on Ipob. In March, the army went in and began taking out ESN camps and commanders, turning the region on its head. For most people, especially young people sympathetic to the Ipob cause, the army operation was an eye-opener about what war looked like. Businesses were closed, curfews imposed and people walked with their hands above their heads when they approached army checkpoints. At this point, sentiments started to turn against Ipob and its leader and with his arrest, he joins other Igbo separatists who have lost against the Nigerian state. But he is unlikely to be the last until the root causes of the grievances felt by many living in south-eastern Nigeria are addressed. Gas on America's flames. Illustrated | iStock Last week, I noted that on June 27, Canada smashed its all-time heat record with a temperature of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, besting the previous record by three whole degrees. It turns out that was just the start: The same small town of Lytton that broke the national record broke it again the next day by hitting 118 degrees, and a third time the following day with a temperature of 121.3 degrees or more than eight degrees higher than any previous recorded temperature in Canadian history. "This is the most anomalous regional extreme heat event to occur anywhere on Earth since temperature records began. Nothing can compare," weather historian Christopher Burt told Yale Climate Connections. The heat roasted the forests surrounding Lytton, accelerating wildfires that produced their own "pyroculmulus" storms, creating more lightning and even more blazes. The day after setting the record, fire ripped through Lytton and burned it to the ground just 15 minutes after the first appearance of smoke. During that same period last week, Greenpeace published a recording of an ExxonMobil lobbyist, Keith McCoy, in which he boasted about working with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and the Biden administration to weaken Democrats' climate policy, discussed the company's role in funding climate denial, and suggested the company's support of a carbon tax is purely a "talking point" because they expect it will never happen. (The company denied this was true, but there's no reason to take their word for it.) All Americans are implicated in climate change to some degree. As a country, the U.S. has for decades contributed several times the global average of per capita emissions. But a relative handful of people principally corporate executives at large fossil fuel companies, their major shareholders, company apparatchiks who hand bribes to politicians, and those that accept those bribes bear the overwhelming majority of the responsibility. Their amoral greed is directly implicated in the climate disasters that are killing thousands of people already, and will soon be killing millions. Story continues At least several hundred people in western North America were killed by the heat wave at time of writing, perhaps 320 deaths in Canada and 75 in the United States were being linked to the heat, with likely more remaining to be discovered. Estimates of the costs of melted or broken infrastructure have not yet been compiled, but are sure to be enormous. It was an awful disaster. Yet in some ways, it was lucky the heat wave struck where it did. Canada and the U.S. are both rich, and not too many people live in that part of either country. If the same scale of heat wave had hit a poor, densely populated country, the death toll would be exponentially greater. Science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson's recent book The Ministry of the Future opens with a gripping, terrifying account of a near-future heat wave in India that kills 20 million people in a matter of weeks. Absent a Second World War-scale global policy mobilization that is nowhere in sight, something like Robinson's scenario is absolutely certain to happen somewhere on the planet, sooner or later. Here's why: Beyond a "wet-bulb" temperature of about 95 degrees (the combined heat and humidity level at which the body can no longer cool itself by sweating), no human being can survive for long and even the healthiest person sitting motionless in the shade will cook themselves to death from the inside within a few hours. A study from last year found that big chunks of humanity live in places that routinely get quite close to the self-cooking mark, that two particular places (located on the Persian Gulf and in Pakistan) have already seen brief spikes over it, and that the frequency of these extreme heat events is increasing fast almost everywhere. This is also happening much faster than previous climate models predicted, which held that such temperatures would not be reached until the last quarter of this century. As we are seeing today, though, it does not even take truly extreme heat to kill people. The 2003 heat wave in Europe killed over 70,000 people, and one that hit Russia in 2010 killed about 11,000. Neither got even close to the metabolic limit. Someday, probably within the next decade or two, an ultra-severe heat wave is going to strike a heavily populated region without the resources to cool off its citizens, and millions will die. And heat is just one of dozens of ways drought, flooding, sea level rise, crop failures, and so on that climate change will kill people. ExxonMobil and its fossil-fuel competitors know all this perfectly well. The company knew the basic science of climate change beyond any doubt by 1979 at the latest, from its own research and the work of other scientists. At that point it chose to spend tens of millions of dollars on an enormously successful campaign to sow doubt about what its own data was telling them (following the similarly-murderous strategy of the tobacco industry). The reason, you see, is that doing otherwise would have dented their profits. "Did we join some of these 'shadow groups' to work against some of the early efforts? Yes, that's true. But there's nothing illegal about that," McCoy told the Greenpeace activists. "You know, we were looking out for our investments, we were looking out for our shareholders." The United States is both the biggest historical contributor to climate change and the only rich country where a major political party outright denies the truth about what is happening. The biggest reason for that is the propaganda campaign executed by ExxonMobil and other deep-pocketed fossil fuel interests, like the Koch family, who successfully convinced conservatives that climate change was fake liberal nonsense. Well over half of global greenhouse gas emissions have happened since 1990, when the U.S. was the unchallenged global hegemon. If America had done what was obviously in the best interest of itself and all humanity at that point, and led a global movement away from carbon energy, heading off climate change would have been massively cheaper and easier. But that would have been expensive and inconvenient for wealthy fossil fuel executives, so they decided to boil the planet. Millions and millions of deaths are the certain and easily foreseen consequence. You may also like Republicans on Jan. 6 select committee will reportedly try to blame Nancy Pelosi for the Capitol riot Rescue cat makes it to the top of New Hampshire's 48 tallest mountains Anti-woke zealots are trying to politically purge the military Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday expressed dismay over some well-known government officials' misplaced prioritiesfocusing on their 2022 election bids instead of the country's ongoing COVID-19 bout. In her weekly radio show Biserbisyong Leni, she said popular individuals in Philippine politics are non-stop in making a noise not only for themselves, but also their political leanings. "Nakikita mo 'yun ngayon, 'yung mga malalaking pulitiko, may election o walang election, election ang nasa isip," she said during her weekly radio show Biserbisyong Leni. [Translation: You can see that now, those big politicianseven with or without an electionalways think of election.] As the COVID-19 situation continues to overwhelm the country, Robredo hopes that politicians would focus on what matters mostto lessen the blow of the virus and help Filipinos survive the pandemic. The Vice President also pointed out that government officials should be free from biases when making decisions. "Nalulungkot lang ako. Dapat 'yung election, after ng election season, kalimutan mo na kung sino ang tumulong at hindi tumulong (noong kumpanya). Oras na 'yun ang maging pamantayan mo, ang lugi ay ang taumbayan," she said. [Translation: This saddens me. After the election season, you should forget who helped and did not help (during the campaign). But once you set that as your standard, people will suffer.] Citing her experience, she claimed her office could do more in helping Filipinos if only the top offices could consider her as an ally, not an enemy. "Kapag nakaupo na, lahat na ay kakampi mo. Ito sa pag-VP ko, ang dami ko sanang kayang gawin. Pero dahil pulitika ang nasa isip, ang tingin sa akin ay kalaban," she said. [Translation: Once you assume the position, everyone in the government is already on your side. When I became a VP, I could do so much more. But because they think of politics, they see me as an enemy.] 'No decision yet' on 2022 elections Asked about her plans for 2022 national elections, Robredo said she has yet to decide given the situation, stressing her office is focused on efforts to combat the pandemic. READ: VP Robredo says presidential run in 2022 'possible' but prefers local post "Kapag mayroon na akong decision, sa akin 'yun manggagaling. Ang katotohanan ay nandun tayo sa proseso na ina-assess natin ang mga bagay, ang daming considerations," she said. [Translation: If I already made my decision, you'll hear it from me. The truth is we're still in the process of assessing things, considerations.] (CNN) -- Millions of Americans have their lives and livelihoods back and are basking in a summer of freedom. But a divided nation's varied faith in vaccines and a more infectious Delta variant of the coronavirus are thwarting hopes of a full declaration of independence from the pandemic. US President Joe Biden long ago named the Fourth of July as the moment when citizens would escape the clutches of the virus -- if the country united in one last huge effort to follow health guidelines and embraced the vaccine rollout. Biden fell short of his target of 70% of American adults getting at least one dose of vaccine by the holiday. In a briefing this week, Jeff Zients, the White House Covid-19 response coordinator, said that more than 180 million Americans -- and 67% of adults -- had received at least one shot. There are fears that the disease hasn't been sufficiently suppressed to avoid new spikes of infections this summer or when the weather turns cold. Still, it is indisputable that the country is in far better shape than this time last year -- or even six months ago. Cities are buzzing and the sudden bounce back in demand from travelers and diners has stunned a sector that was not prepared to handle the influx as labor shortages persist. Even the cruise industry, the early symbol of the threat as ships full of voyagers fell sick, is getting ready to slip its moorings. New Covid-19 cases are averaging around 12,600 a day, far lower than the 250,000-level recorded in the painful days of winter. Deaths are also lower than they were. But despite the vastly improved picture, an average of 257 Americans are dying every single day, according to the seven-day average tracked this week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though the nation will miss the vaccination benchmark Biden set out months ago, the President touted the success of his administration's response Friday -- which is a sharp contrast from former President Donald Trump's months-long neglect of the pandemic as he concentrated on disputing a fair election at the end of his term. The Trump administration does deserve credit, however, for overseeing speedy development of the vaccines that the Biden administration has rolled out. Just in time for a patriotic holiday celebration, Biden heralded new government statistics that showed the US economy added 850,000 jobs in June, marking the strongest month for job gains since August 2020. The data outpaced analysts' expectations and delivered a boost to both the economy and the President after several sets of monthly employment figures gave Republicans ammunition to argue his big-spending pandemic rescue plan was actually hobbling job growth. The President hailed "historic progress pulling our economy out of the worst crisis in 100 years," and he said the economic growth was "driven in part by our dramatic progress in vaccinating our nation and beating back the pandemic." "Yes, we have more work to do to get America vaccinated and everyone back to work," Biden said, alluding to the 5.9% unemployment rate. "We are aiming for full employment, and that means keeping our pace on job growth, including for Black, Hispanic and Asian workers. But this progress is testament to our commitment to grow this economy from the bottom up and the middle out." Disparities in vaccine uptake raise concern about 'two Americas' But for all of Biden's optimism about a full recovery from the pandemic, there will be two very different July Fourth realities in this deeply polarized nation this weekend. Fireworks, family visits and parties are safe for those who are fully vaccinated and can safely gather, according to public health officials. But there is a zone of high risk for the unvaccinated in vast swaths of the heartland, where mass events remain a danger. The two realities reflect the still-polarized nature of the pandemic -- and the fact that some of the most vulnerable have ignored public health guidance for cultural and political reasons. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has cited his frustration about the growing gulf between what he has said could develop into "two Americas" -- one where vaccination rates are high and the other where as few as 35% of the people are vaccinated. "You clearly have a high risk of seeing spikes in those selected areas," Fauci told CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday night. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the Baylor College of Medicine's National School of Tropical Medicine, worries about "two Covid nations." He has argued that states where high percentages of the population are vaccinated -- like Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine -- may be able to withstand the Delta variant. But in other places, like southern Missouri, he said in an interview on CNN's "Newsroom" Wednesday, where a small percentage of the population is vaccinated and the Delta variant is raging, "a lot of people are now going into intensive care units." "I think the CDC is trying too hard to make a one-size-fits-all policy recommendation," Hotez said on CNN. "I think we have to look at the country by region and look at what I would call force of infection -- how much the epidemic is raging -- and then fine-tune our guidance." CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky highlighted the marked difference in vaccination rates in various parts of the country during the administration's Covid-19 briefing on Thursday, noting that about 1,000 counties in the United States have vaccination coverage of less than 30%, creating significant vulnerabilities in those communities, which are primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. It is in those places that the US is seeing a surge in cases and hospitalizations, due to what Walensky said was likely the combination of the spread of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. Underscoring the potential risk, Walensky said early data suggests that nearly all the Covid-19 deaths over the past six months were in unvaccinated people. While urging the unvaccinated to wear masks and avoid crowds this holiday weekend, she encouraged those in vulnerable communities to get vaccinated: "The suffering and loss we are now seeing is nearly entirely avoidable." American parents with young children are part of a different vaccination divide. With vaccines still unavailable for those under 12, families with young kids are living in a different reality -- often still masking up -- particularly in areas where the Delta variant is spreading rapidly. In California, for example, the Covid-19 positivity rate has doubled in recent weeks, and the Delta variant represents 36% of all new Covid-19 cases, State Public Health Officer Tomas Aragon said Friday. Political divide on vaccines defies any easy solution Ironically, some of the quintessentially American traits that are indirectly celebrated on July Fourth -- independence, distrust of authority and, above all, the fierce instinct to protect individual liberty, are among those that have held the country back from fully conquering the virus within its own borders. Early in the pandemic, Trump played into these characteristics, by downplaying the need to wear masks, for example, as he tried to politicize the virus in the service of his reelection campaign. He carved out the role of an effective voice for his base by undermining mask recommendations even as he announced them from the White House. In retrospect, the ex-President might have saved tens of thousands of lives had he had a different attitude. And widespread distrust of public health guidance that he helped foster is still an impediment to beating the pandemic. As of Friday, 18 states had met Biden's goal, with 70% of their adult populations having received at least one dose, according to a CNN analysis of CDC vaccination data: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. They were all states Biden won in the 2020 election. The prospect for the winter is a grim one -- in places -- public health experts say. The US could be looking at high rates of infection in Trump states where vaccine penetration is low. Ultimately this could not just cause a terrible humanitarian toll, it also could hamper Biden's hopes of declaring the pandemic over -- a key goal for his 2022 midterm pitch to help Democrats maintain control of Congress. As a Democratic President, Biden cannot penetrate the conservative media bubble, which means he can't just fix this by setting targets and giving speeches. The White House is sending response teams to several low-vaccine states to target the Delta variant, officials said on Thursday. For all the distance we have come, there are fears that it's still possible to slip back -- especially in the South and Midwest, where millions of Americans have spurned the vaccines that could give them their lives back. Zients on Thursday touted the administration's vaccine rollout and said the administration had exceeded its expectations of where it would be by July Fourth, despite missing the original goal. He said the administration will celebrate the progress on July Fourth but that the work won't stop: "Our resolve to reach those who have not yet gotten their shot is only strengthened because of the spread of the Delta variant." This story was first published on CNN.com "Vaccination disparities reflect 'two Americas' this July 4th". (CNN) At least two people are dead and some 20 people are missing after a mudslide swept across a seaside city around 60 miles southwest of Tokyo, sweeping away homes amid Japan's rainy season. Footage posted on social media showed the powerful black mudslide shoot down a mountainside, engulfing homes and infrastructure as locals watched in horror. The giant mudslide in Atami, Shizuoka prefecture, which occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, came after parts of the region were hit by torrential rain. An Atami city official confirmed to CNN that two women had died in the landslide. Police and firefighters have been searching for the missing and so far, 10 people have been rescued in Atami city. Operations stopped overnight and resumed on Sunday at 6 a.m. local time, with 700 people from the police, fire department service and Japan Self-Defense Forces assisting. As of 6:30 a.m., some 380 people have been evacuated, and 10 evacuation centers have been opened in the city, the Atami city official said. More than 80 houses were swept away in the mudslide, Atami City's Fire Disaster and Management Agency said. Sakae Saito, the mayor of Atami city, told reporters that up to 100 to 300 households were affected. About 2,830 households in the city lost power, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company. By Sunday, power had mostly been restored in Shizuoka. The government has set up a task force to respond to the disaster and collect information as heavy rainfall sweeps areas along the Pacific coast in central and eastern Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed his condolences to the victims of the landslide and stressed that emergency workers were doing their utmost to save lives, rescue people and help with evacuations. Heita Kawakatsu, the governor of Shizuoka prefecture, expressed his "deepest sympathies" to those affected by the landslide and to "those who have been forced to evacuate," he told a Saturday press conference. Kawakatsu warned that more rain is expected and said residents should watch out for further landslides. "There are many places where the ground is loose, so please evacuate from dangerous places, listen to information from the city and town, and make sure you and your family are safe," he said. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a message of support to the Japanese government on Twitter Saturday, saying Taiwanese people "were shocked and extremely saddened by the news footage that was broadcast. If Japan needs it, we are ready to provide assistance." So far, evacuation orders have been issued for people in areas surrounding Tokyo, as well as in Shizuoka, and Aichi prefectures, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK. The authorities have issued landslide warnings for parts of Shizuoka, Kanagawa, Chiba and Yamanashi prefectures, NHK reported. The rain front is expected to move toward the Sea of Japan coast over the weekend, with areas along the coast forecast to see torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency, which also warned of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas. Japan is prone to landslides, averaging up to 1,500 landslides annually in the past decade an almost 50% increase compared to the previous 10 years, according to a 2020 Japanese government report. Flooding related disasters, like landslides, are a traditional yet serious risk to the country. This is because half of the Japanese population and 75% of the country assets are concentrated in flood-prone areas, according to experts. "Japan has a whole lot of risk factors leading to landslides. For instance, it's prone because of its mountainous terrain and a lot of places where the soil is volcanic ash, which is not as strong," seismologist Robert Geller, professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo, told CNN. A rise in rainfall due to global warming is increasing the risk of devastating mudslides. "Global warming is making everything worse and is increasing the frequency of rainfall that can cause damaging landslides," Geller added. "The rainy season is going to last for another week or 10 days. Because of global warming, we're probably getting more rainfall now than we normally do." This story was forst published on CNN.com, "About 20 people missing and 2 dead after mudslide wipes out homes in Japan's Atami city." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) At least 45 people were killed after a Philippine Air Force C-130 plane carrying over 90 passengers crashed in a Sulu town on Sunday, the military reported. The Joint Task Force Sulu said the death toll among army personnel as of 5:30 p.m. is at 42. The Department of National Defense also reported three fatalities among civilians on the ground, as authorities continue search and rescue operations. According to the military, the incident happened at 11:30 a.m. in Barangay Bangkal in Patikul, Sulu. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said onboard the aircraft were three pilots, five crew members, and the rest were soldiers traveling to Jolo, Sulu from Cagayan de Oro. Based on initial information, the plane overshot the runway as it tried to land at the Jolo airport and crashed in the nearby town of Patikul, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said. Forty-nine wounded soldiers have so far been rescued and hospitalized, five others remain unaccounted for, while four civilians also sustained injuries. "Per eyewitnesses, a number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground sparing them from the explosion," JTF Sulu said. It added that troops and civilian volunteers rushed to the site for search and rescue minutes after the crash. Some of those injured are being treated at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo town, while others had to be brought to Zamboanga for further treatment. The military said the passengers include new soldiers about to be deployed to Sulu as part of the government's anti-terrorism campaign. "We remain to be hopeful that we could find more survivors," JTF Sulu Commander MGen. William Gonzales said. In a statement, Malacanang said it is "deeply saddened" by the crash, adding "we are one in praying for the safe recovery of the passengers." Lorenzana also called on the public to refrain "from spreading highly speculative statements" on the incident amid claims that equipment purchased by the military are defective. Less than two weeks ago, a newly acquired S-70i Black Hawk Utility helicopter of the air force also crashed during a night flight training near Capas, Tarlac killing three pilots and three crew members. "With the investigations of the past mishaps still ongoing, such speculations are as of yet baseless and disrespectful to the affected men and women of the Philippine Air Force, AFP and their families," the Defense chief said. In a tweet, Lorenzana also said he has already ordered a full investigation into the incident, which will begin "as soon as the rescue and recovery operation is completed." CNN Philippines Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) - The country logged 5,966 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the nationwide tally to 1,436,369, the Department of Health's latest bulletin showed. Of the total, 52,708 or 3.7% are active cases or people currently sick - with 91.1% experiencing mild symptoms, 3.8% asymptomatic, 1.4% critical, 2.1% in severe condition, and 1.54% having moderate symptoms. The death toll rose to 25,149 or 1.75% of the total case count after 86 new fatalities were reported. The number of survivors also climbed to 1,358,512 or 94.6% of the nationwide tally after 6,987 recovered. The DOH said 16 duplicates were removed from the nationwide tally, including nine recoveries. It added that 130 cases previously reported as recoveries have been validated to be active, while 27 others previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation. All laboratories were operational on July 2 but one laboratory failed to submit its data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System. Based on data in the last 14 days, the non-reporting laboratory contributed, on average, 0.21% of samples tested and 0.06% of positive cases. The daily positivity rate or percentage of people who tested positive stood at 11.5% based on 43,999 tests done on July 2. The World Health Organization recommended that positivity rates be below 5% as higher numbers may mean high transmission. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs received no new reports on COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad. To date, the total number of infections is 20,881, the death toll at 1,237, and recoveries at 12,375. (CNN) -- There's a new TikTok star, and his name is Dr. Anthony Fauci. "Tell all of your TikTok buddies to get vaccinated," Fauci said this week in a video posted on TikTok by Nia Sioux, the social media and former "Dance Moms" star. "I will, I'll tell all my besties," Sioux replied. In the latest push from the White House and the US Department of Health and Human Services to boost youth vaccination rates, Fauci -- who has become a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic through his role as the nation's top infectious diseases expert -- this week joined a number of TikTok personalities for a series of conversations about the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine. TikTok -- the short-form video app used by many young Americans -- soared in popularity during the early days of the pandemic, and influencers on the platform have amassed major audiences. By chatting with a group of TikTokers -- who had between 794,000 and 24.1 million followers -- Fauci went directly to young Americans across the country via their phone screens to answer questions and dispel common myths about the vaccine. "There are multiple myths going on out there, from anything from aliens taking over your body to becoming magnetic to get[ting] a chip injected in you. It's all nonsense, so please help us debunk that stuff," Fauci said in a conversation with Mia Finney, who is 22 years old and a recent graduate of the University of Southern California. For her part, Finney -- who has 6.4 million followers on TikTok -- said talking to Fauci was "kind of a surreal experience." Finney said she wanted to talk to Fauci because she knows a lot of young people who are hesitant to get the vaccine or don't know if they should get vaccinated because they already had Covid-19. "If you get Covid, recover and then get vaccinated, your level of protection will be extremely high. The (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) still recommends that even though you've been infected that you should get vaccinated for the extra degree of protection," Fauci told her. "I think it was important for me to give people that information," Finney said. "At the end of the day, it's everyone's right to get the vaccine or not, but the fact that I was able to provide information for them I think was the greatest impact that I had." Kevin Munoz, a White House spokesperson, said the White House along with HHS helped connect Fauci to influencers with large youth audiences in an attempt at reaching that demographic. The push on the social media platform comes after the White House last week acknowledged the US would fall short of President Joe Biden's July Fourth Covid-19 vaccination goals, saying the country has more work to do to get younger Americans vaccinated. The President had aimed to get 70% of US adults at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot by Independence Day. According to the CDC, as of Friday before the holiday weekend, 67% of US adults had had at least one shot. Vaccine coverage among young adults has been lower and is increasing more slowly than in other age groups in the United States, and the intent to be vaccinated is lower among younger adults, according to studies published last month by the CDC. If the weekly pace of vaccinations continues at the same rate as the week of May 22, only 57.5% of adults under age 30 will have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of August. From the White House Covid-19 College Vaccine Challenge -- an initiative to get colleges involved in the push to vaccinate young Americans -- to a partnership with Snapchat and incentives such as free bagels, burritos and meditations for those who have been vaccinated, the Biden administration has taken a number of steps to reach young Americans with information about the importance of getting the vaccine. The White House also built a Covid-19 student community corps to equip young people with tools to go into their communities and talk about getting vaccinated. "The goal of the student community corps is to one, recognize the power that young people have to not only get vaccinated, but to help their peers get vaccinated. And it's also to recognize that inherent in that power is the fact that young people often want to hear from other young people," Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said last month. Like the students involved in the corps, TikTokers have the ability to share information with their followers. Abby Howard, who along with her husband, Matt, has gained traction for couples content on TikTok, said the couple's main goal in posting a video with Fauci was to relay accurate information about the vaccine. "There's so much misinformation, and we just want to be a part of sharing good information. People can do with that information what they will, but that was our approach in doing so. Hopefully many will see, and the information will lead to more younger people getting vaccinated," she said. This story was first published on CNN.com "'Tell all your TikTok buddies to get vaccinated': Fauci finds a new way to fight Covid-19". (CNN) Jacob Zuma and his lawyers successfully delayed the former South African president's prison sentence for contempt of court on Saturday when the country's top court agreed to hear his application for a review of their decision to sentence him to 15 months in prison. In the application, 79-year-old Zuma and his lawyers claimed that the sentence threatened his life and that the Constitutional Court's decision was unfair to their client. This comes after Zuma was ordered to hand himself in to a police station in his hometown Nkandla or Johannesburg by the end of this Sunday. Failing that, the police were given three days to bring him in. The Constitutional Court hearing will take place on July 12. Some legal analysts say the application is highly unlikely to succeed, but it buys Zuma more time. On Tuesday, July 6, a High Court in Pietermaritzburg will hear a separate application from Zuma to stay his committal to prison by the Constitutional Court but given the decision to hear the rescission request, legal experts believe it could inform their decision on whether to have Zuma arrested. 'Teflon president' On Saturday, supporters of Zuma gathered at his rural homestead at Nkandla. At one point the man known as the "Teflon President," left the compound surrounded by Amabutho Zulu leaders in traditional dress to survey the area. "If he is arrested we are going to war," one supporter yelled in Zulu. The decision from the court came down soon after suspended Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Ace Magashule, arrived at Nkandla to consult with the former president. Zuma's ongoing legal troubles are seen as a key test of South Africa's constitutional democracy. Zuma was found in contempt of court on Tuesday over his refusal to appear at an anti-corruption commission to answer questions about his alleged involvement in corruption during his time as President. The commission has revealed extensive allegations of government corruption during Zuma's Presidential tenure. Zuma has repeatedly denied the allegations. In a scathing judgment handed down at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, Justice Sisi Khampepe said Zuma attempted to corrode the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court by conducting a "politically motivated smear campaign" against it, the Commission and the judiciary. In response, Zuma's Foundation said judges are not above the law. "He has always insisted that he must be treated like every other citizen, and his rights to equal protection of the laws must be respected and protected," the foundation's statement issued late Wednesday said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Former South African president Jacob Zuma delays prison deadline with last ditch legal maneuver." (CNN) -- Search and rescue efforts at the partially collapsed South Florida condo will temporarily pause as officials prepare for the demolition of the building's remaining units, officials said Saturday. The search and rescue operation paused at 4 p.m., Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference Saturday evening. Officials are waiting on instructions from the engineers who are inspecting the site and will resume search and rescue when they are cleared to do so. Levine Cava did not provide a timeline for the planned demolition, but officials said earlier a crew could demolish the remaining units of Champlain Towers South as soon as Sunday, ahead of the approaching Tropical Storm Elsa. Otherwise, Elsa's winds, which might reach the area early next week, could topple the structure unsafely, officials said. "So it has been determined ... as the process is underway that we need to put a temporary pause," Levine Cava said. "And we are continuing to receive updates about the condition of the standing structure and we will begin the search and rescue once again on any sections of the pile that are safe to access as soon as we are cleared." Nearly 55 of the 136 units of the Champlain Towers South, in Surfside just north of Miami Beach, pancaked to the ground in the early hours of June 24. The number of confirmed deaths remains at 24, Levine Cava said, and 121 people are unaccounted for. Authorities identified two additional victims in a news release Saturday night: Graciela Cattarossi, 48 and Gonzalo Torre, 81. One victim has not yet been identified. A 7-year-old girl was not identified by authorities but was identified by her family Saturday. While the demolition will temporarily halt search and rescue operations in the rubble of the already-collapsed portions, searchers could resume work without fear of the standing portion coming down on them Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said at an earlier news conference. "I think as early as tomorrow (Sunday)" the standing portions could be demolished, Burkett said. Officials' previous thinking about the timeline -- that it couldn't be done before Elsa arrived -- changed after they spoke late Friday with a demolition expert who indicated it could be done sooner, Levine Cava said. "We're still very hopeful that we can do the demolition before the storm," she said Saturday evening. "We are proceeding as quickly as we possibly can." The forecast track for Elsa is uncertain, but even if it's centered well west of Surfside as currently predicted, its windy outer bands could hit Surfside and southeastern Florida by Tuesday, forecasters say. Levine Cava on Friday signed an order allowing crews to demolish the remaining structure -- but at the time said it could be weeks before the demolition could happen. Demolition plans still were being made, but they would aim to take the standing portions straight down with charges, Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said Saturday morning. The demolition would have "a very narrow footprint" so evacuations in the area are not planned, besides temporarily moving the rescuers from the rubble, Levine Cava said. Already-searched areas of the rubble would be covered before the demolition, Cominsky said. Controlled Demolition Inc. would be in charge of the demolition, and has done large demolitions in the past, Levine Cava said. Search and rescue operations continued Saturday at the site, where teams have been scouring concrete rubble up to 16 feet deep. Late Friday, a county attorney said in a court filing that the remaining portion of the building is not structurally sound and is behaving in ways that indicate it may fall down. Search and rescue crews were under "immediate threat" due to the building's instability and Tropical Storm Elsa, which currently is in Caribbean, said David Murray, the attorney for Miami-Dade County. Murray's court filing said a collapse of the remaining structure would "cause the release of hazardous household materials, particulate matter, and will pose fire risk." "An uncontrolled collapse of the structure -- which is surrounded by residential property, and which is currently being worked and secured by hundreds of fire rescue personnel, police officers, and other government employees -- poses significant risk to human life and property," Murray wrote in the filing. Fire department confirm member's child found in the rubble A 7-year-old girl who died in the collapse was the daughter of a member of the Miami Department of Fire and Rescue, officials said Friday. Members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team on Florida Task Force 2 recovered the girl's body Thursday night, Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban said in a statement. The girl's father did not find her body, officials said, adding that other team members alerted him Thursday night. A relative, Nicole Mejias, identified the girl as Stella Cattarossi, who Mejias said was found dead in the rubble with her mother, Graciela Cattarossi. Mejias said five of her family members were in the building when it collapsed, and three others remain unaccounted for: Stella's grandparents Gino and Graciela Cattarossi -- whom Stella and her mother lived with -- and her aunt, Andrea Cattarossi. Mejias said Andrea was visiting from Argentina, where she has three sons. "We just miss them so much already," Mejias told CNN. "We wish this tragedy didn't happen and will always remember them." Capt. Ignatius Carroll, a spokesperson for Florida Task Force 2, told CNN in an interview Saturday that it was "very difficult" finding the girl, since she was the child of one of their "brother firefighters." But it gave the girl's family "peace of mind," he said. "And that's the goal that we have with everybody that's out there on that pile, trying to do their best in this continued search effort to reunite families with their loved ones," Carroll said. Officials Friday released the names of three people who died in the collapse. Bonnie Epstein, 56; Claudio Bonnefoy, 85 and Maria Obias-Bonnefoy, 69 were recovered over the past two days. Condo association challenges Max Friedman, a former member of the condo association, told CNN Friday that board resignations -- largely over how to find the $15 million that was needed to fix the building's many structural issues -- held up the much-needed repairs. "I would never quit a board -- I think that's terrible," said Friedman, who was a member from 2011 until 2016 and lives in Manhattan. When asked about the general sentiment among residents, he said, "there was confusion" and he personally felt the resignations of board members were "inappropriate." As the investigation continues into what led to the partial collapse, public scrutiny has turned to the condo board and its response to a 2018 report citing "major structural damage." "We know that answers will take time as part of a comprehensive investigation and we will continue to work with city, state, local, and federal officials in their rescue efforts, and to understand the causes of this tragedy," the board said Friday in a statement. Still, Friedman was careful to note that he didn't think the board could have possibly known that the building was in immediate danger. "The township didn't tell us," said Friedman, referring to Prieto, who was Surfside's building official at the time. Friedman described Champlain Towers South as a tight-knit community of residents from all over the world. He said one of the residents he was close with is among the confirmed dead, and other friends are unaccounted for. "Every civil engineer from here to the moon is now drawing conclusions," Friedman said. "Eventually, it'll be determined what caused this." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Search and rescue efforts at collapsed Surfside condo paused for demolition preparation" (CNN) -- Jobless residents of Maryland and Texas have filed lawsuits in state courts seeking to force their governors to reinstate pandemic unemployment benefits. They join an effort begun by out-of-work Indiana residents, who have yet to see their payments restart despite a court ruling last week ordering the state to continue the benefits. A judge in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday morning requiring the state to continue paying the benefits that were set to end that day. The three states are among the 26 states that are terminating early at least one of the three pandemic unemployment insurance programs Congress enacted in March 2020 and extended twice to support people during the coronavirus-fueled economic downturn. In addition to the $300 weekly supplement, the federal programs provide benefits to freelancers, the self-employed, independent contractors and certain people affected by the coronavirus and to those who have exhausted their regular state benefits. Some 4.1 million Americans will be affected, according to The Century Foundation. Citing workforce shortages, the governors argue the expanded benefits are keeping the unemployed from accepting job offers -- though there is not much evidence showing that more people are rejoining the labor market after their benefits stop. The payments ended on June 19 in Indiana and June 26 in Texas. The three pandemic unemployment programs are scheduled to expire in early September in the states that are continuing them, under a provision contained in the Democrats' $1.9 trillion relief package that President Joe Biden signed into law in March. Lawyers for unemployed Maryland residents argued in state court on Friday that Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's move to end the pandemic programs early violates Maryland statutes to provide unemployment compensation assistance and obtain all federally funded benefits available. Terminating the benefits early will make it harder for the unemployed to afford basic needs, including housing and health care, at a time when many are still struggling to find work. More than 300,000 Maryland residents will be affected by the cessation of the programs, with 85% of them losing all their benefits, according to one of the lawyers. Hogan's attorney countered that the governor was balancing the needs of employers, workers and all Maryland residents at a time when the economy is reopening and that the statute does not require him to accept the federal benefits. In his temporary restraining order, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill directed state officials to rescind their notice to the US Department of Labor terminating the pandemic benefits and take all action necessary to continue the payments. "At this preliminary stage, the court concludes that plaintiffs have shown a likelihood that they will succeed in establishing that the 'fullest extent' provision requires the secretary of labor, without discretion, to draw available benefits from the federal government if providing them to Maryland residents is consistent with the Maryland unemployment benefit system," Fletcher-Hill wrote. Maryland will appeal the ruling, said Mike Ricci, Hogan's spokesman. "There is a record number of jobs available right now, and this program is making it harder to fill them and fully reopen our businesses," Ricci said. "It's hurting our recovery across every region and industry." Meanwhile, in Texas, two groups of unemployed residents are arguing that the state constitution doesn't give Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, the power to terminate the benefits, even during a state of emergency, said David Sibley, attorney for the plaintiffs. Only the Texas Workforce Commission, which administers the state unemployment program, can do so, Sibley continued. Nearly 980,000 Texans have been affected, according to The Century Foundation. Abbott's spokespeople did not return a request for comment. No benefits in Indiana A state judge ruled last week that Indiana must continue paying pandemic unemployment benefits to roughly 230,000 Hoosiers. But there's been no indication that the state Department of Workforce Development has complied with that order, according to Jennifer Terry, a staff attorney with Indiana Legal Services, one of the two firms representing the plaintiffs. Jobless workers filed a lawsuit last month, arguing that the move violates a state law that requires Indiana to "procure all available federal insurance benefits to citizens," according to the firms. In its response, the state said that Indiana law does not require the governor to enter into agreements with the federal government to secure all unemployment benefits. Also, the plaintiffs "downplay dramatically" what it would take the restart the payments, which would entail reentering a contract with the US Department of Labor, reprogramming the state unemployment agency's computer system and redetermining eligibility of claimants. Spokespeople for the state agency and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb did not return requests for comment. But the agency told the IndyStar earlier in the week that it is "determining how to proceed because the federal programs no longer exist after their termination on June 19. There is no action that a claimant needs to take right now. Updated information will be provided on DWD's website." This story has been updated with additional developments Saturday. This story was first published on CNN.com "More jobless Americans are suing to get their pandemic unemployment benefits back". (CNN) Pope Francis has "reacted well" after undergoing surgery Sunday for colon diverticulitis, according to the Vatican. "The Holy Father reacted well to the surgery carried out under general anesthesia," spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a written statement. The 84-year-old pontiff entered surgery in Rome's Gemelli hospital earlier in the day, hours after conducting the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square. According to a statement from the Holy See communications office, the procedure was "a scheduled surgical intervention for a symptomatic stenotic diverticulitis." Diverticulitis is an inflammation caused when people develop small sacs in the walls of the colon. The sacs or pouches are called diverticuli. It's usually symptomless, but can cause discomfort and, sometimes, bleeding. It's a common condition affecting more than half of adults in the United States, according to the US National Institutes of Health, and is more common as people age. Italian President Sergio Mattarella wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery, in a message shared on the presidency's website Sunday. "Speaking on behalf of all Italians and of myself, we wish to send to Your Holiness our warm regards and the most cordial wishes for a good convalescence and speedy recovery," the message sent to Pope Francis said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Pope Francis has surgery for 'colon diverticulitis'" (CNN) -- The Vatican has indicted 10 people, including an Italian cardinal, for several alleged financial crimes including extortion, corruption, fraud, forgery, embezzlement and abuse of power. The investigation, which started in July 2019, was carried out by the Vatican in cooperation with Italian authorities and revealed "a vast network of ties between financial market operators who generated substantial losses for the Vatican finances," a statement from the Vatican said on Saturday. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu was indicted "for the crimes of embezzlement, abuse of office ... and bribery," the Vatican added. Becciu allegedly used money from the Vatican to benefit his two brothers' businesses, according to a detailed report by Vatican News, which is what led the Pope to fire the cardinal last year. Becciu, who once held a powerful position in the Vatican's Secretariat of State, said on Saturday in a statement he is a victim of a "conspiracy" against him and maintained his innocence. Vatican laws require the Pope to sign off on any investigation and indictment of a cardinal. Becciu, 73, was created cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018 and made the head of the office that oversees canonizations of saints. From 2011, he served as the "substitute" in the Vatican's Secretariat of State, a powerful position similar to chief-of-staff. The alleged illegal activities found by the investigation regard investments using charity money into "extremely high-risk financial activity" for personal gains, which include an investment in the fossil fuel industry in Angola, that could amount to more than 200 million, according to a detailed report from Vatican News. The investigation also allegedly found wrongdoing surrounding the purchase and sale of a "grossly overestimated"-priced property in London, during which the indicted allegedly was complicit in performing forgery and extortion, among other crimes, Vatican News said on Saturday. Saturday's indictment also targets Rene Brulhart, former president of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority, and Tommaso di Ruzza, its former director, as well as four companies from the US, Slovenia and Switzerland. Brulhart has called the indictment a "procedural blunder" and added he always carried out his duties "with correctness, loyalty and in the exclusive interest of the Holy See," he said in a statement. The trial will begin on July 27. This story was first published on CNN.com "Vatican indicts 10 people, including a cardinal, over an international financial scandal". Representatives from Missouri State Parks are inviting the public to attend two separate informational meetings on Thursday, July 8, concerning Hawn State Park and Felix Valle State Historic Site, both places in Ste. Genevieve County. The public meeting for the Felix Valle House State Historic Site hosts public will begin at 4 p.m. at the Dr. Shaw House Gallery located at 198 Merchant St. in Ste. Genevieve. Representatives from the site will provide updates and answer questions. The public is invited to share comments and ask questions about the historic site and its operations. Felix Valle House State Historic Site is located at the corner of Second and Merchant streets in Ste. Genevieve. For more information about the event, call the site at 573-883-7102. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Hawn State Park public meeting will begin afterward, at 6 p.m. at the park's shelter in the day use area. Like the Felix Valle House meeting, park representatives share information and answer any questions the public might have. Hawn State Park is located at 12096 Park Dr., Ste. Genevieve. For more information, contact the park at 573-883-3603. Phase two will include 17,200 additional square feet of commercial and office space and two commercial pad sites, one on each side of the Route 670 Connector Road at its intersection with Route 29, as well as 40 additional townhomes. The third phase will be market-driven commercial and office development and the remaining 104 townhomes. The developer will pay for the completion of the park that will include parking for the public and play equipment costs up to $50,000, as well as a dog park, as part of the proffers for the project. Additionally, the developer will set aside $600,000 for signalization when warranted along the propertys frontage with Route 29 that may not be used for anything else. Only one person spoke during the planning commissions public hearing. The Richmond Folk Festival, which will return live and in person the weekend of October 8-10, announced the first six performers for this years free, three-day festival. Expect to hear bluegrass from Indianas Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper; go-go music from D.C.s Rare Essence; Irish music from Joanie Madden & Cherish the Ladies, based out of Yonkers, New York; the Nava Persian Trio from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Plene Es, a bomba y plena band that explores Afro-Puerto Rican percussion driven music from Florida; and a mix of jazz, hip-hop and tap dance from Sean Jones Dizzy Spellz, featuring Brinae Ali, from Baltimore, Maryland. Roughly 30 artists from all over the world will perform on six stages on Richmonds riverfront for the Richmond Folk Festival. More artists will be announced in the months ahead. Last year, the long-running music festival went virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. This year more than ever we find reason to celebrate each others traditions and cultures, said Stephen Lecky, director of events at Venture Richmond, which hosts the event in partnership with other groups. This will be the 17th year for the Richmond Folk Festival, which typically draws between 150,000 to 200,000 people over three days. A federal judge has denied attempts from rally lawsuit defendant and fake news purveyor Jim Hoft to subpoena a slew of state and local officials. Hoft, of The Gateway Pundit, is among various defendants in the Gilmore v. InfoWars lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Brennan Gilmore, a former U.S. Foreign Service officer who was the subject of various false articles in the wake of the 2017 Unite the Right rally. After Gilmore witnessed and filmed the Aug. 12, 2017, car attack that killed counter-protester Heather Heyer, the defendants started spreading conspiracies about Gilmore, which led to death threats against him and his family, according to the suit. In addition to Hoft, Alex Jones and InfoWars, the complaint names Free Speech Systems LLC, Lee Stranahan, Lee Ann McAdoo, Scott Creighton, Derrick Wilburn, Michele Hickford of Words-N-Ideas LLC and former U.S. Rep. Allen B. West, R-Fla., as defendants. West was later dismissed from the suit. Hoft is accused of publishing an article on his blog accusing Gilmore of being a deep state shill with links to George Soros and that the State Department was involved in Charlottesville rioting and is trying to cover it up. Neither Hoft nor any of the other defendants have been able to substantiate these claims. A change in state law also allows governments to keep their continuity of governance ordinances for one year, where it had been six months before. The countys ordinance says six months but the board could now extend that to 12. Its not when the local emergency ends everythings going to go back to where it was, and its not to say that everything will automatically hold for 12 months. Some things might be very easy and reasonable for us to resume normal operations more quickly than other things, Kilroy said. Thats why well be taking our time to step things back rather than more of an on-off switch. Albemarle is also working to outfit Lane Auditorium with equipment so the public can still provide comments from their computer or over the phone and be heard in the room, but officials dont yet know how possible hybrid meetings will be for smaller rooms or in buildings that arent the county office buildings. With the local emergencies and continuity of governance ordinances in place in Charlottesville and Albemarle, regional bodies also can continue to meet virtually, and many plan to do so. For the health district and other agencies, the pandemic response is shifting from an all-hands-on-deck approach to one that more closely resembles normal operations. The health district has reduced the number of people working on case investigations from about 50 to 15 and is offering fewer COVID testing events, though McKay said they can bulk up later in the fall if needed. The regional emergency operations center, which coordinates the different agencies involved, also is scaling back its response. Sonny Saxton, director of the Emergency Communications Center, which houses the regional EOC, said that group will stay active to assist with the COVID-19 emergency for many months and most likely through the beginning of next year. The effects are still being felt around the world and even locally, he said. ... But I would say were in a better place than many of us or even myself would have anticipated up to now, and theres still work to be done. Dr. Taison Bell, director of the medical intensive care unit at the University of Virginia Medical Center, said the drop in cases, hospitalizations and deaths is good news. Freestanding stone chimneys representative of what was left of the many abandoned and burned-out homes on park land have come to be the iconic symbol of the organization and the monuments. On each memorial chimney, a plaque displays the surnames of families and landowners displaced from the mountains in that county. If you go up in the park today, youll find quite a few chimneys still standing, Bill Henry, who founded the Blue Ridge Heritage Project, told me in 2017. The first chimney I came across in the backcountry was a very powerful experience. I didnt know the whole story back then. It was like, Wow, somebody lived here. Once I learned about the people being evicted and the houses being burned the chimneys left standing really had a lot of meaning to me, said Henry, a retired school teacher in the area who grew up in Fairfax County and regularly visited Shenandoah National Park as a child, but has no personal connection to the displaced families. The chimneys show the determination and spirit of the mountain people. A defense attorney for Madera-Rodriguez had argued that he played a minor role in the hazing and should not be found guilty of murder and other crimes. The attorney said Madera-Rodriguez never touched Melgar until he tried to help revive him. He said the Marine's role was only to break down Melgar's door with a sledge hammer, play some music and bring in Malian guards who were part of the joke. Madera-Rodriguez's attorneys also said military prosecutors misapplied the law when it came to the murder charge. They said he can only be found guilty of felony murder if hes found guilty of burglary, a charge related to the accusation that the men broke into Melgars room. They said the burglary charge depends on the alleged crime happening at night, which they said it no longer was by the time of the hazing. You dont have night time, you dont have burglary, Marine Lt. Col. Timothy Kuhn argued on behalf of Madera-Rodriguez. You dont have burglary, you dont have felony murder. Prosecutors argued that Madera-Rodriguez was culpable because he chose to partake in the hazing, despite the known risks of placing someone in a chokehold. But some reflection on the social, cultural, and political issues that have affected our country over the last century of human migrations may be of use in helping us avoid the mistakes that we have made in the past. Otherwise, the power of the testimony of Steinbecks work would be a lost lesson on our generation, and a missed opportunity for positive change. Ricardo Preve is a film and television director from Argentina who has lived in Charlottesville since 1976. He can be found @rickpreve on Twitter and Instagram. Authors note: For The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck, I have consulted the 2014 Viking Press edition, while my copy of The Harvest Gypsies is the Heyday Books edition. I have also studied the novel Whose Names are Unknown, University of Oklahoma Press (2004) by Sanora Babb, as there is some evidence that Steinbeck used some of the materials in Babbs book for his novel apparently without Babbs permission. Information links: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/climate-change-migration-central-america/ https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/how-many-undocumented-immigrants-are-in-the-united-states-and-who-are-they/ About four years ago, my husband and I also brought my niece, who has scoliosis of the spine and other disabilities, to live with us in our home. I coordinate her care by utilizing home health aides from a private agency, and when no one is available, I step in and tend to her myself. Unfortunately, this happens often, because pay for home care workers is so low that it has led to turnover rates as high as 60%. The workers who care for my niece dont make much more than minimum wage, and most do not have basic benefits or job training. One of them has to work three jobs just to put food on the table for her children. Because they dont have a union, they have no meaningful way to advocate for themselves and their families. Home care workers have been shamefully exploited and written out of many of the basic protections enshrined in the New Deal, including full union rights, enjoyed by other American workers. This is because home care was seen as Black womens work, dating back to the times of slavery, when they cared for white families loved ones. To this day, 87% of home care workers are women, a majority are women of color like myself, and almost a third are immigrants. Weve been held down by systemic racism and gender discrimation for too long. Trump wanted America to rebuild its economic power after China and other low-wage countries siphoned off many American jobs. That view had resonated earlier with disgruntled voters who were attracted to a newcomer to politics, billionaire Ross Perot, who ran for president in 1992 and captured 19% of the vote. Joe Biden took a political risk, in my view, by reversing Trumps policies on NATO and the European Union. He underestimated the allure of the America First theme, which criticized Europes lack of contribution to security in the Middle East and North Africa, leaving those strategic areas to Washington to handle. The Europeans chose instead to concentrate on Russias pressures in Eastern Europe, specifically in Ukraine and the Baltic States. Many Americans didnt agree with Europes failure to help in the Middle East, specifically in Syria and Iraq. Despite their differing priorities, Biden was convinced America needed Europes economic and political support to help him confront China in East Asia, Iran in the Persian Gulf, and Russia in the Baltic Sea. His international goal was highlighted in a Washington Post story headlined Blinken back in Europe as U.S. seeks to reestablish global leadership role (June 23). In case youve missed it, things are getting considerably warmer in the valley, the Pacific Northwest, and on Earth, and there are no signs that the trends will be slowing down, according to scientists. According to NASA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, 2010-2019 was the hottest decade ever recorded on the planet. NOAA data indicates that 2020 was the second-hottest year on record, trailing only 2016. That means that 2019 now ranks as the third-hottest year in 140 years. Before last decade, the hottest 10-year span was 2000-2009, and before that, it was the 1990s. NOAA figures show the trend of hotter temperatures holds true for Portland, Salem and Eugene. High, low and average temperatures for the three largest cities in the Willamette Valley were all hotter in 1991-2020 than in the three decade-period of 1981-2010, and thats especially true in the summertime. For example, Julys average max temperature for 1991-2020 was: 81.9 degrees for Portland, up 1.3 degrees over 1981-2010; 83.5 degrees in Salem, up 1.5 degrees over the previous time frame; and 84 degrees in Eugene, up 1.7 degrees over 1981-2020. One decade has made all the difference. This is all unprecedented, said Jamie Holt, lead fisheries technician for the Yurok Tribe. Where do you go from here? When do you start having the larger conversation of complete unsustainability? Near the rivers source, some of the farmers who are seeing their lives upended by the same drought say a guarantee of less water but some water each year would be better than the parched fields they have now. Some worry problems in the basin are being blamed on a way of life they also inherited. I know turning off the project is easy, said Tricia Hill, a fourth-generation farmer. But sometimes the story that gets told ... doesnt represent how progressive we are here and how we do want to make things better for all species. This single-species management is not working for the fish and its destroying our community and hurting our wildlife. DuVals daughter dreams of taking over the family farm someday. But DuVal isnt sure he and his wife, Erika, can hang onto the land if things dont change. We had a plan on how were going to grow our farm and to be able to send my daughters to a good college, said DuVal, president of the Klamath Water Users Association. And that plan just unravels further and further with every bad water year. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Krum featured At a crossroads: TxDOT expansion to forever alter Krum landscape Jeff Woo/DRC Motorists drive along West McCart Street in downtown Krum last week. An upcoming highway expansion project will eliminate street parking for downtown businesses and bring construction right up to their doorsteps. Jeff Woo/DRC Jennifer Jonas, the owner of Krum Clips Salon, is worried about how the upcoming FM1173 expansion project will affect her business. I know Krum is going to grow, and I welcome the growth, but I just dont welcome that theyre going to kill my business because my customers cant come in here, she said. KRUM Krum Clips Salon owner Jennifer Jonas has owned her shop at 110 W. McCart St. for 17 years. But as a $45 million highway expansion project by the Texas Department of Transportation looms on her doorstep in downtown Krum, she fears her longtime clients could be driven away. I feel like the city is going to leave us hanging, Jonas said. Spanning Denton and Krum, the project will expand McCart Street (FM1173) from Interstate 35 to FM156 and is broken down into five segments. It would widen the two-lane stretch of FM1173 to four lanes between FM156 and East Sixth Street, and to six lanes between East Sixth to I-35, adding 0.8 miles of new construction between Masch Branch and Barthold roads. Krums historic downtown is located just on the other side of the BNSF tracks on McCart, where the first segment of the project will run. The expansion, which will be ready to open for construction bids in December 2023, is aimed at addressing current and future traffic volume as well as a potential bottleneck at FM1173 and I-35 with an upcoming I-35 improvement project, TxDOT representative Emily McCann said. The project will create 10 parallel parking spots on the north side of McCart upon completion of the first segment but would eliminate the roughly 28 pull-in spots that currently exist on both sides of Krums main street. It also would bring construction right up to the sidewalk in front of the downtown strip, which will make it difficult to access existing businesses, Jonas said. I know Krum is going to grow, and I welcome the growth, but I just dont welcome that theyre going to kill my business because my customers cant come in here, Jonas said. We just need a plan. Though McCann said it is too early to know how long construction might go on once the project begins, and the agency will not begin purchasing until the right-of-way map is completed in the coming months, there are currently 63 lots expected to be impacted. Those impacts could involve a purchase of the entire land parcel or may mean TxDOT needs only a small portion of a property. At 318 E. McCart St., that could mean relocating entirely. The commercial building houses Cramer Orthodontics and previously housed Krum Dental, which relocated ahead of the expansion. Though staff at Krum Dental declined to be interviewed, a staff member confirmed during an initial phone call that the practice moved because of the project. Chris Rosprim, who manages the property, said the building owner is waiting on an offer from TxDOT and hopes to rebuild elsewhere in the area. But for downtown merchants whose customers would lose access to existing parking, that isnt an option, since TxDOT would not need to purchase from Jonas and others it already owns the right of way where the expansion will take place. Ashlee Rogers, co-owner at JoyGrace & Co., said her clothing business has petitioned the city and attended several Krum City Council meetings that touched on the project. Though potential solutions explored have included parallel parking along McCart, parking behind City Hall down the street or across the highway, none have been settled on nor are any realistic, Rogers said. People arent going to walk across a four-lane highway, and even the chiropractor down the way, his elderly patients are not going to walk around the entire block to come over there, Rogers said. If theres nowhere to park or its inconvenient, people arent going to come. Rogers, along with Jonas, sent a letter of protest about the project to TxDOT, but both said they never received a response. Jonas said she knows of at least two other neighboring business owners who also submitted letters objecting to the expansion. TxDOT first asked for public input on a proposed feasibility study for the project in May 2018. Mayor Ron Harris shared the meeting details on his Facebook page, inviting residents to attend. The expansion of 1173 to accommodate growth in Krum as well as the surrounding areas in Denton County is a project that will be happening, regardless of anyones personal view on our town [as it becomes] larger or new development, Harris wrote in the post. Positives include an increased ease of traffic flowing in and out of town, road improvements that will significantly reduce flooding issues at 1173 and Hopkins, and sidewalks along 1173 to help with mobility and improve the safety of those walking along the roadway. Traffic counts have more than doubled on 1173 and 156 in just in the last three years and will continue to increase, so this project is definitely needed. Harris did not return several calls to his office for comment about the project. McCann said TxDOT does take public feedback into account and make changes where possible. Original plans for the expansion would have significantly impacted several properties including the Sonic at 1221 E. McCart St., but after hearing concerns, TxDOT shifted the alignment to narrow the footprint of the project and reduce impacts, McCann said. Downtown merchants feel that hasnt been the case for them despite communications with the city and TxDOT. Edward McRoy, director of development for the city of Krum, said though he has heard some public concern regarding the project, much of the initial discussions happened with his predecessor, Tom Elgin, who retired in December. McRoy said the city likely will work together with TxDOT to come to a solution for downtown parking, but city officials are still assessing the impacts and he expects the path of the project might change. I had a couple emails from business owners that contacted us wanting to know whats going on, and my answer to them is at this point, these are sort of initial drawings, and then we go to a more formalized process of actually going through and getting engineering and construction plans, so they can shift quite a bit from these initial draws, McRoy said. But TxDOT does not expect any significant changes to the project, which they presented to Krum city officials and received a letter of support for in February, McCann said. The city held a public hearing regarding the expansion in December 2020, prior to TxDOTs presentation to the city. Plans are pretty set by the time of the public hearing, McCann said. But we do try to be a good neighbor and keep access to the businesses open and will hopefully come up with a mitigation plan for parking. Scott Sackett, a longtime Krum resident who owns three buildings downtown, said there has been a lot of confusion surrounding the project for property owners. The mayor will say one thing, City Council will say something else its hard to really know whats happening, Sackett said. We dont have a lot of information at this point except if it does happen, unless the city comes up with parking on both the north and south sides of FM1173, it will do a lot of damage to the downtown. While downtowners fear the construction on FM1173 could be a detriment to business and put the 100-plus-year-old buildings at risk McRoy said that in the long term, expansions typically benefit local commerce. Obviously by expanding the right of way, that creates greater capacity for flow-through and traffic, so ultimately, those expansions tend to be beneficial, but in the short term and for individual locations, there might be some impacts that are particularly negative to individual business owners, McRoy said. Jon Gumfory, owner of the Sonic on McCart, said he is not opposed to the project. The last draft I saw, we werent going to have to move because everything was happening south on the other side of the roadway, Gumfory said. Theyll take some of the ditch here the only thing I dont like is theyll have a raised median, so there wont be a turnout and people will have to do a U-turn to get to us. It is not clear when business owners might expect a concrete solution to concerns surrounding the expansion. The project is expected to be environmentally cleared and receive funding this summer, after which offers on impacted properties can move forward. As for Jonas and others, the future remains murky. If they never address parking, its not going to make my business grow, but if a solution is made and there is more parking as the project is completed, it could help my business grow tremendously, Jonas said. My only hope is the project can go quickly, and the growing pains are minimal. I know theyre not going to be, but that is my hope. Related * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts "The Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara" on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. For a while, they headed to the Alafia River but the algae blooms are popping up even in the waterways at the eastern edges of Hillsborough County, he said. Now, theyre settling for some unlikely fishing grounds in their pursuit of snapper, snook and redfish the urban stretches of the Hillsborough River. The flow of the river forces a lot of that toxic algae out, but its been a battle to stay a step ahead of it, Taylor said. Red Tide is just an algae, its a plant, so if you enrich the bay with fertilizers ... youre just inviting the red tide to your home. State scientists are still investigating whether theres a connection between reports of rapidly spreading Red Tide blooms and the states decision in March and April to pump 215 million gallons of polluted wastewater into Tampa Bay from a leaking reservoir at the old Piney Point fertilizer plant near Port Manatee. A spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reiterated Wednesday that the Piney Point discharge did not cause Red Tide in Tampa Bay but it may have made it worse. The former president has written that in retrospect he finds it inconceivable not to discuss such a life-changing decision with his wife, who was unhappy with the move. Now, they see the blossoming of their partnership in that challenging juncture. We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics, Rosalynn Carter told AP. I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things, she added, drawing a laugh and affirmation from her husband. Jimmy Carter also didnt seek Rosalynn's permission to make his first bid for office a few years later. In that instance, she was on board anyway. My wife is much more political, he said. She interjected: I love it. I love campaigning. I had the best time. I was in all the states in the United States. I campaigned solid every day the last time we ran. That didn't help avoid a rout by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. But it further cemented Rosalynn whod originally given up her own opportunity to go to college when she married at age 18 as equal partner to the leader of the free world. And it marked Jimmy Carter's evolution as a spouse. The annual National Independence Day Parade was due to take place tomorrow, Sunday 4 July 2021 but due to issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic, the event has been cancelled for the second year running. No time to organise 2021 4th July Parade The National Park Service (NPS), who organise the event, released a statement explaining why this years parade has been cancelled but hope that it will return next year. After much thought and consideration, the National Park Service and Diversified Events have cancelled this years National Independence Day Parade due to logistics and planning limitations. The marching units that travel from across the country to participate in the parade have not had the necessary eight to 18 months to organize, rehearse and fund raise before making the trip, and most are still unable to travel due to COVID-19 concerns. We are unable to stage a successful event without the excitement and sound provided by these high school bands, drill teams and other youth organizations. We share everyones disappointment in this decision and look forward to presenting this red, white and blue celebration of Americas birthday again on July 4, 2022. While this year's Parade may not be taking place, there are plenty of other alternative activities lined up to take part in and enjoy - here are some of them. There will be a spectacular firework display right in the heart of Washington DC, starting at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Find out more where you can watch the firework display here. 4th July Parade route and celebrations The Independence Day Parade is a celebration of Americas birthday and takes place on 4 July every year in Washington, DC. The parade route is one mile long and starts at 11:45 am on the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 7th St NW. The parade features marching bands, floats and performers such as dancers and acrobats who come down for the celebration from all parts of the country. The parade continues west for 10 blocks until it reaches the intersection of Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW, finishing at around 2 pm with other festivities taking place during the rest of the day. It is usually broadcast live on Youtube. The 2020 National Independence Day Parade was cancelled but former President Donald Trump went ahead with his 'Salute to America' celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House and Ellipse in spite of warnings from health officials. British expert says achievements of Party 'unprecedented in human history' Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a ceremony marking the centenary of the CPC in Beijing, July 1, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] On the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, overseas experts say the Party's popularity will continue to grow across the country as it is deeply rooted in the people and serves the needs of the people. Speaking at a grand gathering to mark the centenary of the CPC in Beijing on Thursday, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said: "This country is its people; the people are the country. As we have fought to establish and consolidate our leadership over the country, we have in fact been fighting to earn and keep the people's support." He added: "The Party has in the people its roots, its lifeblood, and its source of strength. The Party has always represented the fundamental interests of all Chinese people; it stands with them through thick and thin and shares a common fate with them." The success of the CPC lies in the simple fact that "it has heard the people and delivers the people's realistic needs", said Stephen Perry, chairman of The 48 Group Club, an independent business network group committed to promoting trade and cultural links between the United Kingdom and China. "China has transitioned from the 'sick man of Asia' to a leading global nation in those 100 years. This is due to the hard work and sacrifice of the people of China and the CPC leadership based on hearing the people and developing realistic steps to rebuild China," he told China Daily. "Without the people, this could not be achieved, and without the CPC this could not be achieved," he added. "The CPC has used hard work and commitment to find the right paths and been brave in innovation." Since it was established in July 1921, the CPC has led China to transform from a large but poor and weak nation to the world's second-largest economy, lifting about 770 million of its people out of poverty. "This is unprecedented in human history and unprecedented in world history," Perry said, adding: "China's management of the planned economy is unique and marrying it with the market economy is a great innovation which many nations will benefit from over time." "The CPC has 95 million members and it is a base for selfless commitment to helping China find its rejuvenation targets and help other nations who seek help," he said. A study published by Harvard University last July showed that the CPC-led Chinese government enjoys a high rate of support and satisfaction among the Chinese people, at a rate of more than 93 percent. "With achievements like that, it would be most surprising if it did not, because to transform the living conditions, the quality, and the expectations of society and the Chinese people, has created entirely new possibilities for its population," said Martin Jacques, a leading British Sinologist. "If a party or a government is capable of doing it, it's going to be enormously popular. There is nowhere else in the world probably that could achieve these kind of levels of satisfaction, so I do not think we should be surprised by it," he said during an interview with China Daily. George Koo, a retired international business adviser in Silicon Valley, the United States, and a political commentator, agreed. "The most obvious success of the CPC is the fact that they have taken care of all the people in China. By taking care of all the people, they have popular support, the overwhelming percentage of support, like no other government or party has been able to enjoy anywhere in the world." Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said unity between the Party and the people is crucial for China's development. "Over the last century, the CPC has remained true to its original aspiration and mission of pursuing the well-being of the Chinese people, leading them in an arduous and never-ending struggle that has resulted in fundamental changes not only in the destiny and future of the Chinese people and nation, but also in the destiny and future of the peoples and nations in the region and the world." In his speech on Thursday, Xi also said that "a hallmark that distinguishes the Communist Party of China from other political parties is its courage in undertaking self-reform". Jacques agreed that the ability to reform is another reason that the CPC has achieved so much. "The CPC has this extraordinary reforming capacity," he said. "One of the things that the CPC has been remarkably good at is moving with the times. It understands the dynamics of the society and moving with it, and therefore being able to change the direction whenever it needs to change." As an example of the reform-oriented mindset, Jacques noted how late leader Deng Xiaoping had realized that the centralized economic governance system was hindering China's economy before the 1980s. Deng led the nation to embrace the market as integral to China's socialist system, and ultimately, the nation was integrated into the global economy. "That was a very bold thing to do, and bore enormous fruits. That has transported China from being a very poor country where most people were poor, to a situation where it has abolished extreme poverty and become the largest economy in the world measured by GDP purchasing power parity, according to the World Bank," he added. On the basis of these achievements, Jacques believes that China has moved from being the recipient of the global order to increasingly become proactive and the shaper of the global order. Jacques said he expects the popularity of the CPC to grow further, "because as China becomes a global power, the prestige and status of China and the Chinese is going to rise, and that in its turn will reflect very well on the popularity of the CPC". Christopher Bovis, a professor of international business law at the University of Hull in the UK, said: "The reforms of China's economic system and society confirm policy directions, which are based on market-based resource allocation, a pivotal role for public ownership, and a strong emphasis on industrial policies and science and technology to achieve the goals of socialist modernization." "Chinese people are receiving loud and clear such messages and endorse the political system at large," Bovis told China Daily. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the country held an art performance titled The Great Journey at the National Stadium in Beijing on the evening of June 28, during which a show under the theme of shared future was staged, embodying Chinas idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind and reflecting the CPCs sense of responsibility in striving for humankinds progress. Over the last century, the CPC has striven forward against all odds in a relentless pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and the common good for the world. As a result, the Chinese nation has achieved a great transformation from standing up to growing rich, and to becoming stronger, and has thus made a notable contribution to human civilization and progress, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021, who stressed the CPCs mission and undertaking of pursuing the common good for the world. An art performance titled The Great Journey is held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, June 28. (Photo by Huang Jingwen/Xinhua) As July 1 this year marks the centenary of the CPC, many political party chiefs, government officials, and friendly personages in the world have sent wishes to the Chinese political party. They believe that the CPC is an important driving force in building a balanced international order and maintaining peaceful coexistence of civilizations, and that the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Xi has brought hope for building a free, just and beautiful world. The CPC has always aspired to make new and greater contributions to humankind. From China should make a major contribution to mankind to The Chinese people not only pursue a good life for themselves, but also work for common interest and harmony of the world, the CPC has become more determined to pursue the common good for the world and made the connotations of the vision increasingly rich with the development of the party itself and the country. The CPC, the ruling party of China, has not only made a solemn oath of pursuing the common good for the world, but taken actions to put such an idea into practice. An art performance titled The Great Journey is held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, June 28. (Photo by Peng Ziyang/Xinhua) China has proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and incorporated adhering to the path of peaceful development into constitutions of the country and the CPC. Making opening-up a fundamental national policy, the country has joined in almost all universal intergovernmental organizations and acceded to over 500 international conventions. It suggests building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, and upholds the universal values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. The country has joined hands with other countries in the construction of the Belt and Road, while actively participated in the reform and building of the global governance system. China has made major contributions to world peace and development with practical efforts. On the international stage, the CPC always represents a rational voice and an anchor of stability, said Shahbaz Sharif, president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, adding that Xis vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has promoted world peace and development. An art performance titled The Great Journey is held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, June 28. (Photo by Peng Ziyang/Xinhua) The CPC has led the Chinese people onto a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and diversified the routes to modernization for developing countries, laying a foundation for pushing world peace and development and building a community with a shared future for mankind. We must also see that Chinas development will create more opportunities for the world. We will draw on our own practices to explore the law governing the evolution of human society, and share with other countries what we have learned. We do not want to import models from other countries, nor do we want to export the Chinese model, still less will we ask other countries to copy the Chinese practice, said Xi while addressing the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting on December 1, 2017. The CPC shares with the world its dividends in both economic development and ideas and philosophies, which is of use for all countries, especially developing countries, in exploring a development path that best suits their national conditions. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics provides a new route to modernization for developing countries, and this institutional innovation is a contribution to the diversity of human civilization, according to Victoria V. Panova, managing director of the National Committee of BRICS Research of Russia. The CPCs great struggle together with the Chinese people in the past century has shone through the annals of history, and its great contributions to the peace and development of mankind are obvious to all. No matter how the international circumstances may change, China will continue to play its part in building world peace, promoting global development, and defending international order, and contribute even more to enhancing the common well-being of human beings and building a community with a shared future for mankind. The strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its competence to organize and mobilize is key to China's success, a Guinea-Bissauan party leader has said. "The CPC's capacity of organization and mobilization has once again been significantly showcased in combating extreme poverty and in the rapid and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic," Tomas Gomes Barbosa, national secretary of the Movement for Democratic Alternation (Madem-G15), said in a recent joint video interview with media. Barbosa, on behalf of Guinea-Bissauan President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, also a Madem-G15 member, extended congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, and expressed gratitude for the contributions the CPC and the Chinese people have made to promoting world peace and development. Closely following China's practice in building socialism with Chinese characteristics, Barbosa said that with its immense political wisdom and swift execution, the CPC has led China to attain "remarkable progress" that has attracted attention and won applause worldwide. Speaking of China's contribution to the global fight against the pandemic, Barbosa said in face of such a common enemy of humankind, China, while having taken it under control domestically with measures, reached out to other affected countries. Looking back on the development of bilateral ties, he described China as "the most important partner for the development of Guinea-Bissau," saying that China has supported and helped Guinea-Bissau in such fields as infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, health and education. "China always remains at the heart of the people of Guinea-Bissau throughout our struggle for independence and development," he said. In his eyes, such cooperation with China empowers Africans, which has been quite visible on the continent. "The world needs to take responsibility for preserving the environment and peace," said Barbosa, praising China's positive role in the process. https://flv1.gmw.cn/gma/20210704/20210704085946799_7528.mp4 From June to early July, splendid light shows were staged across China to celebrate the founding of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). City landmarks of major cities were illuminated by sparkling lights to to show the development and prosperity of China. [ Editor: GSY] https://flv1.gmw.cn/gma/20210704/20210704090555964_9760.mp4 To mark the the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), various lighting performances were put on in different cities across the country. In east Chinas Anhui Province, regional culture characteristics were displayed with spectacular AR light shows over the Tiane Lake in the capital, Hefei. As colourful music fountains lit up the night sky, the story of CPCs journey was told with a special flight show performed by 5,200 drones in Shenzhen. [ Editor: GSY] Egyptian prosecutors have received trainings on countering human trafficking and migrant smuggling, which were offered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt. The trainings were given to 60 Egyptian prosecutors through three rounds held in Cairo and Alexandria during June. "Egypt has a key geo-political role in the region, both in migration from Sub-Saharan Africa and flows across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)," the IMO has said in a statement. The IMO added that Egypts position in the region makes it a point of destination and transit for migrants, and a destination country for smugglers and traffickers seeking to take advantage of such vulnerable groups. "In order to address these trends, IOM Egypt supports the Government of Egypt to build a whole-of-government approach to fair and protection-oriented migration management policies and practices," it said. I find it crucial to look at best ways for jointly ensuring that prosecution and protection are two aspects strictly interlinked, Laurent de Boeck, chief of the IOM ission in Egypt, said. The trainings cam in line with international and national legal frameworks including the Egyptian Counter Trafficking Law 64/2010 as well as Counter Smuggling Law 82/2016. The trainings have also included sessions on financial investigation, evidence collection, victim, and witness protection safeguard among other areas. Throughout the trainings, the prosecutors were also given the chance to discuss practical case studies and best practices from national and international contexts. Short link: Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the "3rd of July" Naval Base, located in Gargoub area in the countrys northwest coast on Saturday. The "3rd of July" base, which is considered the newest Egyptian military base on the Mediterranean Sea, will be in charge of securing Egypts northern and western strategic borders, presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement. The 3rd of July base, which stretches over 10 million square meters, is Egypts largest naval base. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Abu-Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, head of Libyas Presidency Council Mohamed Al-Menfi as well as senior Egyptian officials including Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki. The national anthem was played upon the arrival of El-Sisi at the base, the artillery fired 21 rounds and the Egyptian flag was raised to celebrate the bases entry into service. The naval base will also safeguard Egypts economic capabilities, secure shipping routes, and maintain maritime security by using combat groups from land military units, submarines, and air forces, Rady added. During the opening ceremony, commander of the Egyptian Navy Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled said the base is part of the overall development strategy for the Armed Forces. The base is a message of peace and development for the entire region, he stressed. The Egyptian state implements a comprehensive plan to achieve development after achieving victory over terrorism, against the forces of extremism and terrorism with weapons of thought and comprehensive development, Khaled said. The new base took its name from a history associated with eliminating the motives of hateful terrorism and moving towards development and progress, including the tangible interest in the sea after the 30 June Revolution, the navy commander said. Khaled stressed that the base will help protect navigation in the Suez Canal and confront illegal immigration. The new base will be witnessing the military drill "Qader 2021" on Saturday, Khaled said. The "3rd of July" base represents a new addition to Egypts naval bases system, according to the presidency statement, as part of the comprehensive development plan for the Navy Forces. Through the development plan, the naval bases will act as provider of the logistical support for the Egyptian troops in the Red and Mediterranean seas to confront any challenges and threats that may exist in the region, as well as combating the smuggling and illegal immigration, the presidential spokesman noted. Short link: Perhaps it is exciting that the celebrations of the eighth anniversary of Egypts 30 June Revolution coincide with the United States Independence Day on 4 July. This is a special day to Americans, especially this year after the election of a new president. The following correspondence comes at a time when Egypt-US relations are entering a period of harmony, especially considering the vital role Egypt played in bringing about a ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis. Such effort was followed by a high-level communication between the administrations of both countries, including phone calls between Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and US President Joe Biden and visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Cairo. This paves the way for a new stage in relations between the two countries, which are tied via a strategic partnership that has stood the test of time. The points of consensus and mutual interests between the two countries are still the same and outweigh the points of disagreement. Al-Ahram conducted an interview with US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen, where he spoke about the different aspects of the relations between Cairo and Washington. Appointed in 2019 as the Cairo ambassador, Cohen has served two consecutive administrations, under Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Egypt and the United States are linked by a strategic partnership relationship. Do you think that this relationship has been affected by the change of the American administration, from Donald Trump to Joe Biden? Thank you for the opportunity to share perspectives with you and your readers. The U.S.-Egypt strategic partnership is vital to both nations and spans decades. We have cooperated with one another every day, across the administrations of eight U.S. presidents on a wide agenda which began with Egypts pioneering role in promoting Middle East peace. During my time in Egypt, we have worked closely together on regional issues, maritime security, trade and investment promotion, environmental issues, counterterrorism, education, cultural exchange, and a wide variety of other issues. This work spans the Trump and Biden administrations. How do you see the political role that Egypt played in calming the situation between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and is there an agreement between Cairo and Washington to resume peace negotiations soon? When President Biden and President El Sisi spoke last month, President Biden thanked Egypt for its successful diplomacy and coordination with the United States to end the recent hostilities in Israel and Gaza and ensure violence does not re-occur. The two leaders consulted on the urgent need to deliver humanitarian assistance to those in need in Gaza and to support rebuilding efforts in a manner that benefits the people there and not Hamas. President Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit the region for follow up, and of course Secretary Blinken came to Egypt where he conveyed again President Bidens appreciation to President El Sisi for Egypts critical mediation efforts in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. They also discussed ways to rebuild Gaza without benefiting those organizations opposed to peace. We look forward to continued efforts to move forward towards negotiations for a two-state solution. Can you tell us about the size of the American participation in major projects such as the Suez Canal axis and the new administrative capital, especially as there is a massive participation of countries such as China, Russia, and South Korea? The United States applauds the Government of Egypts efforts to develop and expand Egypts infrastructure to enable sustained economic growth. Leading American information and communication, energy, and infrastructure companies are executing projects in the Suez Canal Zone and the New Administrative Capital, among many other places in Egypt. We have a very active commercial and economic team at the embassy that is supporting American companies to bring their proven technology, expertise, and experience to help Egypt achieve its development goals while benefiting the American and Egyptian peoples. The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham) is one of the oldest and most effective business associations in the region and is a crucial partner in fostering business partnerships between our two countries. Are you satisfied with the current volume of trade exchange between Egypt and the United States? Don't you see that there are new areas in which to cooperate? My goal is to continuously grow our trade and investment relationship. Egypt is our largest export market in Africa, and the fourth largest in the Middle East, while the United States is Egypts second-largest trade partner. U.S.-Egyptian trade grew by nearly 76 percent from 2016 to 2019, from just under $5 billion to almost $8.8 billion in 2019. U.S. exports to Egypt were $5.5 billion in 2019, up 57 percent since 2016. Egyptian exports to the U.S. reached $3.3 billion in 2019, more than double their value in 2016. This growth in our trade relationship reflects our intensive focus on facilitating partnerships between U.S. and Egyptian firms and promoting bilateral trade. But there is room to expand bilateral trade further. We are engaged with the Government of Egypt to improve the business climate, and we work actively with U.S. companies to identify and capitalize on opportunities to increase trade. I think theres room for further growth as our two countries emerge from the pandemic. U.S. firms invested $1.5 billion in Egypt in 2020, making the United States the fifth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Egypt last year. We were the third-largest source of FDI in 2019. A lot of our investment is in the oil and gas sector, but U.S. firms are exploring other sectors and are increasing investment in real estate, telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services. More than 1,400 Egyptian companies outside the oil and gas sector are backed by U.S. FDI, supporting tens of thousands of Egyptian jobs. What about cooperation between the two countries in confronting the Corona pandemic, whether with regard to the Covax initiative or the possibility of obtaining Johnson & Johnson vaccines in the coming period? President Biden announced on June 10 that the United States will donate 500 million vaccine doses via COVAX, the largest donation by any country. The United States has already contributed $2 billion to COVAX and has committed another $2 billion in funding through 2022. Meanwhile, the United States has also committed to deliver vaccines directly to partner nations, including Egypt, in the coming months. What about the US participation it the Mediterranean Gas forum, led by Egypt? The East Mediterranean Gas Forum has the potential to increase economic integration and facilitate constructive dialogue. We applaud Egypt for its leadership in convening the EMGF. The United States is looking forward to participating in the upcoming ministerial meeting as an observer. On the social level, the embassy is involved in a great effort in supporting many projects related to education, health, and women. Can you tell us about the most prominent results of these efforts? U.S. assistance has brought improved education, clean water, better health, economic growth, and numerous other benefits to the Egyptian people. Over $3.5 billion brought clean water and sanitation services to over 25 million Egyptians. Do you drink water from the tap in central Cairo? That water is processed by the Rod El-Farag plant the U.S. and Egypt built together years ago. I was just in north Sinai visiting a new water plant there, part of $50 million in U.S. support for water infrastructure projects there that provides clean water to 450,000 Egyptians in the Sinai. In terms of health, the U.S. invested $1 billion to help eliminate polio, educate 14,000 community health workers, and reduce child mortality by 80%. Most recently, as befits our strategic partnership, Egypt provided us with desperately needed medical supplies when Corona broke out in the U.S., and last summer we returned the favor providing 250 ventilators to Egypt; both efforts saved lives. To combat violence against women, we helped train 3,000 law enforcement officials, health care providers, and social workers to support women and girls who have experienced violence. In education, the United States invested $1.7 billion over the past 40 years to build 2,000 schools and train 115,000 primary school teachers, reaching five million children nationwide. $350 million in scholarships and exchange opportunities provided more than 23,000 students and mid-career professionals unique learning experiences. We helped establish 19 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) high schools for 5,000 of Egypts best students. Through support to Egypts technical secondary schools, we ensured that 22,000 girls have the right skills to succeed in the labor force and connected 10,000 female graduates with jobs. All told, the U.S. has invested $30 billion in Egypts development over the past 40 years. The US media put great pressure on the American administration to raise issues of democracy and human rights in Egypt from time to time. Could these pressures negatively affect the direction of the American administration towards Egypt? President Biden has made clear that human rights will be at the center of our foreign policy with all our partners, including with Egypt, and we have serious, high-level discussions on the topic. Egypt is a long-term strategic partner, with whom we continue to work to advance regional security and stability, and to promote a stable, prosperous Egypt which advances the human rights aspirations of its people. We appreciate the recent steps Egypt has taken to improve religious freedom, including approving applications to license unregistered churches and constructing new churches, and improve respect for womens rights, and combatting of female genital mutilation. Freedom of the press is certain, but do you play a specific role in clarifying some matters to the American media, especially since a large part of what it publishes about the situation in Egypt is based on inaccurate information, or from one side? My role as Ambassador is to connect Americans and Egyptians, and to help us understand each other better. I do that by meeting and learning from many of my Egyptian contacts, friends, and colleagues about everything that is going on in Egypt. Part of my role, and the duty of the Embassy, is also to inform colleagues back in Washington about the situation here in Egypt. I believe we continue to have a productive dialogue on a range of strategic issues, an example of which is the complementary roles Egypt and the United States played in promoting a ceasefire in Gaza. Tell us about your stay in Egypt? What are the most prominent places you visited? Your best Egyptian friend here? What do you like on a personal level? What is bothering you?! I greatly enjoy my time in Egypt. I look forward to a time after Corona when I can see more of this great country. I have enjoyed visits to Luxor, Aswan, Minya, Alexandria, Damietta, Ismailiya, Siwa, north Sinai, Gouna, Sokhna, Marsa Matrouh, and Alamein to list a few of the amazing places here in Egypt. I fully intend to make the most of my limited time as Ambassador here to explore as much as possible of Egypt! Short link: Negotiations with Addis Ababa over its disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) should not go on indefinitely, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said, five days before the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) anticipated session on the decade-long row. Egypt's approach in the negotiations with Ethiopia over the past ten years has been based on the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement on the dam in accordance with international norms and constants, El-Sisi said Saturday during a lunch banquet following the launch of a military drill at a newly-opened naval base in the countrys northwest coast. Egypt, El-Sisi stressed, has never threatened any country directly or indirectly throughout history despite its great military power. "Part of such military capabilities was shown at the Qader 2021 Maneuver," he added, according to a video released by the Egyptian presidencys official website. The president also extended thanks to "all friendly countries over their mediation efforts to settle the GERD issue." The downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, have been negotiating in vain with upstream Ethiopia for a decade to reach an agreement over the multi-billion dollar hydropower dam, which is under construction since 2011 on a main tributary of the Nile river, the crucial source of water to Cairo and Khartoum. The UNSC is set to hold a session over the long-running issue on Thursday at a request from Cairo and Khartoum as the two countries say the controversial project will threaten the regional security and stability if Addis Ababa fills the dam this summer as announced despite the lack of accord. Addis Ababa plans to fill the dam for the second time in July with 13.5 billion cubic metres of water without agreement with Cairo and Khartoum. The UNSC's session is not the first about the crisis, as the 15-member body held a session in June 2020 at Egypt's request due to what Cairo described as Ethiopia's "intransigence" in negotiations. During the session, the council urged the three countries to reach a consensus and warned against unilateral actions. The three countries agreed to continue negotiations under the aegis of the African Union, but Ethiopia held 4.9 billion cubic metres of water behind its dam a month later without coordinating with Egypt and Sudan. Egypt, which depends on the Nile for over 95 percent of its freshwater, does not oppose the dam but fears the dam will affect its water share if a legally binding deal is not reached. Sudan also fears the GERD will put the operation of its Roseires Dam and the lives of 20 million Sudanese citizens at a very high risk in the absence of a binding deal. Short link: The British Council recently invited Active Citizens members to participate in a Civil Society Talk with Anne-Marie Trevelyan, British Secretary of State for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change hosted by the British Embassy in Egypt. The programme members discussed the role of civil society in finding innovative solutions through social action projects that include people from different communities in combating climate change. The meeting took place at the British embassy during Trevelyans strategic visit to Egypt. Abdel-Fattah Nada and Amina Emam joined the meeting as civil society members and community leaders to showcase their grassroots initiatives in Egypt, showing challenges and opportunities on their work. The duo are leading on the delivery of Active Citizens activities under the framework of The Climate Connection programme recently launched by the British Council and the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) which will be hosted by the UK in Glasgow city in November 2021. The current initiatives that Abdel-Fattah and Amina lead on aim to empower young people and women in disadvantaged communities to start income generating projects that are sustainable and serve the environment. Elizabeth White, Country Director at the British Council in Egypt, said: Since its launch in 2009, Active Citiziens programme has provided hundreds of thousands of people worldwide with the social leadership skills to address some of the big social challenges of the 21st century. The programme connects people locally and globally, developing their knowledge and skills to build fairer and more resilient societies, White added. We are proud of our latest civil society talk with British Secretary of State for Energy, Clean Growth & Climate Change and Active Citizens programme members which enriched their knowledge and will support them to build new skills and generate new ideas for social action, she said. Nada, the programme member, highlighted: very happy that the work were doing in Ezbet Khairallah is being recognised. I strongly believe in cultural dialogue and how it can change peoples lives and make an impact, especially on those most vulnerable. Thank you Active Citizens for giving me the skills that equipped me to help my society especially around climate issues. Active Citizens is a social leadership training programme that promotes intercultural dialogue and community-led social development. The programme has adapted to meet the needs of different individuals and diverse communities. There have been successful examples of thematic innovation building on Active Citizens core content across social enterprise, youth, arts, sport and mainstreaming gender and disability. It is worth mentioning that Egypt has expressed interest to host the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) as part of the UN system of regional rotation. Egypt currently sits on the Energy transition council which is created by the UK government last year to support emergining economies in the transition to cleaner energy and it is a member of the Adaptation Action Coalition launched by UK Prime minister, Boris Johnson. Short link: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) planned second session on Ethiopia's controversial Nile dam is "unprecedented" and comes in light of the efforts made by Egypt to convince its member states of the seriousness of the situation and the importance of the council carrying out its responsibilities. The UNSC is due to meet on Thursday upon request by Egypt and Sudan in an attempt to settle the dispute over the near-complete Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia has been building since 2011 on the Blue Nile. In preparation for the session, Shoukry headed on Sunday morning to the United States, where he is scheduled to hold a series of intensive meetings with a number of his counterparts, permanent delegates of the UNSC's member states, and the UN officials, a statement by the ministry said. Shoukry is going to highlight Egypt's stance that is based on the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam that takes into account the interests of the three countries and preserves Egypt's water rights and interests, the foreign ministrys spokesman Ahmed Hafez said in the statement. In a phone interview with Al-Kahera Wal Nas TV channel on Saturday night, Shoukry said it was necessary to push for a second UNSC session after 10 years of negotiations have stumbled. Ethiopia intends this month to commence its unilateral second filling of the GERD, with both downstream countries rejecting such one-sided move, describing it to be a clear violation of international law and threatens regional security and peace. We, Shoukry said, will place the UNSC and the international community before their responsibilities because the GERD issue threatens international peace, security and stability, and the UNSC has to rectify this and work to contain any possible escalation. He hoped for the UNSC to show a specific stance that in return would enhance the chances of reaching an agreement on GERD that would meet the aspirations of the three parties, noting that this matter "is being discussed with members in intensive consultations to determine the framework of this outcome and what it aims for". Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly declared that "Ethiopian intransigence" was behind the failure of the African Union (AU)-sponsored GERD talks that have been initiated since last summer and stalled in April. On recent statements by French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere that that the UNSC can only bring the parties together and encourage them to return to negotiations to reach a solution, Shoukry said such remarks "did not take into account full coordination with France." Egypt, he stressed, has always been striving to negotiate and reach a legally binding agreement, and the UNSC is the body that expresses the will of the international community and is responsible for following up on issues and outcomes. In earlier statements, Egypt's Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati said throughout the decade-long negotiations Egypt proposed 15 scenarios, which guaranteed the GERD would continue to generate at least 80 per cent of Ethiopias electricity output even during the worst droughts, but Addis Ababa rejected them all. From one side, Ethiopia evades the legally binding deal that Egypt and Sudan are seeking on the filling and operation of the GERD, and only seeks guidelines that can be modified any time at its discretion, and opposes any international mediation proposed by the two downstream countries to facilitate negotiations and bring the views closer. Egypt, whose 100 million-plus population is expected to increase by 75 million by 2050, is considered one of the most water-scarce countries in the world as it receives around 60 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually mainly from the River Nile though its needs is 114 bcm. The country, which relies on the world-longest River Nile for more than 95 per cent of its renewable water resources, fears the unilateral filling and operation of the massive dam will significantly diminish its water supply, which at 560 m3 per person annually is already well below the international threshold for water scarcity. Sudan has said that the unilateral filling of GERD would threaten the lives of millions of its people living downstream the dam, jeopardize the operational safety of its dams, and consequently risk Sudan's national security. Short link: The four people found dead in Cyprus early Sunday morning as the result of a huge forest fire are Egyptians, according to a statement by Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The four bodies were still unidentified by Cypriot authorities early on Sunday, but the Egyptian foreign ministry confirmed their identities in an official statement hours later, having contacted the authorities there. "The Egyptian Embassy in Nicosia learned from the Cypriot authorities that four Egyptian citizens, who were working in Cyprus, were killed as a result of the fires," the statement added. The blaze, which Cypriot officials described as the "worst and most destructive" in decades, broke out on Saturday morning and is still raging in some areas for the second day. The victims corpses were found close to Odou, a mountainous village in the Larnaca District of Cyprus, according to Reuters. The Egyptian Embassy in Nicosia said it is in contact with the Cypriot officials to follow up on all related developments. The bodies of the Egyptian expats will be repatriated once all required measures are finalised, according to the Egyptian statement. The blaze has caused "loss of life" and destroyed property and forest lands, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades tweeted. "The government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims," Anastasiades added. Short link: The Senate Egypts consultative upper house provisionally approved on Sunday a new law aiming to upgrade the system of drafting the states annual budget. Speaker of the Senate Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Razek said the new General Unified Finance Law helps achieve the governments economic reform plans and enhance the governments socio-economic development objectives. The Senates Deputy Speaker, Bahaa El-Din Abu Shoka said one of the key objectives of the government-drafted General Unified Finance Law is to merge two pieces of legislation regulating the annual state budget and government accounting into a single bill. These two pieces of legislation were passed a long time ago and so have become unable to keep pace with the latest changes in the area of drafting state budgets and using digital and mechanised systems in this respect, said Abu Shoka. Senator Ihab Zakaria said the new bill is part of the governments economic and structural reforms that go in line with modern international methods in the area of budgeting and accounting. I hope that the government will prepare for this law well by issuing detailed executive regulations and conducting training courses for state employees in order to be able to implement it as required, said Zakaria. Voicing his agreement, Senate Speaker Abdel-Razek said that, once passed, it would be difficult to implement the General Unified Finance Law without issuing clear-cut and detailed executive regulations. I think that executive regulations are in many cases more important than the law itself, said Abdel-Razek. Senator Fayez Abu Harb said the new General Unified Finance Law is a very progressive step because it targets achieving transparency during the preparation of the countrys annual budget in terms of using the e-signature system and modern mechanised methods which help achieve fiscal discipline, rationalise public spending, and boost accountability and budgeting performance, said Abu Harb. A report prepared by the Senates Financial, Economic, and Investment Affairs Committee said the government-drafted General Unified Finance Law aims to improve Egypts financial performance. However, the government believes that this will never be possible without merging two laws which regulate Egypts financial performance the states Public Budget Law 53/1973 and Government Accounting Law 127/1981, said the report, adding that the step to unify the two laws comes upon the recommendation of international financial institutions and in light of the worldwide shift to digital and mechanised budgetary and accounting systems. Article one of the new General Unified Finance Law states that all state institutions covered by the annual state budget will be subject to the law. These institutions include the states administrative units, local administration units, general and service organisations, private funds and accounts, economic organisations, and projects funded by private accounts. Short link: Egypts Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced on Sunday that it will sign a settlement agreement on Wednesday with the owner of the Ever Given ship, which ran aground and blocked Egypts Suez Canal in March. In a short statement, the SCA invited journalists to attend the signing of the settlement on Wednesday, followed by a press conference. The ship will be allowed to depart the Suez following the signing of the agreement. The UK Club which insured the giant vessel announced two weeks ago that an initial agreement was reached between the SCA and its owners after weeks of negotiations. A representative of the owners and insurers of the Ever Given told Reuters on Sunday that a formal settlement had been agreed to with the canal authority to allow the vessel to be released. The SCA has held the giant ship and its crew in a lake between two stretches of the waterway since it was dislodged on March 29, amid a dispute over a demand for compensation by the SCA. The Japanese-owned Ever Given became stuck in high winds and remained wedged across the canal for six days, disrupting global trade. "Preparations for the release of the vessel will be made and an event marking the agreement will be held at the Authority's headquarters in Ismailia in due course," Faz Peermohamed of Stann Marine, which represents owner Shoei Kisen and its insurers, said in a statement. Earlier on Sunday an Egyptian court adjourned hearings in the compensation dispute to July 11 to allow the canal and the ship's owner to finalise a settlement, court sources and a lawyer said. Shoei Kisen and its insurers said last month they had reached an agreement in principle with the SCA. The SCA had demanded $916 million in compensation to cover salvage efforts, reputational damage and lost revenue before publicly lowering the request to $550 million. Shoei Kisen and the ship's insurers had disputed the claim and the ship's detention under an Egyptian court order. Short link: Egyptian authorities executed Moatez Mostafa Hassan on Sunday, who was convicted of attempting to assassinate former head of Alexandria security directorate police general Mostafa El-Nemr in March 2018. The Supreme State Security sentenced three people to death and 11 others to life in prison in June 2020 for the attempted assassination, which killed two of his guards in a car bombing. The case included 11 defendants, only two of which were arrested while the rest are on the run and stood trial in absentia. The prosecution accused the defendants of a number of charges, including joining the Hasm terrorist organization, planning to kill the head of Alexandria security directorate and his guards, killing two of the guards and destroying public and private property. Short link: . Sudan called Saturday for a ceasefire and dialogue in neighbouring Ethiopia, warning of regional instability, as fighting intensified in war-hit Tigray region across the border "The Sudanese government is deeply concerned about the developments in Ethiopia, which may have a negative impact on regional stability," it said in a statement. It urged "all the parties in neighbouring Ethiopia to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table". Ethiopia's northern Tigray region has been rocked by fighting since last November 4, when the federal government unleashed a military operation against dissidents in the region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced his forces had seized control of Tigray's capital Mekele weeks later. But last week, rebel fighters announced retaking Mekele and dismissed a unilateral ceasefire declared by the government as a "joke". Sudan said it would "spare no effort" to work with all the Ethiopian factions to resolve the conflict. The months-long fighting has left thousands dead and plunged the region into a humanitarian crisis. It has also sent some 60,000 refugees fleeing into Sudan, a nation struggling with its own economic woes and a rocky transition since the April 2019 ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir. The Tigray conflict comes at a time of souring Khartoum-Addis Ababa ties over use of the fertile Fashaga border region where Ethiopian farmers have long cultivated land claimed by Sudan. Sudan, along with Egypt, has also been locked in a long-running dispute over Ethiopia's construction of a massive hydro-electric dam on the Blue Nile. Cairo sees the barrage as an existential threat to its water supply, while Khartoum fears its own dams would be harmed without a binding agreement with Addis Ababa. Short link: . Rebels in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region on Sunday accepted "a ceasefire in principle" but posed strict conditions for it to be formalised Notable among those conditions was the withdrawal from the region of Eritrean forces as well as fighters from the neighbouring Ethiopian region of Amhara, who have been supporting the Ethiopian army during the eight-month long conflict. Tigray has been the scene of fighting since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent the army in early November to topple the dissident regional authorities, which emerged from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner accused them of orchestrating attacks on Ethiopian military bases. After early successes and a premature declaration of victory, government forces were bogged down in a vicious and months-long battle with pro-TPLF fighters -- the Tigray Defence Forces, or TDF. The Ethiopian army was backed by troops from the neighbouring Amhara region and the army of Eritrea, which borders Tigray. On Monday, the TDF recaptured Mekele, held by the Ethiopian army since 28 November. The government in Addis Ababa immediately declared a unilateral ceasefire, but this was swiftly derided as a "joke" by the rebel forces, which vowed to continue fighting. Now the rebels have agreed to a ceasefire in principle but another of their conditions is the restoration of what Addis Ababa considers the rebel government in Tigray. The United Nations and numerous government have called for a ceasefire to be respected, especially to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilian populations. "As long as we have a foolproof guarantee that the security of our people will not be compromised by a second round of invasions, we accept a ceasefire in principle," a statement signed by the "government of Tigray" said on Sunday. - 'Thorny issues' - "However, before a ceasefire agreement is formalised, the following thorny issues must be resolved," the text continues, before listing the conditions. The rebel authorities are also calling for "procedures to hold Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Issaias Aferworki to account for "the damage they have caused", as well as the creation by the UN of an independent investigation body to probe the 'horrific crimes' carried out during the conflict. Other conditions are humanitarian, including the distribution of aid and the safe return to Tigray of displaced people. The government in Addis Ababa has always refused to open any dialogue with the TPLF leaders, classifying the group as a terrorist organisation by parliamentary decree. According to the UN, over 400,000 people have "crossed the threshold into famine" in Tigray and 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine. Short link: Four soldiers were killed when their patrol was ambushed by suspected militants in central Mali on Sunday, the army said in a statement The region is where Mali is battling Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The army said in a statement that the patrol was ambushed near the town of Lere on Sunday morning. "The provisional toll is at four soldiers killed," it said. The attack comes as France, which has deployed over 5,000 counter-terrorism soldiers in Mali to help combat militants, said on Friday that it has resumed jointed military operations with Mali after they were suspended following a coup. Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo Writing by Bate Felix Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky. Short link: A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank Saturday, Palestinian authorities said, in an incident Israel's occupation army described as a "violent confrontation" between Palestinians and Jewish settlers. An Israeli army statement did not confirm the fatality, but said troops had fired at a suspect who threw "a suspicious object that exploded on the soldiers", amid the unrest. The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammad Fareed Hasan, who was in his 20s, was killed in his village of Qusra near the city Nablus by Israeli gunfire, while two others were wounded. "Hasan was standing on the rooftop of his home when he was shot dead," said a report on the official Wafa news agency. According to Wafa, Palestinians in Qusra, were "fending off an attack by hardcore Israeli settlers on the village". Israel's army said: "a violent confrontation between tens of Palestinians and Israeli settlers developed adjacent to the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, during which both sides hurled rocks at each other. "Troops who were present at the scene operated to distance both sides from the area using riot dispersal means. "During the activity, a suspect was identified throwing a suspicious object that exploded on the soldiers, who responded by firing at the threat," the statement added. Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, have proliferated in recent years. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli settlers and occupation troops are common. The Nablus area has seen heightened tension in recent days as Palestinians have held furious protests against the construction of an illegal Jewish outpost near the village of Beita. The settlers evacuated the outpost, known as Eviatar, on Friday in accordance an agreement they reached with Israel's new coalition government. There was no immediate indication of a link between the Eviatar fracas and Saturday's unrest. There are roughly 475,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, living alongside some 2.8 million Palestinians, in communities regarded as illegal by most of the international community. Short link: The Canadian military was on standby Saturday to help evacuate towns and fight more than 170 wildfires fueled by a record-smashing heat wave and tinder-dry conditions as the government in Ottawa warned of a "long and challenging summer" ahead. At least 174 fires were active in the western province of British Columbia, 78 of them sparked in the last two days, officials said. Most were caused by intense lightning storms. The fires were north of the city of Kamloops, 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Vancouver. "We saw 12,000 lightning strikes, roughly, yesterday," said Cliff Chapman, the director of provincial operations for British Columbia Wildfire Service, according to public broadcaster the CBC. "Many of those lightning strikes were hitting near communities, (as) was seen in the Kamloops area." While the immediate blame for the scorching heat has been placed on a high-pressure "heat dome" trapping warm air in the region, climate change is making record-setting temperatures more frequent. Globally, the decade to 2019 was the hottest recorded, and the five hottest years on record have all occurred since 2012, according to climate.gov. "The dry conditions and the extreme heat in British Columbia are unprecedented," Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said Friday. "These wildfires show that we are in the earliest stages of what promises to be a long and challenging summer." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Friday with an incident response group that included several ministers, after earlier speaking with local, provincial and indigenous leaders. "We will be there to help," he told reporters. The response group said it would establish an operations center in Edmonton, with up to 350 military personnel providing logistical support to the region, according to Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan. Military aircraft are also being deployed. Roughly 1,000 people have fled the wildfires in British Columbia, with many others still missing. The British Columbia medical examiner's office said there had been 719 deaths in the past week, "three times more" than the average number recorded over the period. Lisa Lapointe, the province's chief coroner, said the extreme weather was likely "a significant contributing factor." The village of Lytton, 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of Vancouver, was evacuated Wednesday after a fire flared up and spread quickly. Nearly 90 percent of the village was torched, according to Brad Vis, an MP for the area. "We really just had to get out there and we had no choice," resident Gordon Murray told CBC. "We grabbed the pets that we could find. We had to leave one behind. We grabbed our wallets and got in the car. We didn't have time for anything else." On Tuesday, the village set a Canadian record of 49.6 degrees Celsius (121 degrees Fahrenheit). - Wide area affected- The heat wave continued to spread across central Canada on Saturday, also affecting the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as parts of the Northwest Territories and northern Ontario. "A dangerous long-duration heat wave will continue," bringing "very warm temperatures over the next couple of days," Environment Canada warned in bulletins for British Columbia. Lytton resident Jeff Chapman told the CBC he saw his parents die in the fire that engulfed the town. With only minutes to react, the elderly couple sought shelter in a trench in their backyard, as Chapman ran for safety at nearby rail tracks. From that vantage, he said, he saw the fires sweep across and destroy most of the town. British Columbia also warned of flooding from melting mountain snowcaps and glaciers. Further south, the US states of Washington and Oregon have also suffered record temperatures. The death toll in Oregon from heat-related causes has hit 94, the state's medical examiner said late Friday. Three wildfires in drought-hit northern California have scorched nearly 40,000 acres (16,200 hectares), including a popular tourist lake preparing to welcome visitors for the July 4 holiday weekend. Evacuation orders were in place along stretches of Shasta Lake. Around 40 structures were destroyed. Short link: Pakistan's national security advisor has accused India of orchestrating last month's deadly car bombing in the eastern city of Lahore, saying Sunday that an investigation has shown it was organized by an Indian intelligence operative. In a news conference in Islamabad, Moeed Yousuf said the probe showed that the man was an Indian citizen living in India who works for that country's RAW intelligence agency. He did not name the alleged mastermind. ``Through the forensic analysis, electronic equipment, which has been recovered from these terrorists, we have identified the main mastermind and the handlers of this terrorist attack. And we have no doubt in informing you that the main mastermind belongs to RAW, lives in India and is an Indian citizen.'' He said Pakistan will continue its efforts to expose India's sponsorship of such attacks internationally. The explosion took place outside the residence of anti-India militant leader Hafiz Saeed, who himself has been designated a terrorist by the U.S. Justice Department and has a $10 million bounty on his head. India accuses Saeed of helping mastermind the deadly 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed nearly 170 people at several occasions including the luxury Taj Hotel. He was unharmed in the powerful explosion in Lahore's Johar Town neighborhood that killed three and wounded 24. India and Pakistan routinely accuse the other of carrying out clandestine attacks on the other's territory. Saeed is a highly wanted suspect in India, and Pakistan has been criticized by India and the United States for not taking stronger actions against him. Punjab police chief Inam Ghani said all those involved in the bombing have been arrested, including an Afghan who lived in Pakistan and actually parked the explosives-laden car at the site of blast. Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi couldn't be reached for comment. Short link: Tropical storm Elsa battered Jamaica and Cuba with winds and rain Sunday after claiming at least three lives while cutting a path of destruction through the Caribbean, authorities said. Flooding, mudslides and destructive gusts were expected as the storm -- downgraded from hurricane status but still powerful -- crept north toward the United States. "Across portions of southern Haiti and Jamaica, storm total rainfall of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) with isolated total amounts of 15 inches are expected through today," the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Sunday. The NHC reported a tropical storm warning for Cuba, Jamaica and the Florida Keys, with a weakening Elsa forecast to hit western Florida as early as Tuesday. In Surfside, Florida, where a high-rise condo building collapsed on June 24, authorities said they might topple a remaining part of the building in a controlled implosion as early as Sunday -- avoiding the risk that Elsa might bring it down more destructively. As of 2 pm Sunday (1800 GMT), Elsa was packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles (95 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said. Centered in waters north of Kingston, Jamaica, it was beginning to be felt on Cuba's southern coast, with forecasters predicting heavy rains and "strong and intense" wind gusts. On the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, a 15-year-old boy was killed Saturday near Bahoruco when a wall collapsed; and a 75-year-old woman in Bani met a similar fate, the Listin Diario newspaper said. A third person died in Soufriere on the island state of Santa Lucia, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) said, without offering details. Heavy winds led to widespread electricity and water outages, the CDEMA said. It said hundreds of homes in Barbados were damaged. Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, reported no deaths or "serious damage" though some crops were battered, according to Jerry Chandler, who heads that country's civil protection agency. On Friday, Elsa -- then packing winds of 75 miles per hour -- became the first hurricane of the Atlantic season before weakening to tropical-storm status on Saturday. Short link: Egypt's Sisi says negotiations with Ethiopia over GERD dispute should not last forever Ahram Online, , Sunday 4 Jul 2021 The President said Egypt has never threatened any country directly or indirectly throughout history despite its great military power Negotiations with Addis Ababa over its disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) should not go on indefinitely, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said, five days before the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) anticipated session on the decade-long row. Egypt's approach in the negotiations with Ethiopia over the past ten years has been based on the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement on the dam in accordance with international norms and constants, El-Sisi said Saturday during a lunch banquet following the launch of a military drill at a newly-opened naval base in the countrys northwest coast. Egypt, El-Sisi stressed, has never threatened any country directly or indirectly throughout history despite its great military power. "Part of such military capabilities was shown at the Qader 2021 Maneuver," he added, according to a video released by the Egyptian presidencys official website. The president also extended thanks to "all friendly countries over their mediation efforts to settle the GERD issue." The downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, have been negotiating in vain with upstream Ethiopia for a decade to reach an agreement over the multi-billion dollar hydropower dam, which is under construction since 2011 on a main tributary of the Nile river, the crucial source of water to Cairo and Khartoum. The UNSC is set to hold a session over the long-running issue on Thursday at a request from Cairo and Khartoum as the two countries say the controversial project will threaten the regional security and stability if Addis Ababa fills the dam this summer as announced despite the lack of accord. Addis Ababa plans to fill the dam for the second time in July with 13.5 billion cubic metres of water without agreement with Cairo and Khartoum. The UNSC's session is not the first about the crisis, as the 15-member body held a session in June 2020 at Egypt's request due to what Cairo described as Ethiopia's "intransigence" in negotiations. During the session, the council urged the three countries to reach a consensus and warned against unilateral actions. The three countries agreed to continue negotiations under the aegis of the African Union, but Ethiopia held 4.9 billion cubic metres of water behind its dam a month later without coordinating with Egypt and Sudan. Egypt, which depends on the Nile for over 95 percent of its freshwater, does not oppose the dam but fears the dam will affect its water share if a legally binding deal is not reached. Sudan also fears the GERD will put the operation of its Roseires Dam and the lives of 20 million Sudanese citizens at a very high risk in the absence of a binding deal. https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/416521.aspx Sudan urges ceasefire in Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray AFP, , Sunday 4 Jul 2021 The Sudanese government is deeply concerned about the developments in Ethiopia, which may have a negative impact on regional stability, it said in a statement Sudan called Saturday for a ceasefire and dialogue in neighbouring Ethiopia, warning of regional instability, as fighting intensified in war-hit Tigray region across the border. "The Sudanese government is deeply concerned about the developments in Ethiopia, which may have a negative impact on regional stability," it said in a statement. It urged "all the parties in neighbouring Ethiopia to stop the fighting and come to the negotiating table". Ethiopia's northern Tigray region has been rocked by fighting since last November 4, when the federal government unleashed a military operation against dissidents in the region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced his forces had seized control of Tigray's capital Mekele weeks later. But last week, rebel fighters announced retaking Mekele and dismissed a unilateral ceasefire declared by the government as a "joke". Sudan said it would "spare no effort" to work with all the Ethiopian factions to resolve the conflict. The months-long fighting has left thousands dead and plunged the region into a humanitarian crisis. It has also sent some 60,000 refugees fleeing into Sudan, a nation struggling with its own economic woes and a rocky transition since the April 2019 ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir. The Tigray conflict comes at a time of souring Khartoum-Addis Ababa ties over use of the fertile Fashaga border region where Ethiopian farmers have long cultivated land claimed by Sudan. Sudan, along with Egypt, has also been locked in a long-running dispute over Ethiopia's construction of a massive hydro-electric dam on the Blue Nile. Cairo sees the barrage as an existential threat to its water supply, while Khartoum fears its own dams would be harmed without a binding agreement with Addis Ababa. https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/416528.aspx KYODO NEWS - Jul 4, 2021 - 20:41 | World, All, Japan Myanmar's security forces forcibly entered the homes of Japanese diplomatic and aid staff in the country's largest city Yangon in April, a Japanese government source said Sunday. The security forces were apparently trying to search the premises of pro-democracy forces that oppose the military, but they withdrew once they learned the occupants were Japanese, the source said. The occupants were not harmed. The Japanese Embassy in Yangon lodged a protest with Myanmar authorities, citing a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which stipulates the protection of diplomats from arrest or detention, and inviolability of mission premises. No similar incident has since occurred, according to the source. The source said members of the security forces forcibly entered a housing complex where many foreigners live on the night of April 17. The armed personnel proceeded into the entrance of a Japanese diplomat's unit. In the case of a Japan International Cooperation Agency member, they forced their way into the person's living room. The incident occurred at a time when many pro-democracy activists were detained. On April 18, Yangon-based Japanese freelance journalist Yuki Kitazumi was arrested in the city. Kitazumi later returned to Japan after being released from a prison where many political prisoners have been kept. Since the military seized power in a coup in February, ousting the elected government of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 890 people have been killed in military crackdowns in Myanmar, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group tracking deaths and detainees in the Southeast Asian country. Related coverage: Japan to let asylum-seeking Myanmar soccer player stay 6 months Firm led by former Japan minister in JV linked with Myanmar military Japan permits continued stay of Myanmar residents due to coup KYODO NEWS - Jul 4, 2021 - 10:24 | Feature, All, Japan Women held just 5.9 percent of director-level jobs in the Japanese government's offices in Tokyo in fiscal 2020, underscoring the country's slow progress in closing the gender gap in the workplace. The Cabinet Office released data Thursday showing the share of such positions held by female public servants only rose 0.6 percentage points from the previous year, falling short of the government's target of 7 percent. Seven of the 18 ministries and agencies the data covers failed to reach the target. The worst performer was the National Public Safety Commission with 1.4 percent, followed by the Defense Ministry with 1.8 percent and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with 2.1 percent. The others were the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications with 3.7 percent, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries with 4.1 percent, the Board of Audit with 5.9 percent and the Finance Ministry with 6.3 percent. The data show how deeply entrenched traditional gender roles remain in Japan and the difficulties facing empowerment of women. The country sits at 120th in the World Economic Forum's gender gap rankings, by far the worst among the Group of Seven industrialized nations. The top performers in fiscal 2020 that ended in March were the National Personnel Authority with 13.1 percent, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology with 11.8 percent and the Cabinet Office with 11.5 percent. The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, for its part, adopted a new basic plan for gender equality in December including a target for women to hold 10 percent of director-level jobs in the government's Tokyo offices by the end of fiscal 2025. The government plans to hold further discussions this year on concrete steps to increase the share of leadership roles held by women including adopting quotas. Related coverage: FOCUS: Japanese parties vie to boost No. of female lawmakers ahead of polls Women account for record 37% of Japanese civil servant hires Gov't panel warns of widening gender gap in Japan due to pandemic KYODO NEWS - Jul 5, 2021 - 00:17 | All, Japan Intermittent rain and the risk of a secondary disaster posed difficulties to rescue workers racing against time following a large mudslide in a hot spring resort town southwest of Tokyo that killed at least two people and destroyed more than 100 houses. The local governments also have been struggling to confirm how many people went missing after Saturday's disaster in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture. They initially reported some 20 were unaccounted for but now say they are trying to reach nearly 150 people, some of whom may have moved before the incident. So far, 23 people have been rescued from where they were trapped, including a seriously injured woman, the municipal government of Atami said. Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu said the prefecture will look into whether the mudslide resulted from the housing land and other development projects that deforested the area and may have reduced the capacity of mountain soils to retain water. Such a project had been under way at the location where the mudslide started, the prefectural government said, adding that about 100,000 cubic meters of soil collapsed into a nearby river. A witness downstream said the river, usually less than 2 meters wide, was overflowing with dark water and had swollen to several dozen meters wide. Around 1,100 firefighters, police and Self-Defense Forces personnel were involved in the search for the missing while work to clear away mud and debris using heavy machinery began early in the morning. The work on Sunday ended at 6 p.m. The disaster destroyed homes after mud cascaded down a mountain top around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, traveling a distance of about 2 kilometers. As of Sunday noon, nearly 390 people had evacuated. The coast guard also continued looking for missing persons at a nearby port, where two women showing no signs of life were discovered and later confirmed dead Saturday. Atami Mayor Sakae Saito instructed members of a local task force meeting to do their best in the search and rescue efforts, saying the "72 hours (after the incident) are crucial." Related coverage: 2 dead, some 20 missing in large mudslide southwest of Tokyo The Japan Meteorological Agency said heavy rain is expected to continue mainly in areas on the Sea of Japan side of the country and warned the public to be vigilant against further mudslides, flooding and swollen rivers. According to the Shizuoka Local Meteorological Office, some areas will experience heavy rain with thunder into Monday afternoon. It also forecasted cumulative rainfall of 500 millimeters and said there was a risk of mudslides even in areas experiencing lower levels of rainfall. In Tokyo, the central government, which set up a task force at the prime minister's office Saturday, continues to monitor the situation. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga ordered relevant Cabinet ministers to work closely with the local government to protect the people while taking extra care over another disaster. Services on Tokaido shinkansen bullet trains fully resumed from the first run early Sunday, its operator Central Japan Railway Co. said. By Bikash Sangraula, KYODO NEWS - Jul 4, 2021 - 17:28 | All, World, Japan Groups representing Bhutanese forcibly evicted from Bhutan have written to the Japanese prime minister asking that Japan withdraw a decoration conferred upon Dago Tshering, a former home minister accused by human rights activists of being a key perpetrator of ethnic cleansing in the Himalayan kingdom three decades ago. In April, the Japanese government said that Tshering, Bhutan's home minister from 1991 to 1998 and ambassador to Japan from 1999 to 2008, would receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, earning him the distinction of being the first Bhutanese to get the honor. "While we acknowledge the desire of your government to strengthen mutual relationship between Bhutan and Japan through the conferral of this award, we regret to state that this very gesture of goodness has unlocked deep-seated injury and trauma that many of us Bhutanese have personally undergone during the Home Minister's tenure," the groups said in a letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga dated June 24. The groups represent Bhutanese living in the United States and elsewhere in the world, including nearby Nepal. Japan's Foreign Ministry and the Cabinet Office, both of which deal with state decorations, denied knowledge of the letter. While the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi acknowledged it is aware of the letter's content, it did not say whether Japan officially received it. In 1988, the Bhutan government implemented a national integration policy centered on the traditions embraced by majority Tibetan Buddhists, sparking anti-government movements among Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens. On Aug. 17, 1990, then Deputy Home Minister Tshering revoked the citizenship of thousands of Bhutanese citizens. His order, and the ensuing state persecution of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese citizens, forced 130,000 Bhutanese to flee Bhutan and settle in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. They were prevented by Indian security personnel from settling in India or re-entering Bhutan. The refugees lived for two decades in Nepal in makeshift camps, during which countless efforts at repatriation failed. Under a resettlement program launched in 2007, most Bhutanese refugees were resettled in eight countries -- the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Britain and the Netherlands. A few thousand Bhutanese refugees still live in Nepal, hoping to return to their homeland. Bhutan human rights activist Tek Nath Rizal, who refused resettlement and lives in Nepal awaiting repatriation, says he cannot understand how the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star could be conferred on Tshering. "I cannot fathom how a country like Japan, which has championed for the guarantee of human right and democracy in Bhutan in various forms for years, has now decided to award Dago Tshering, a racist, ruthless and corrupt former home minister," Rizal was quoted as saying in a guest piece published on The Diplomat, an online news magazine, in May. In an online signature campaign seeking broader support for the demand, members of what some human rights activists call the most forgotten refugees in the world have mentioned gross abuses, including arrest, torture, and eviction they faced, and have expressed a belief that Japan will revoke the award. "I am signing this petition because my father was arrested and tortured by the Bhutan Army for months in Bhutan. This was done under the strict order and watch of Dago Tshering. Our property was then snatched from us, and we were driven out of our country. Bhutan and Dago Tshering is responsible for all this," Malty Sharma, one of the signers, wrote. In announcing the conferral of the honor on April 29, the Japanese government said Tshering "contributed to the strengthening of ties between Japan and Bhutan as well as to friendship" between their peoples. ==Kyodo New Delhi: Four people, including the National Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone N Sangma, have been killed in an IED blast in Meghalayas Garo Hills on late Sunday night. The dead includes Sangma, his two bodyguards, and a supporter, were returning to Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills, after an election campaign in Sawilgre village, officials claimed. District Magistrate Ramkumar S, said, Four bodies were found on the spot, including that of NCP candidate. Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma took to Twitter to share his condolences. He tweeted, Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocent spilled by the enemies of the state will not disturb peace in Meghalaya. Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone N Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocents spilled by the enemies of the State will not disturb the peace in Meghalaya. Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) February 18, 2018 He also assured that the perpetrators will be brought into light and apprehended. This desperate act will not be tolerated. The perpetrators of the crime will be apprehended expeditiously and brought to book. Mukul Sangma (@mukulsangma) February 18, 2018 Vincent Pala, the working president of Meghalaya Congress Unit, and Member of Parliament (MP) representing Shillong in Lok Sabha, said, We strongly condemn the incident and we stand by Jonathone's family at this moment. These incidents shouldn't take place in a state like Meghalaya. Also Read: BJP president Amit Shah to address election rallies in Meghalaya on Friday The Meghalaya Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), in a serious concern, said, Our thoughts are with the near and dear ones of NCP candidate Shri Jonathone N Sangma and those traveling with him. The news comes as a serious concern on the eve of elections. Terrorists are suspected to be behind planting the IED explosive device which killed Sangma and his associates. Jonathone Sangma had received death threats during elections in 2013 and was given extra security based on the threat perception, said a police officer. The Meghalaya Assembly elections, for the 60-member House in the state, are scheduled to be held on February 27. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Bihar school examination scandal 2016 attracted the attention of the people and brought into notice the loopholes in the system in the state. In a bid to keep a tight a check on cheating during the high school board examinations, the Bihar School Examination Board has introduced new guidelines. Students appearing in the board exams wont be allowed to wear socks and shoes and instead have to come in slippers in the examination halls. This is the first time that a measure like this has been taken by BSEB in order to curb cheating. Over 17 lakh class tenth students will write their board examinations from February 21 to February 28 across 1,426 centres across the state. The instruction comes after about 1000 students were expelled for cheating and using unfair means during the intermediate board examinations. BSEB Chairman Anand Kishor said, ''Candidates who wear only slippers will be allowed to enter the examination halls. Such practice has already been in place for few competitive examinations. Instructions have been issued to all the district education officers and examination centre superintendents to follow the order. While talking to ANI, Krishna Nandan Prasad Verma, the states Education Minister, lauded the move by BSEB. He said that the decision has been taken in order to save time which is spent on curbing cheating. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Voting for the 60-member Tripura Assembly will be held on Sunday with the BJP emerging as the main challenger to the ruling Left Front, which has been in power in the state for the last 25 years. Polling would be held in 59 of the total 60 seats. Voting in Charilam Assembly constituency would be held on March 12 due to the death of the CPI(M) candidate for the seat, Ramendra Narayan Deb Barma, five days ago. Twenty seats have been reserved for the scheduled tribes. The BJP held a high-voltage campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing as many as four rallies in the state. Other heavyweight leaders of the saffron party to take part in the campaign were its national president Amit Shah, Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and Smriti Irani and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Manik Sarkar, who is running for his fifth term as the chief minister, led the CPI(M)s campaign addressing around 50 rallies in the state. Other Left leaders like Sitaram Yechury and Brinda Karat lent support to the partys campaign. The Congress campaign was somewhat subdued with party president Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally at Kailashahar in Unakoti district, about 180 kms from Agartala, on the last day of campaigning. Altogether, 307 candidates are in the fray. The CPI(M) is contesting in 57 seats and while the other Left Front constituents, the RSP, Forward Bloc and CPI, in one seat each. The BJP, which has forged an alliance with tribal outfit Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) has fielded 51 candidates. IPFT will contest in the remaining nine seats. The Congress is going it alone in Tripura this time and will contest in 59 seats. The party has not fielded any candidate for Kakrabon constituency in Gomati district. There are 25,73,413 electorate, of whom 13,05,375 are males and 12,68,027 women while the number of third gender voters is 11. There are 47,803 new voters this time. Voting would be held between 7 am and 4 pm tomorrow at 3,214 polling stations of which 47 would be managed by women, election office sources said. Tripura chief electoral officer Sriram Taranikanti said the Election Commission has appointed police observers, general observers and expenditure observers to ensure free and fair polls. He said Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) R K Pachnanda has been appointed as a special observer to coordinate the security forces deployed in the state. State Director General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla said tight security measures are in place across Tripura for free and fair elections. Three hundred companies of central armed forces have been deployed across the state along with state armed personnel and the police, he said, adding the BSF is keeping keep close vigil along the 856 km long Indo-Bangladesh border in the state. Counting of votes would take place on March 3, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Modok said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bhopal: A BJP leader was detained on Sunday night by Madhya Pradesh Police for allegedly trying to rape an acid survivour in a Bhopal hotel, police said on Monday. The state BJP soon after learning the development suspended the leader from the party. The saffron partys state secretary Satyendra Bhushan Singh confirmed the development. Rajendra Namdeo was detained on Sunday night and was questioned for alleged rape attempt on a acid victim survivour, police said. The Madhya Pradesh government also issued an order to remove Namdeo from his current position as the vice president of the MP Silai Kadai Board. The position that gave him the status of a minister of state. The MP Police further added that the FIR under relevant IPC sections was registered against Namdeo on Sunday night for allegedly molesting and rape attempt on the woman on December 11 last year. The victim is a school teacher and came in contact with Namdeo after acid attack on her two years back. Also read: Maharashtra Police arrests Nagpur man for raping 13-year-old daughter Police said, The woman had told the police that Namdeo had called the victim to hotel room in Bhopal in pretext of providing financial aid from the chief minister. The victim further told us that he tried to rape her and she had not lodged an immediate complaint as she was threatened of dire consequences by the Namdeo, added Police. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mysuru: Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him "every day". Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally here, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more. In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: "Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?" Recalling his Bengaluru remark that "it is a 10 per cent commission business," Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. "They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that," he said. "Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka," Modi said. He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state. Also Read: PM Modi Bengaluru rally Highlights: Says Congress 10 per cent sarkar, supports ease of doing murder "Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe." Contending that no state can function like this, he said, "They don't care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system." Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said "Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... but the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path." "He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction." Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading "lies repeatedly" and asked the people to question its record. "Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?" he said, attacking the Congress. "They don't even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. "You are talking from a wrong place; the country can never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer...." he said. Also Read: Ahead of PM Modi's rally, pro-Kannada groups observe Black Day in Bengaluru Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as "bumps", he said. Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said. "The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. "Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka.." Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently. Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore. He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway. The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers. Also Read: PM Modi in Anand: Rajiv Gandhi showed you sickness, but I would do away with this illness Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The CBI has booked Kanpur-based businessman Vikram Kothari, his wife and son in connection with the alleged swindling of Rs 3,695 crore of loan funds advanced by a consortium of seven banks to his company Rotomac Global Pvt Limited. The banking scam has surfaced in the backdrop of Rs 11,384 crore alleged fraud reported by Punjab National Bank, involving billionaire Nirav Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi. Rotomac Global Pvt Limited was given bank loans worth Rs 2,919 crore from 2008 onwards by a consortium of banks led by Bank of India which have swelled to Rs 3,695, including the accrued interest, because of repeated defaults on payment, the officials said. The principal exposure of the banks with regards to the loan is Bank of India Rs 754.77 crore, Bank of Baroda Rs 456.63 crore, Overseas Bank of India Rs 771.07 crore, Union Bank of India Rs 458.95 crore, Allahabad Bank Rs 330.68 crore, Bank of Maharashtra 49.82 crore and Oriental Bank of Commerce Rs 97.47 crore, they said. The loans were being advanced to the company from 2008 onwards, the Bank of Baroda has alleged. The case against Rotomac Global Pvt Limited, its directors Vikram Kothari, his wife Sadhana Kothari, and son Rahul Kothari and unidentified bank officials was filed on a complaint received from Bank of Baroda, they said. Also Read: ED registers case against Rotomac Pens owner in Rs 800 Cr bank fraud case The agency searched three locations in Kanpur, including Kothari's residence and office premises. There have been no arrests in the case yet, CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal categorically said. He said Kothari, his wife and his son were examined by the CBI, which is conducting the searches. "The total outstanding amount of the members of consortium of banks has come to Rs 3,695 crore of bank loan which was siphoned off by the said company," Dayal said in a statement. He said a residential apartment and office premises of the accused in Delhi have been sealed. It is alleged that loans were being siphoned off by diverting them from the purpose for which they were taken. The company adopted two different methods for diverting the funds--loans for exports were round tripped from abroad and loans taken for purchasing export goods were used domestically without executing any export order. In a case, the company was given loan to export wheat to Singapore but it is alleged that Kothari transferred the money to a Singapore-based company Bargadia brothers which sent remittances back to the account of Rotomac Global without any export on ground. In some other cases, money disbursed by the banks for procurement of goods to export was not utilized and no export order was executed by the company. These are violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust as the funds given by the banks for specific purposes should be used for the same. Also Read: After Nirav Modi, Rotomac Pen's Rs 800 cr defaulter flees country The banks have alleged most of the transaction of this company was with limited number of buyers, sellers, sister companies and subsidiary of the company with no genuine business activities. It is also alleged that the company was using shell companies for carrying out this alleged round tripping operation and had also submitted fake and forged documents to "induce" banks to advance money to it. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on February 16 interacted with the students of Class 10 and 12 during an interactive session Pariksha Par Charcha organised at Delhi's Talkatora Stadium. Now schools have been asked to submit proofs in form of photos and videos that students watched the telecast of PM's guiding session following Ministry of Human Resource Developments (HRDs) direction to all state governments to collect reports on the session soon after the conclusion of the programme. Apart from the students who were present at Talkatora Stadium about 10 crore students from all over the country participated through video conferencing. The state governments had sequentially instructed all schools to provide details of how many students watched PMs speech and substantiate the submissions with photographs and videos of their participation. Schools across the country have received circulars to submit their evidence by February 19 as ordered by the state governments. "The ministry has not asked for any report on the participation of schools in the event. It was a routine feedback where no mandatory clause was given," said a senior HRD official while another HRD official said that it has been a practice for states to submit their feedback for events like the PM's recent session adding, "No evidence was sought." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will kick-start the second round of BJPs election campaign for upcoming Karnataka assembly election. During his visit to the poll-bound state, PM Modi will hold a rally and take part in various public meetings. Earlier last night, Modi arrived in Mysore and received by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. On Monday, he is scheduled to inaugurate the Bahubali General Hospital near Shravanabelagola, Hassan district. Later in the day, he will hold a rally in Mysore which is also the home district of CM Siddaramaiah. Most Read | Army Chief, NSA, FS visited Bhutan 2 weeks ago; discussed China, Doklam issue PM Modi in Karnataka LIVE UPDATES: # 4: 45 PM : India will enter 75 years of its Independence in 2022. We should work towards making a country which is just what our freedom fighters had dreamt of. # 4: 44 PM: If Congress really feels about those things why didn't they do something when they were in power for the last 50 years. # 4: 43 PM : Post-independence Congress was in power for 70-80% of the time. They are demanding facilities today which they should had provided during their tenure. # 4:43 PM : Congress is dividing the society. # 4:42 PM : Saints and seers from our land have always served society and made a positive difference # 4:41 PM : It is our duty to provide good quality and affordable healthcare to the poor # 04: 40 PM : To fulfill needs of the poorest of the poor, we need to strengthen our railway network. We are wroking to strengthen our railway networks from last four years. # 4: 35 PM: Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway will be widened be done with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore PM Modi addresses BJP election rally at Maharaja Ground in Mysuru #12:01 PM: Later in the day, PM Modi will also flag off Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru & Udaipur. PM Narendra Modi to flag off Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru & Udaipur later today. pic.twitter.com/AwLO26pIcF ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 #10:24 AM: Jain devotees throng Shravanabelagola to attend 'Mahamastakabhisheka' of Lord Bahubali in Karnataka's Hassan. #10:20 AM: PM Modi will also take part in 'Mahamastakabhisheka' of Lord Bahubali, a nine-day event of the holy bath of the worlds tallest monolith started on February 7. #10:00 AM: Hello and welcome to the news nation live updates on PM Modi's visit to Karnataka. This is PM Modi's second visit to poll-bound Karnataka in a fortnight. Today, the Prime Minister will take on CM Siddaramaiah in his own bastion and home district Mysore. Modi will address a rally in Mysore and will take part in several other public meetings. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) on Monday has increased the upper age limit by two years for aspirants seeking Railway Job for all categories. "For the ongoing recruitment of Group C Level I & II posts, Ministry of Railways have decided to extend the relaxation in upper age limit," the ministry said in a statement. Also, the aspirants will have the option to take the exam in regional languages like Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, Bangla and others, it said. "Last date of submission of application would be extended suitably," it added. The changes are made for the candidates who are applying for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and technicians and level 1 posts. For the other enquiry and details, aspirants can simply log on to the official website of Indian Railway@ indianrailways.gov.in. According to the notification, age limit for the unreserved candidates applying for the post of Loco Pilot is now 30 years, earlier it was limited to 28 years. Railway Recruitment Board has also made the changes for Level 1 posts. The age limit which was 31 years is now exceeded to 33 years (For Unreserved candidates). Following the same pattern, candidates applying under the reservation get the age limit benefit. Other Backward Cast (OBC) 36-years, Schedule Cast (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST) candidates can now apply up to the age of 38 years. For all the Latest Education News, Jobs News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Munich: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran over aggressions by what he called Iran and its 'proxies' in Syria, while showing what he claimed was a piece of an Iranian drone shot down in Israeli airspace. Saying he had "a message to the tyrants of Tehran" during a speech at the Munich Security Conference, he warned: "Do not test Israel's resolve." He brandished a rectangular piece of dark green metal which he called "a piece of that Iranian drone, or whats left of it, after we shot it down." Israel has said it shot down the drone on February 10 after it entered the country from Syria, and responded with a raid on what it said was the Iranian control systems for the craft in Syria. During the strikes, one of Israels F-16 fighter jets was shot down, believed to be the first loss of an Israeli plane in combat since 1982. Israel's response marked the first time it publicly acknowledged hitting Iranian targets in Syria since the 2011 start of the civil war there. Calling Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif the "smooth-talking mouthpiece of Iran's regime," Netanyahu said: "Mr Zarif, do you recognise this? You should, its yours." Again referring to Zarif, who is expected to speak later in Munich, the Israeli leader said: "No doubt Mr Zarif will brazenly deny Iran's involvement in Syria." "He lies with eloquence." The Israeli military has claimed the drone was a copy of a US model captured by Iran in 2011, based on an analysis of the drones debris. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Donald Trump Jr., eldest son of POTUS Donald Trump will deliver a speech on foreign policy related to the Indo-Pacific relations at an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present. Donald Trump Jr. is on a week-long unofficial visit to India to promote his family's real estate projects. Trump Jr., the executive vice president of the Trump Organization will meet investors and business leaders where his family has real estate projects, namely Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Gurugram. He will give an address on "Reshaping Indo-Pacific Ties: The New Era of Cooperation" at a global business summit on Friday evening where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present and speak on the topic of "Preparing India for the Future." Apartments worth $70 million have been sold since the Gurugram towers project was launched in early January said Amit Sharma, spokesman for the Gurugram developer. The prices of the flats vary between $780,000 and $1.6 million and the buildings have private elevator service, in-residence catering, and an indoor swimming pool. Along with the Trump Tower Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) in Gurugram, other projects include two residential towers Pune, towers in Mumbai and Kolkata, and a planned office tower in Gurugram. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched the Mumbai residence of diamond merchant Nirav Modi and seized assets worth Rs 5,716 crore as raids continued for the fifth day in connection with the agency's money laundering probe in the alleged Rs 11,400-crore Punjab National Bank fraud. Official sources said ED sleuths searched Modi's flat in the Samudra Mahal apartments in Worli. The central probe agency also conducted searches at 38 other locations in several cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Thane, Kolkata, Delhi, Jammu, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Surat. It seized fresh assets worth Rs 22 crore that include precious stones, cash and gold from the premises of Modi, his relative and business partner Mehul Choksi and others. The agency has so far seized diamonds, gold jewellery and other precious stones worth Rs 5,716 crore in the case and summoned Modi and Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, to appear before it on February 23 at its Mubai zonal office. ED sources said the agency is also talking to senior PNB officials to ascertain how Letters of Understanding (LoUs) are issued and other bank operations done. It also obtained information from the whistleblower in the case who had said he had raised flags against Choksis' loan in 2013. "We are looking at securing the proceeds of crime. The ED will probe how much illicit wealth was created by the accused in the alleged fraud," a senior official said. It has also sought PNB's audit reports since 2011 from the RBI, they said. The sources said the ED was looking at collecting all financial documents -- personal and official -- of Modi, Choksi and their businesses to take the probe forward and attach properties in the coming days. "A number of computer peripherals, hard drives and documents have been seized since the ED raids began on February 15. The seized items are being scrutinised," another official said. Also read: After Nirav Modi, Rotomac Pen's Rs 800 cr defaulter flees country ED Director Karnal Singh also flew down to Mumbai today to review the anti-money laundering investigations, which are being conducted by a special team of the agency. The ED is also moving to attach at least two dozen immovable properties of Modi, Choksi and their concerns under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED and the Income Tax department have zeroed in on about 200 dummy or shell companies in India and abroad that were being used to route or receive funds as part of the alleged fraud. It is suspected that the shell firms were being used by the accused to launder money and create benami assets in the form of land, gold and precious stones, which is now being probed by the tax department. Also read: Where is the 'Chaukidar' who says 'na khaunga, na khane dunga'?: Rahul Gandhi's salvo at PM Modi on PNB scam Modi, Choksi and others are being investigated by multiple probe agencies after it recently came to light, following a complaint by the PNB, that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of Rs 11,400 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank. The CBI and the ED have registered two FIRs each to probe the case. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Raipur: Chhattisgarh speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal on Monday suspended 30 lawmakers including 28 MLAs of Congress for protesting over invitation of Metal and Mining Corporation Rio Tinto for investment in the Assembly by the chief minister. The Opposition MLAs during the State Assembly demanded discussion on why Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh invited Metals & Mining Corporation Rio Tinto for investment in the state. On being denied discussion, the 30 MLAs started protesting alleging the Metals & Mining Corporation Rio Tinto has connection with Nirav Modi and is black listed in Madhya Pradesh. Furiated with the protests Agarwal suspended 30 MLAs. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Male: The state of emergency in trouble-torn Maldives was on Saturday extended by 30 days after a key parliamentary committee approved President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayooms request, a media report said, allowing him to reinforce his power in the picturesque Indian Ocean island nation. During an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Committee of the Peoples Majlis, approval was given to the Decree for State of Emergency submitted to the Peoples Majlis (Parliament) by President Yameen, the Sun online reported. Deputy Speaker of Peoples Majlis, MP Moosa Manik confirmed the decree was approved by the Committee during its meeting held behind closed doors. The Committee approved the decree as well as the request for a 30-day extension to the State of Emergency, the report said. A total of 38 MPs voted to accept the decree and forward it to the National Security Committee for evaluation. All opposition MPs boycotted the sitting, alleging it was held unconstitutionally, the report said. At least 43 MPs need to be present at the Majlis chamber in order for the decree to pass, the report said. President Yameen declared the emergency on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. Among them was exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. The court said his 2015 trial had been unconstitutional. Under the emergency law, Yameen had two Supreme Court judges arrested, accusing them of corruption. Later, the remaining three judges annulled the order to release Yameens opponents. On Sunday, the judges also delayed their earlier order to reinstate 12 pro-opposition lawmakers who were expelled after siding with the opposition. Yameens party would have lost a majority in Parliament had they been allowed to sit, AP reported. There has been an international condemnation of the governments moves, with the US and India expressing concern. Nasheed has specifically appealed for diplomatic and military intervention from India. On February 16, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said India had called on the government of Maldives to lift the state of emergency and restore the democratic process, including the functioning of the judiciary, which is free of intimidation. We have noticed that the Emergency in Maldives is valid for the next few days and we will wait to see the steps which will be taken by the government of Maldives after this, Kumar had said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that heterogeneous society is the new reality of the 21st century and the biggest challenge is to understand how differences can become a source of strength, "something that India and Canada have done fairly well". Calling himself a "feminist", Trudeau also said "we as a society are underperforming" as women are not being given an opportunity to contribute to their full potential. He was addressing students at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). "The new reality of the 21st century is going to be more and more heterogeneous community and society, and the biggest challenge we are going to have as species is doing something that India and Canada have done fairly well--that is to understand how differences can become a source of strength," he said. Trudeau was responding to a question by a student during an interactive session. The student asked him as to how as a global leader he wished to take the world towards globalisation at a time when the global trend of nationalisation was increasing. He said many societies were struggling to come to terms with integrating all sections of people which was resulting in them turning "inward to nationalism and protectionism". Taking a variety of questions both from TV journalist Shereen Bhan as well as students, Trudeau defined himself as a feminist and emphasised the need to empower women to create a more successful society. "I am a feminist. It is a word with certain connotation, loaded with meaning, but at the very root of it, it is very simple. If you think man and woman ought to be equal, and ought to have same opportunities, and if you recognise that there is still a lot of work to do to get there, you are also a feminist," he said. Also read: Canadian PM Trudeau begins week-long India tour, visits Taj Mahal with Family "Understanding that empowering women is not just the right or nice thing to do, but it's a smart thing to do, is extremely important. We are underperforming as a society, because we are not giving women the opportunity to contribute. We are not allowing them the opportunity to fulfil their full potential," he said. When asked to comment on dynastic politics, given that his father Pierre Trudeau also served as the 15th prime minister of Canada, he said getting into politics was "not an automatic choice" for him. "I had a certain level of advantages. People knew the values I was raised with in deciding whether to vote for me or not. But citizens are not fools, they can tell whether someone is genuine in their approach or not, but are trying to live up to some lofty, familial expectation. For me, all my life I focused on how best I can make the difference," he said. On improving India-Canada bilateral trade ties, he said there is a "lot of room to grow," and emphasised the need to strengthen people to people ties between the two countries. "Right now, Canada-India trade is about $8 billion a year, which is great. It is $2 billion in services. But we do $2 billion worth trade everyday with the USA, so there is a lot of room to grow," he said, adding that discussion on trade of agriculture products, particularly pulses, was on between the two countries. He said the greatest potential in trade between the two countries is in people-to- people connection. Trudeau said 1,25,000 Indian students joined Canadian universities every year. India, he said, is number 2 source of students in Canada, but is going to be number 1. Trudeau also talked about his government's policy to open its borders to refugees, and said that his government was investing significant amounts in integration, language acquisition and health care for them, which is contributing to the country's economy. "Frankly, more countries need to do more in welcoming refugees, not because it is a right thing to do, but people who flee war and persecution, want better future for their children. They end up contributing tremendously for the country and society," he said. He said Mahatma Gandhi was an inspiration for him among Indian leaders. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jammu: The Army on Sunday foiled an attempt by a group of terrorists to intrude into this side under the cover of Pakistani firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said. Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from 5:15 pm along the LoC in Poonch sector to facilitate an infiltration attempt by a group of terrorists. The alert troops deployed at the border detected the movement and engaged the infiltrators with effective automatic fire, he said, adding that search and sanitisation operations were in progress. Earlier, a police official said the firing from small and heavy weapons from across the border took place in Khari Karmara sector and continued for about 15 minutes. However, there was no immediate report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing, he told PTI. The Army PRO said Pakistan does not abandon its nefarious designs of supporting and abetting infiltration across the LoC. "The Army is keeping a strict vigil across the LoC and is prepared to thwart any nefarious designs of Pakistan sponsored terrorists," he said. Twenty people -- 11 security personnel and nine civilians -- were killed and over 75 others injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu division since the beginning of this year. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A 24-year-old girl committed suicide on Sunday in her college hostel room in Anantapur while she was on a video call with her boyfriend. The girl, identified as B Haneesha Chowdhary, was a second year MBA student studying at Siva Sivani College of Management in Pet Basheerabad, Anantapur. The police claim that Haneesha was in a relationship with her classmate Dakshit Patel, who stays near the college campus, and sicne some time, their relationship was undergoing problems. As per the police, Haneesha and Dakshit were on a video call on Facebook when she allegedly told Dakshit that she was not interested to live and apparently hung herself. He told Haneesha that things will be alright but till then the call got disconnected. Dakshit, who resides in Medchal, rushed to the hostel and alerted the college authorities about the issue. Along with the others, he broke open the door of Haneeshas room and found her hanging from the ceiling. They rushed her to the nearby hospital but was declared brought dead. Sub-Inspector (SI) M Venkatesham from Petbasheerbad, said that a minor argument could have led to this big incident. So far, nothing suspicious has been found from Haneeshas and Dakshits WhatsApp chat or Facebook account messages. Also Read: Hyderabad: Couple along with two minor daughters commits suicide Venkatesham said, She hung herself to death while Dakshit was watching. He reached the hostel room in 20 minutes but could not save her. She could not handle the relationship that had strained. The girls parents were informed by Dakshit in the wee hours on Sunday. The family collected the body of the girl after autopsy was done at the Gandhi hospital. SI Venkatesham added, Even her parents did not raise any suspicions on the boy. However, a case under Section 174 of the CrPC has been registered. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi, the prime accused in Indias biggest banking scam seems to be undeterred by all the ED and CBI raids at his stores in the country and fearlessly expanding his business abroad. According to a report published in AajTak news website, Nirav Modi has opened two brand new stores in Malaysias Kuala Lumpur and Macau. The Nirav Modi stores were opened in Kuala Lumpur and Macau on February 5 and February 9, respectively, days after CBI registered its first FIR. So far, the investigation agency has not been able to trace Nirav Modi but some unconfirmed reports said he is hiding in New York. However, the CBI has sought Interpol's help in locating Nirav Modi and another accused Mehul Choksi. The passport of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi has also been suspended for four weeks and External Affairs Ministry has asked them to reply why it should not be revoked. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting raids at several stores and offices of Nirav Modi and has recovered over Rs 5,000 crore. Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi are accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 11,400 crore. Both Congress and BJP are blaming each other for the PN Bank fraud, however, a CBI FIR says most of the loans were given to him in 2017. Congress said Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi had links with Prime Minister Modi and claimed that Choksi was hosted by PM Modi at his official residence in 2015. The party also shared a picture of PM Modi along with Nirav Modi The BJP, however, has rubbished Congress's charges and termed the photograph as a photo opportunity. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least 78.56 per cent of over 25.73 lakh voters exercised their franchise for the Assembly polls on Sunday in Tripura, where the BJP is trying to dislodge the Left Front after an unbroken 25-year stint in power, officials said. The polling for 59 seats of the 60-member Assembly was peaceful with thousands of central paramilitary forces fanning across the northeastern state. There were reports of malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some polling stations which were rectified. Polling could not be held in the Charilam constituency due to the death of CPI(M) candidate Ramendra Narayan Deb Barma last week. The constituency will go to polls on March 12. The Election Commission said in New Delhi the updated polling percentage was complied from 41 of the 59 constituencies. At its briefing earlier, the poll watchdog had put the figures at 74 per cent. In the last Assembly elections, the voter turnout was recorded at 91.82 per cent, while in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 84.32 per cent, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain told reporters in the national capital. He said two crude bombs were detected and disposed of by security personnel. The voter turnout is likely to rise as long queues were seen at polling stations even after 4 pm, the time for the voting to conclude. Under the electoral laws, voters standing in queue at the scheduled time for voting to conclude are allowed to exercise their franchise. Additional CEO Tapas Roy said in Agartala initially there were problems with several EVM machines which were fixed. Earlier in the day, Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti had said voting was delayed in some polling booths of West Tripura, Khowai and Unakoti districts as officials could not properly connect the EVMs. Technicians were rushed in to these placed and EVMs set right. The BJP, hitherto an "also ran" in the border state, has emerged as the key challenger to the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which has remained unvanquished in the last five Assembly elections. Manik Sarkar, one of the most enduring icons of the CPI(M), has helmed the state for the last four terms. The Congress, which has been marginalised in Tripura, was last in power between February 1988 and March 1993. It is contesting 59 seats and had not fielded candidate for Kakrabon constituency. The BJP, which has been rapidly expanding its footprint in the northeast, with the party already in power in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, has forged an alliance with Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), an anti-Left party. The BJP has fielded candidates in 51 places, while its ally is contesting the remaining nine seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah spearheaded the BJP-IPFT challenge in one of the last bastions of the Left. Sarkar, known for leading a frugal life and the considered the "poorest" of chief ministers in the country, almost single-handedly tried to defend his 'Red fort' against the saffron challenge. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) K V Srijesh said the voting was "incident free" and no violence was reported from anywhere. While 300 companies of central armed forces were deployed, besides the state police, the BSF kept heightened vigil along the 856-km-long India-Bangladesh border in Tripura. Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) R K Pachnanda was appointed special observer to coordinate with all security forces deployed for the election. Manik Sarkar cast his vote in Ramnagar constituency here, while Biplab Deb, the state BJP chief, pressed the EVM button in R K Pur seat in Gomati district. Tripura Congress president Birajit Sinha cast his vote at Kailashahar in Unakoti district. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Ahmedabad: The BJP continued its winning performance in Gujarat by bagging 47 out of 75 municipalities today. The main opposition, Congress, won 16 municipalities, while the NCP and BSP emerged victorious on one each. Voting for the 75 municipalities was held on last Saturday and the results were declared on Monday. The BJP has won 47 municipalities, the Congress 16, the NCP and BSP one each. While Independent candidates won four municipalities, six others remained hung as no party gained a clear majority, State Election Commissioner Varesh Sinha said. In December last year, the BJP had registered a sixth straight victory in the Gujarat Assembly polls by winning 99 seats while the Congress secured 77 seats in the 182-member House. Three of the six municipalities that delivered a hung verdict are Khedbhramaha in Sabarkantha district, Gariadhar in Bhavnagar district and Pardi in Valsad district, where both the BJP and the Congress won 14 seats each. Of the total 2,060 seats in these 75 municipalities spread across 24 districts, the BJP won 1,167, Congress 630, NCP 28 and BSP 15 seats. Other small political parties won 18 seats, while Independent candidates emerged winners on 202 seats, Sinha said. The vote-counting process was peaceful, he added. In Prime Minister Narendra Modis home town Vadnagar in Mehsana district, the BJP won 27 of the 28 seats, while the remaining seat went to the Congress. As the results were declared, BJP workers started celebrating at the party headquarters in Gandhinagar. However, the Congress said the party had improved its tally in the civic body polls. This is a victory against the negative politics and programmes of the Congress. The people of Gujarat have once again rejected the negativity that the Congress is generating, BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said. Congress leader Alpesh Thakor said the party had improved its tally substantially. The Congress held eight municipalities earlier. We have improved our tally substantially. We are going to have Congress presidents in 20 municipalities with the support of Independent candidates, he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Patna: At least seven people were killed and 27 others have suffered serious injuries after the bus they were travelling in turned turtle at the outskirts of Patna on Monday evening. Bihar Police said, the bus was booked by a family and all the boarded in the bus were part of a 'barati' (marriage procession). Around 40 people were in the bus, added police. According to police the incident happened near Kandap village. The injured and killed were pulled out from the bus with help of locals, said added Bihar Police. The officer further added that the injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Also read: Plane with 66 people on board crashes in Zargos mountains in Iran, all feared dead According to police, the bus turned turtle after the driver of the bus lost control over the wheels. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Nallasopara: A 25-year-old man from Mumbais Nallasopara allegedly strangulated a woman, whom he had befriended on Facebook, with a shoelace at his residence after she denied having physical relationship with him, Maharashtra Police said on Monday. The Mumbai Police has identified the accused as Haridas Nirgude,25, and the victim as Ankita More, 20. The duo came in contact with each other via social networking site Facebook a few months back, said Mumbai Police. According to local police, Nirgude had invited More to his residence in Nallasopara. The two went into an argument after the victim denied sexual favours to the accuses. Being denied of favours the Nirgude killed strangulated More with a shoelace. Also read: Violent protests erupt over rape, murder of 8-yr-old girl in Pakistan After murdering More, he threw her body in a nearby area. The accused has confessed to his crime, added police. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Rituparna Sengupta flew from Singapore to Mumbai on June 22. The actress took her first jab of the vaccine on June 23 as from July 3 she has started shooting for Veena Bakshis Hindi film, Ittar, where she is paired opposite Dipak Tijori. There were lots of acting workshops, costume trials, makeup tests before a film went on the floor. So, I was busy doing all these for Ittar, which is a mature love story, said the actress, who was in Kolkata on Thursday. My mother-in-law is extremely unwell and is admitted to a city nursing home. A few days back, she had fallen and had a severe shoulder injury. On Wednesday, there has a long surgery, and she was not keeping well. So, I came to Kolkata on Thursday to meet the doctors team who are treating her. But now, she is a little better. Im leaving today as my shoot starts tomorrow. I met my mother too after five months and she was asking me to stay back for a day, but I couldnt because of professional commitments, said Rituparna. Other than Ittar, the actress will also complete shooting for Salt in Mumbai where she is paired opposite Chandan Roy Sanyal. I will be back in Kolkata in August as I must complete shooting for Ranjan Ghoshs Mahishasura Mardini. Added to that I have to complete dubbing for Arindam Sils Mayakumari, said Rituparna. When Darshan shared that he is one of the D Company boys himself Swaminathan Anantharaman forays into Sandalwood with a movie about paranormal activities Aditi Rao Hydari on one year of Sufiyum Sujatayum Bollywood actor Mir Sarwar in M-Town Rahman starrer (Bloomberg) -- Chinas cyberspace regulator ordered app stores to remove Didi Chuxing, dealing a major blow to a ride-hailing giant that just days ago pulled off one of the largest U.S. initial public offerings of the past decade. The Cyberspace Administration of China announced the ban Sunday, citing serious violations on Didi Global Inc.s collection and usage of personal information, without elaborating. That unusually swift decision came two days after the regulator said it was starting a cybersecurity review of the company. That effectively requires the largest app stores in China, operated by the likes of Apple Inc. and smartphone makers Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp., to strike Didi from their offerings. But the current half-billion or so users can continue to order up rides and other services so long as they downloaded the app before Sundays order. Shares in SoftBank Group Corp., a major Didi shareholder, fell as much as 5.9% Monday, its biggest intraday fall since May 13. The surprise probe and rapid decision by Chinas powerful internet regulator piles on the scrutiny of Didi over issues ranging from antitrust to data security. The company has been grappling with a broad antitrust probe into Chinese internet firms with uncertain outcomes for Didi and peers like major backer Tencent Holdings Ltd. It lost as much as 11% of its market value at one point on Friday, after the watchdog revealed its investigation. More broadly, Beijing has been curbing the growing influence of Chinas largest internet corporations, widening an effort to tighten the ownership and handling of troves of information that online powerhouses from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to Tencent and Didi scoop up daily from hundreds of millions of users. The regulator on Sunday ordered Didi to rectify its problems following legal requirements and national standards, and take steps to protect the personal information of its users. On Sunday, the company said on social media that it had already halted new user registrations as of July 3 and was now working to rectify its app in accordance with regulatory requirements. Story continues In a follow-up statement, Didi said the regulatory move may have an adverse impact on its revenue in China. Didis IPO was led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co. In all, the ride-hailing firm appointed 20 advisers to manage the float. The CAC didnt specify on Friday what it will look into. But the timing of its announcements was significant, coming not just on the heels of Didis IPO but also the Communist Partys 100th anniversary celebrations in Beijing. Didi, one of the single largest investments in SoftBanks portfolio, defeated Uber Technologies Inc. in China in 2016 before embarking on an ambitious international expansion. It started trading on Wednesday in New York after a $4.4 billion initial public offering, pulling off the largest debut by a Chinese firm in the U.S. after Alibaba. But Didi had to settle on going public at a far lower market value than previously targeted. It debuted at about $67 billion, barely up from its last round of funding in 2019, and far short of the most bullish expectations for $100 billion -- a reflection of the regulatory scrutiny thats hounded it ever since a pair of murders in 2018 that founder Cheng Wei has called its darkest days. The Beijing-based firm responded to the subsequent crackdown with a fusillade of efforts to improve security across its network. It began to explore new businesses to offset slowing ride-hailing growth, from car repairs to grocery delivery. That served it well during the coronavirus pandemic, when whole cities came to a standstill. The company delivered an $837 million profit in the March quarter -- a rarity among recent high-profile IPOs like Kuaishou Technology. The latest move against Didi underscores the uncertainty surrounding the Chinese governments crackdown on the internet sector. Earlier this year, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced it was looking into alleged abuses -- including forced merchant exclusivity arrangements -- at Meituan, also days after Chinas third-largest internet company raised $9.98 billion from a record share placement and convertible bonds sale. This is deeply unfair to investors, Brock Silvers, chief investment officer at Hong Kong-based private equity firm Kaiyuan Capital, said on Friday. And as a crucial matter of market integrity, Chinas regulators should cease allowing companies to list while under investigation. (Updates with SoftBank shares from the third paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. OTTAWA, ON, July 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to providing help to Canadians in need. The Government has accepted a formal Request for Federal Assistance from British Columbia, which is dealing with an unprecedented wildfire situation. Canadian Armed Forces assets will be made available to provide airlift support to transport personnel, supplies, and equipment into and out of areas affected by fires in British Columbia, and to support an evacuation in an emergency situation if required. Also, the 3rd Canadian Division maintains an Immediate Response Unit that can be deployed in response to an approved Request for Federal Assistance. The Government Operations Centre, via Public Safety's Regional Office, has staff working to coordinate the federal response to the situation in British Columbia. The Government of Canada continues to monitor and assess the national wildfire situation 24/7, and along with all partners continues to assess the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on wildfire response. Significant adaptations have also been taken by provinces and territories and the Canadian Interagency Forest fire Center (CIFFC) to ensure forest fires can be managed in the context of COVID, including personal protective equipment (PPE), retrofits to fire camps, and social distancing measures. Quotes "On behalf of all Canadians, thank you to the first responders who are working tirelessly to fight wildfires and support those in need. Canadians can be assured that all orders of government are working together to keep British Columbians and their communities safe." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness " The women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have experience helping to battle wildfires across the country. They will use this experience as we help British Columbia in their fight. No matter the challenge, our members are always ready to answer the call." Story continues The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence "British Columbia is deploying all necessary resources in response to the disaster in Lytton and wildfires across the province, and we are grateful for the tireless efforts of the many thousands of people fighting the fires. We recognize that more resources will be needed to sustain this vital work through the summer. That's why we've made a formal request for federal assistance to access additional help with air support to move crews and equipment and provide emergency transport of personnel in hazardous conditions. We are grateful for the federal government's commitment to assist with our efforts." The Honourable Mike Farnworth, British Columbia's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Associated Links Emergency Management The Government Operations Centre Requests for Federal Assistance Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire smoke and your health Get Prepared: Wildfires SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2021/04/c7840.html The narrative surrounding Naked Brand Group (NASDAQ:NAKD) stock is shifting. At least, that is, from the perspective of short squeeze potential. Ill get to that in a minute. a man and woman wear plain white underclothes from Naked Brand (NAKD) Source: Shutterstock Now is the time for investors with bullish sentiment regarding its ecommerce transition and divestiture to plant their flag. That should be the narrative for NAKD stock now and moving forward. The company has divested its brick-and-mortar Bendon Limited operations. InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips The companys current sole operating subsidiary is Fredericks of Hollywood. If it is successful in pivoting its dying mixed-retail (brick-and-mortar and ecommerce) brand into a pure ecommerce brand, itll be a hero story. If it fails, it wont. So if you like a comeback story like I do, NAKD stock is worth considering. Short Interest and NAKD Stock I mentioned that the narrative surrounding Naked Group Brand is shifting. Early this year, in January and February, NAKD stock was interesting for its short-squeeze potential. It was meme stock fodder and all over r/WallStreetBets and other such forums. The stock had the potential for a short squeeze because short interest was well above 20%. This chart here tracks its short interest levels. You can see that they fell from 32% in mid-January to 6.6% by the end of May. Heading into July levels have fallen to 5.6%. Thus, all of the short squeeze, to the moon, apes are in control, rhetoric from that crowd is dissipating. The narrative now becomes about Naked Brands operational ability to make Fredericks of Hollywood into an ecommerce force as it divests its Bendon Limited Operations. Bendon Is Still Part of NAKDs Future On April 30 Naked Brand Group announced that it had divested itself of Bendon Limited and its brick-and-mortar operations. Usually the word divestiture conjures up the idea that all ties are severed, but that isnt always the case. Story continues When the news was announced Naked Group was clear that Bendon Limited is still part of NAKDs future. At that time Naked Brand Groups wholly owned subsidiary, FOH Online Corp., entered into a management services agreement with Bendon pursuant to which Bendon will provide various management services to FOH Online Corp. The companys recent Prospectus (Pg S-2) provides further clarification about how Bendon will help. Bendon will provide a full range of services to Fredericks of Hollywood including marketing, manufacturing, ecommerce, customer service, website management and every other aspect of running a brand you might imagine. The point here is that Naked Brand Group is still tied to Bendon Limited as it pivots into its ecommerce business focused on rebuilding Fredericks of Hollywood. Fredericks of Hollywood is a legacy brand with a history that dates back to 1946. And Naked Brand Group is the exclusive global online licensee for Fredericks of Hollywood intimates products, sleepwear and loungewear products, swimwear and swimwear accessories products, and costume products. Thats whats going on now. Id say that it is basically an uninteresting story in many aspects. Most investors dont really care whether legacy brands die or experience a resurgence to their former glory. Rooting for the Underdog However, in my opinion, the reason to root for Naked Brand Group lies in the swiftness with which it seized its current opportunity. The company knew it was in dire straits long before the beginning of this year. It knew that the future of retail is in ecommerce rather than physical locations. But it didnt have the capital to do anything about it. The company pounced on a sudden surge in short interest which spiked its share prices in mid-January. It then announced a $50 million direct offering of its shares. It was successful in selling those shares. Viola! It suddenly had money to do what it knew it needed to. The bet now is that it can take that money and revive Fredericks of Hollywood as an ecommerce champion. I dont know if itll be successful, but I like its story. On the date of publication, Alex Sirois did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines. More From InvestorPlace The post Naked Brand Group Is an Underdog Thats Definitely Worth Rooting For appeared first on InvestorPlace. LISBON, July 4 (Reuters) - The popular Portuguese islands of Madeira will allow entry to visitors with any of the COVID-19 jabs being administered worldwide and not only with those approved by Europe's drug regulator, the regional government said on Sunday. The European Union, which launched its digital COVID certificate last week, has so far authorised only four vaccines - those of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech, Moderna Inc, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. The certificate allows citizens to travel more freely across the bloc if they have been fully vaccinated with one of the four approved shots, received a recent negative test result or have immunity due to recent recovery. Member states can decide to extend the certificate to European travellers vaccinated with other shots. Mainland Portugal only accepts the four vaccines, but Madeira, an autonomous region popular for its wine and green landscape, said those who received other shots, such as those of China's Sinovac or India's Covaxin, could visit the Atlantic islands. Pedro Ramos, Madeira's health secretary, said all would be accepted "because if millions have been vaccinated with these vaccines (not approved by the EU), their level of protection is similar to others". It comes amid criticism over the EU not including Covishield, a version of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine made by Serum Institute in India, on a list of approved vaccines for the certificate. About 5 million people in Britain, an important source of foreign tourism for Madeira, are thought to have had the Covishield vaccine, which is also used by the global COVAX facility. (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Peter Cooney) A group of Democratic senators are calling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to address the nations ever-growing medical debt. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) penned a letter to CFPB to share concerns about the cost burden many Americans could face as a result of COVID-19. While the COVID relief packages passed by Congress have helped to defray some of these costs through financial subsidies and coverage for COVID-19 vaccines and testing, consumers are still paying associated health costs for treatment of the disease, the senators stated. For those Americans who sought treatment out of their networks, they may bear the full cost of their COVID-19 treatments. A woman hangs a US flag in a fence in front of the US Navy Hospital ship Mercy on March 28, 2020 at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images) A survey from LendingTree found that a majority of Americans (60%) have been in medical debt with costs averaging between $5,000 to $9,999. Leading causes were emergency room visits (39%), visits with doctors and specialists (28%), childbirth and related care (22%), and dental care (20%). The problem is that [most] medical debt is involuntary, Sen. Murphy told Yahoo Finance. Its not a choice. ER visits are the leading cause of medical debt. (Chart: LendingTree) The senators laid out a list of actions for the CFPB to take to address the issue. The suggestions includes prohibiting the furnishing of medical debt collection items to credit reporting agencies; requiring debt collectors to disclosure any applicable financial assistance or potential coverage plans; working with the IRS to issue an FAQ on Obamacares charity care provisions; require debt collectors to refrain from collecting or reporting on individuals if they state theyre in the process of appealing or disputing an insurance denial or billing, or applying for financial assistance; limiting the number of collection calls placed per consumer; do an additional analysis of medical debt complaints received; and issue a corresponding report for researchers and policymakers to use. Story continues "We have received the letter and are reviewing it," the CFPB told Yahoo Finance in a statement. "We will remain in dialogue with Congress regarding the issue of consumer debt for medical care." 'Those deductibles can lead to significant debt' Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. As of April 2021, roughly 21 million Americans holding $46 billion of medical debt faced collections, meaning that a third-party debt collector is trying to obtain the money owed. Jen Taylor, senior director of federal relations at Families USDA, a non-partisan consumer health care advocacy organization, characterized some of the practices by debt collectors as "industry abuses." "There are a number of ways in which the current system is too expensive, inefficient, and failing consumers who are still struggling financially from the worst health and economic crisis in a century," Taylor told Yahoo Finance. "We are pleased to see this letter and other recent actions by members of Congress and the administration to end surprise medical bills, remove the burden of medical debt, and prioritize protecting families from industry abuses." Murphy noted that while the the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) helped as millions of Americans lost employer-sponsored insurance amid the pandemic, more can be done. Sen. Chris Murphy speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on U.S. Policy in the Middle East, September 24, 2020. Susan Walsh/Pool via REUTERS "While the Affordable Care Act has been a gift to people during the pandemic with so much job loss and job shifting, its not surprising that there are people that are going big periods of time without coverage," he said. "Youve also seen the shift over the last five years to greater cost sharing and higher deductibles. Those deductibles can lead to significant debt." In 2019, the average individual deductible was $1,931 and the average family deductible was $3,655. Deductibles and premiums accounted for 11.5% of median household income that year, which was a 9.1% increase from the prior decade. However, they only account for roughly 9% of medical debt. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the many cracks that remain in our health care system into which people fall, sometimes plummet, regarding debt incurred for their health care, they wrote. It is timely to reexamine the burden of medical consumer debt. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Made with Flourish $10.3 billion in crowdfunding campaigns The Biden administration has begun taking steps towards addressing the issue of health care costs. Earlier this week, the White House advanced a bill that President Trump had implemented the No Surprise Act which would protect consumers from surprise medical costs and balance billing. While its good that we will have less surprise billing, medical debt is normally accumulated because you have to have health care interventions done that are mandatory to save your life, Murphy said. Therell be times at which somebody may be able to avoid a bigger bill than is necessary, but I dont think that legislation will have a dramatic downward impact on the number of people that have significant medical debt. In the meantime, Americans increasingly rely on the generosity of others. RIP Medical Debt, a New York-based 501 charity that uses donations to buy up peoples medical debt, recently announced a purchase of $278 million in medical debt owed by roughly 82,000 patients in the Tennessee and Virginia regions. Crowdfunding has become increasingly popular. (Chart: JAMA) Americans also use crowdfunding sites to raise money for paying off medical debt. A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that between May 2010 and December 2018, 26.7% of the 1,056,455 fundraisers on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe were for health-related costs. And those health-related campaigns sought a collective total of nearly $10.3 billion and raised about $3.7 billion. Thats really fascinating, but its not the solution, Murphy said. The solution in the long run is to a) get to a point where nobody goes into debt because of medical costs and b) make sure that we treat that debt differently than we do other consumer debt. Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and health care policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells. If you would like to share your story of dealing with medical bills and other health care costs, you can reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com. READ MORE: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit (Bloomberg) -- The United Arab Emirates said it wont accept a plan by other members of OPEC+ to extend the groups agreement to curb oil production beyond April 2022, unless its allowed to have a higher baseline for its own cuts. The UAE said its in favor of adding more oil to a market thats clamoring for it, but on Friday blocked a plan hashed out by Russia and Saudi Arabia, the leaders of the OPEC+ cartel. The deal would see the group increase supply while also extending its pact until the end of next year. After two days of bitter talks, and with the UAE the only holdout, ministers halted negotiations until Monday. That leaves markets in limbo after oil continued its surge last week, with Brent climbing above $76 a barrel. The UAE said it agreed that the 23-nation group should raise output by 400,000 barrels a day each month from August, but that the idea of extending the supply agreement -- reached in early 2020 at the start of the coronavirus pandemic -- should be treated separately. The UAE is for an unconditional increase of production, which the market requires, Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei told Bloomberg Television on Sunday. Yet the decision to extend the deal until the end of 2022 is unnecessary to take now. We still have eight to nine months in this agreement, and were talking about plenty of time for this to be discussed at a later stage. Under the 2020 deal, the UAE has a baseline production figure of 3.2 million barrels a day. The country disputed that number last year and even floated the idea of leaving the producers group. Thats totally unfair and unsustainable given the country now has the ability to pump much more, Mazrouei said of the baseline. Still, the UAE is not threatening to leave OPEC and is committed to sticking to the original deal at least until its expiry in April, he said. The UAE is leaving about one-third of its production capacity idle, a higher portion than other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, he said. Story continues We believe this group needs to work together for years, not only until the end of 2022, Mazrouei said. Were not threatening to walk away from the agreement. We will continue to sacrifice until the end of this agreement. That is our commitment. But beyond that, we have the right to discuss and we demand to have the time to discuss and put our grievance in front of the group. OPEC+ ministers are set to reconvene on Monday. A failure to reach an understanding risks sending crude prices -- already up 50% this year -- even higher. Demand is rising fast as major economies reopen from the coronavirus pandemic. While OPEC+ has raised output in recent months, its still withholding roughly 5 million barrels a day from the market. Whatever OPEC+ agrees, it will surely be a fraction of the amount needed, Mike Muller, the head of Asia for Vitol Group, the worlds biggest independent oil trader, said during a forum hosted by Dubai-based consultancy Gulf Intelligence. Inventories will continue to shrink, according to Muller, who said U.S. shale oil producers also arent increasing output quickly enough. Immediate Needs Mazrouei declined to comment on whether oil would rise beyond $80 a barrel, or even to $100, if OPEC+ didnt raise output from next month. Rather, he said he had faith in the group being able to meet the immediate need to bring more oil into the market. Its making two decisions at the same time, he said. One of them is immediate and required and the second one is a luxury and its not required today. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE and holder of most of the countrys hydrocarbon reserves, is keen to pump more to make good on the investment its ploughing into its fields. The countrys production surged to a record of more than 4 million barrels a day in April last year during a brief supply war, when cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Russia collapsed. Prior to that, the country had only ever pumped more than 3.2 million barrels a day for a whole month twice -- in November and December 2018. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has earmarked nearly $25 billion a year over the next five years to allow the government producer to boost capacity to 5 million barrels a day by 2030. Abu Dhabi and international partners have pumped crude since before the UAE became a nation half a century ago. Many of those same Western companies still have interests in the emirates fields, along with new partners from Asia. Part of Adnoc Chief Executive Officer Sultan Al Jabers role is to balance the long-term interests of its OPEC+ partners with those of the investors in its fields. We can not continue with our investors losing on their investment, Mazrouei said. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Reuters Videos Queues for oxygen cylinders in Myanmar are a stark reminder of a worsening COVID-19 crisis there.Myanmar is in the midst of its most serious wave of infections to date, with efforts to manage it hampered by nationwide chaos after the military coup.The junta said it had restricted supplies to individuals to avoid hoarding, rejecting accusations of trying to monopolise them.Some residents who spoke to Reuters said they are choosing to hole up in a room in their home, rather than enter a quarantine centre, a decision based on mistrust of the military healthcare system.Hospitals were under intense pressure even before the recent outbreak, with some reporting most of their medics had joined the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement, striking in response to the military coup.In contrast, the ousted civilian government appeared to have had more success when the pandemic hit last year.People's willingness to submit to testing, tracking and isolation helped to lower transmission rates.A spokesman for the military authorities said they were doing all they could and appealed for cooperation.One of the responses from the military has been opening military hospitals to the public, and to step up services there.On Monday, daily cases topped 5,000 for the first time - more than double the highest figure last year.More than a third of COVID-19 tests were positive, a figure doctors say points to the outbreak being far more widespread than the official testing numbers indicate.Meanwhile, the military government said on Monday that vaccinations would now be stepped up, partly with help from its biggest foreign ally, Russia.Russia is among the few countries that have openly embraced the military government, which has been condemned globally over the coup and the deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. My advice for those trying to write a book: Write every day. Develop and get comfortable with your own writing routine (time of day, location, medium). Dont be discouraged when your first draft isnt perfect; no first draft ever is. Writing is rewriting! Finally, if you intend to go the traditional publishing route, develop a thick skin. James Pattersons first novel was rejected by 31 publishers. When it was finally published, it won a national award as the best first novel for that year. He has gone on to sell more than 300 million books. Stephen King would put his rejection notices on a nail in his attic. He said he knew he was going to be a writer when he got a longer nail. King, too, has sold copies in the hundreds of millions. A Lignum hemp farmer will host the Virginia Cannabis Conference on Aug. 28 at Culpeper Countys own legal moonshine distillery, Belmont Farms. Mike Sauer of Honey Hill Hemp in Culpeper is organizing the daylong, 21-and-older ticketed event to recognize the state law that makes recreational use of marijuana legal in Virginia, letting adults possess an ounce of it and grow up to four of their own plants. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sauer also wants to share his hands-on knowledge about growing industrial hemp on a small farm off State Route 3 in eastern Culpeper County. Industrial hemp is cannabis, but lacks enough of the psychoactive compound THC to make someone high. Recreational marijuana is also cannabis, but with a higher THC level. We wanted to acknowledge the fact that the law was changing and that marijuana was going to be legal for recreational use in the commonwealth, Sauer said. This law is an opportunity to take a neutral stand. The law is the law. We also wanted to provide education for people that are interested in growing cannabis for personal use so they can do it properly in accordance with state guidelines and be successful growing and what they are trying to accomplish, he added. A Taliban offensive in northern Afghanistan gained momentum over the weekend, sending hundreds of Afghan government troops fleeing into Tajikistan as the insurgency captured more districts and surrounded a provincial capital. Tajik border guards reported on July 5 that 1,037 Afghan troops had fled across its border overnight and another 94 on July 4. Much of the recently captured territory is in Badakhshan, where 16 of the northeastern province's 27 districts have fallen to the Taliban in three days, Afghan officials said on July 4. Most of the districts appear to have been abandoned by security forces without resistance, as troops suffer from low morale and are often outnumbered and without supplies. "Unfortunately, the majority of the districts were left to Taliban without any fight," said Mohib-ul Rahman, a provincial council member. An adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on July 5 that the government forces were planning a counteroffensive in the northern provinces to retake territory from the militants. National-security adviser Hamdullah Mohib, who was in Moscow for talks with Russian officials, said government forces had not expected the Taliban offensive but would "absolutely, definitely" counterattack. Taliban fighters are now at the gates of Badakhshan's capital, Faizabad, having surrounded the city and put the airport under threat. Local officials said the Taliban will not enter the city. The Interior Ministry in Kabul tried on July 3 to reassure the country that the battlefield setbacks were temporary, although it was not clear how the government intends to regain control. Since President Joe Biden announced in April that U.S. troops would withdraw, the Taliban has unleashed a quick offensive and now controls about one-third of the country's 421 districts and district centers. With Washington aiming to exit the country in the coming weeks, there are increasing concerns that the Western-backed government in Kabul may collapse. On July 2, all international troops left Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Some of the most significant Taliban gains have been in the militant group's sweep across northern Afghanistan, where it has captured multiple districts along the border with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Tajik border guards reported that nearly 1,600 Afghan soldiers had sought refuge in Tajikistan since June 22. The Afghan soldiers were allowed to enter Tajikistan based on "humanism and good neighborliness," Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security said on July 4. 'Alarming' Situation "Taking into account the difficult situation on the specified section of the state border, there is a likelihood of the continuation of the next crossing of the military personnel of the government forces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan into the territory of Tajikistan," the State Committee for National Security said. Meanwhile, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke with his Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani, about the "alarming" situation along the border, according to Tajik state media. The Taliban's inroads in the north are significant because it's a gateway to Central Asia and the group failed to take control of the area during their 1990s rule, when it was a stronghold of the U.S.-backed Northern Alliance that helped topple the Islamist group in 2001. According to a recent analysis by the Afghanistan Analysts Network, a Kabul think tank, the Taliban strategy in the north "looks like a preemptive strike to prevent a northern opposition from organizing." With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 81F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 56F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. City Editor Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has cover statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids. Joey Bunch: "The first gentleman, Marlon Reis, not-yet-40 and spry as an athlete, found his way to the front of the essential worker line for a COVID-19 vaccination this month ... I havent heard anybody yet tell me this was a good idea. They also dont want to anger the governor by calling him out publicly, which is why I get the phone calls urging me to do it." Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We must keep discrimination claims in perspective rather than take them at face value one way or the other. Each case warrants careful consideration for the sake of the claimant, the public agency in question, and the public itself which picks up the tab. Kristen L. Mix likens the duties of federal magistrate judges to a restaurant menu, in which someone can experience a little bit of everything or a whole lot of one thing, depending on where they work. You learn about the whole menu, and you know that youre probably going to be eating from certain parts of the menu more than others. But there never has been a situation where I thought, Wow! Thats something I never knew was on the menu, she said. Mix, a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Colorado, will take office later this month as president of the Federal Magistrate Judges Association, the first Coloradan to hold the position in the organizations 60-year history. She started as the organizations secretary, then progressed through subsequent leadership roles. Magistrate judges are similar to federal district court judges, but cannot cannot preside over felony criminal trials and sentencing. The most interesting thing about magistrate judges in my view is that we are used very differently across the country, Mix told Colorado Politics in an interview. The federal judicial system is highly decentralized and each district does things in its own way. Magistrate judges are hired by their district courts for eight-year terms. Unlike district and appellate court judges known as Article III judges because their positions are laid out in Article III of the U.S. Constitution magistrate judges are not subject to presidential nomination and U.S. Senate confirmation. In some of the 94 federal judicial districts, magistrate judges are paired with an Article III judge for their entire tenure, Mix said. In others, like Colorado, the assignments are random. There is a lot of discretion among the district judges around the country as to what tasks they assign the magistrate judges. In some districts, district court judges refer every single motion to a magistrate judge, she explained. In others, magistrate judge duties are largely intake of criminal matters. For instance, magistrate judges in districts along the southern border tend to handle more immigration-related matters. Mix added that it may be jarring for some magistrate judges to get on the bench, only to be assigned the same repeated task. Mix, 62, has served as a magistrate judge in Colorado since 2007, when she first joined the association. She first learned about the group at baby judge school, the nickname for the Federal Judicial Centers orientation of new judges. The association reports a membership of 800 active and retired federal magistrate judges. Kris is one of the brightest people that I know, and I know a lot of bright people, said U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Kay of the Western District of Louisiana. She and Mix attended the orientation together and are still friends. The one thing that shes spoken to me about is to promote awareness and understanding of the public at large about what the role is of a magistrate judge in the federal judiciary, and having it understood that we are judges, Kay added. Mix elaborated that magistrate judges bristle at being called simply magistrates. In some places, magistrates can be people who handle parking tickets, for example, and may not even have a law degree. A 2019 investigation in South Carolina found the state's magistrates undergo less training than barbers and need to pass an exam that requires only a sixth-grade reading level. It may be an insignificant difference, acknowledged Kay. But it does minimize the extent to which people think what we do is effective. Mix said that in Colorado, the magistrate judges do feel respected and heard. At the time of her appointment, she recalled a rigid hierarchy of district and magistrate judges. That changed, Mix said, under former chief judges Wiley Young Daniel and Marcia S. Krieger. In that time, there have also been several additions to the court. In fact, President Joe Bidens first nominee for Colorado, Regina M. Rodriguez, received Senate confirmation last month, and the White House is evaluating candidates for a second vacancy later this year. Magistrate judges can help them adjust to their new jobs on a range of topics, from office technology to more substantive judicial matters. I dont think that any magistrate judge feels necessarily comfortable with going to an Article III judge and saying, Let me help you with this, Mix said. But certainly when asked for help, we consider that to be one of our highest and best uses. Among her other side projects, Mix spearheaded the creation of a pro se clinic for Colorado's district court, which matches self-represented litigants with volunteer lawyers, and created a diversity internship program for second- and third-year law students. In 2019, she won the FMJA's award for promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. "She's probably one of the most experienced in the country on issues like assessing magistrate judge workloads, and she's just done outstanding work trying to open up the judiciary to a wide array of people, some of whom in the past have been underrepresented," said Deborah M. Smith, who is the current FMJA president and the chief magistrate judge of Alaska. Although politics can be a stumbling block to attaining an influential position in the government, Mix recalled her 2007 appointment to be largely nonpolitical at least compared to her Article III colleagues. "One of the things that I tell people who aspire to be on any bench is that you have to keep trying. It's a process," she said. "Usually, it takes a while for these applications to hit critical mass and get taken very seriously." For reasons that may not be fully understood for many months to come, however, Iowa's labor-force participation loss is double that of the rest of the country. "We are a-typical from the nation," Swenson said. "I take great issue, however, with employers who impugn the Iowa workforce," especially with so many Iowans working more than one job. While a clear understanding of the forces at work will come with time and data, not anecdotes, a study of impacted demographics has revealed some explanations for the staffing shortages, he said. One of the hardest-hit employment demographics has been the under-24 age group, and those workers represent a large number of the dining and drinking staff. Many of them had not worked long enough to qualify for unemployment benefits when the pandemic hit, Swenson said, so they found work elsewhere when restaurants were forced to close. "Unemployment was very high in that demographic," Swenson said. "They moved back home and/or found other jobs. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "They (restaurants) likely just lost those workers, because they moved on." Another big loss in Iowa has been among the 45-to-54-year-old demographic. No one is sure why so many in that age group dropped out, but child-care costs are not likely a factor, he said. VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he'll go to Slovakia in September, adding a three-day visit to that European nation after a pilgrimage to neighboring Hungary. It was already known that Francis planned to be in Budapest, Hungarys capital, to celebrate Mass on Sept. 12 at the end of a religious congress there. But Francis told the public in St. Peters Square that he was happy to announce that, God willing, hell travel later that day to Slovakia, staying until Sept. 15. Pilgrims from Slovakia in the square cheered and held up the flag of their nation at the announcement. Francis cheerfully acknowledged their joy, saying those Slovaks are happy, there! The Vatican said that while in Slovakia, Francis will visit the capital, Bratislava, as well as Presov, Kosice and Sastin. Details of the trip will be unveiled at a later date, the Vatican said. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis had been invited by both the civil authorities and bishops of both countries. I thank from my heart all those who are preparing this trip, and I pray for them, Francis said. Let us all pray for this trip and for the persons who are working to organize it. That was my first mural after school, Daniel said. His older sister, Emily Jarrell, put him in touch with Hunt and Daniel asked what walls were available. I really wanted to paint one in Draper, the son of Dr. Terry and Cheryl Daniel of Eden said. Draper is sort of ignored at times. Last September before moving to Mexico, Daniel did another mural at the U Hill Wall Mural Festival in Durham where he lived for a year. That one is called To My Ancestors, based on a poem by native American Vivette Jeffries-Logan, who lives there. She gave Daniel permission to use the poem about her ancestors from the Occaneechi band of the Saponi nation. In late summer, Daniel will return home to do one about the history of Leaksville on Washington Street. He hopes to have it finished before Riverfest in mid-September. As a child, Daniel attended an Eden art school operated by Bonnie Luckie. We were doing sunflower paintings and she thought the one I did was pretty good, Daniel recalled. She saw that I enjoyed making art and offered to give me private weekly art lessons. When he was about 11, the Luckies moved so Daniel began lessons with Kathy Brown in Stoneville, continuing those until he graduated from high school. MARTINSVILLE, Va. Prolam LLC, a Canadian-based manufacturer of high-quality hardwood floors for commercial trucks and dry van trailers, will invest $12.8 million in Patrick County in establishing their first U.S. manufacturing operation. Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday announced the project that will add 58 new jobs to Patrick County, making it the governors first economic announcement in the locality in 15 years. This project is a great win for Virginias hardwood loggers and forestland owners, Northam said. Forestry continues to be an important pillar of communities across the Commonwealth because industry leaders recognize the benefits of our abundant natural resources, extensive transportation network and unparalleled workforce. We thank Prolam for locating its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Southern Virginia and look forward to a long partnership with the company. Prolam, headquartered in Quebec, Canada, is a leading producer of commercial trailer flooring and uses lower grad red and white oak lumber not suited for residential flooring. Before entering a fatality into the COVID-19 database, health workers first wait to receive a death certificate. That process can take weeks, which is why its never clear when a person died of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus by the time it reaches the official COVID-19 records. The goal of the health department is to trace cases and deaths by a persons official place of residence to give individual localities a better understanding of the pandemics current state at the community level Health workers often find address information has assigned a case or fatality to the wrong location, most notable via ZIP code data. In Virginia, ZIP codes do not always match communities. For example, someone may have a Danville ZIP code but reside just outside the city limits, making that individual a resident of the county. When data is submitted from labs, the ZIP code may automatically assign that county resident to the Danville log books. In these scenarios, the case will be re-assigned to the appropriate locality, which may result in a negative count for the original locality and a positive case count in the re-assigned locality, health officials wrote in the online posting. Along with our partners, we have made the process of getting vaccinated very easy, and this has helped also, Bell said. Im referring to extended pharmacy hours, open clinics at our health departments, and the mobile clinics that have taken place throughout the district. That being said, we know some people are hesitating to get the COVID vaccine because of false information they have received in particular that the vaccine causes infertility, alters DNA or that it is untested. The health department, hospitals and pharmacies are here to help, not harm, and much scientific evidence suggests none of these fears are true. The month ended on kind of a down note, with six new cases in the district, the second-largest single-day total of the month and the most since June 5, when there were six. There were 11 on June 4 and six on June 3. Four of those new cases were in Patrick County, which has by far the lowest vaccination rate in the district and one of the lowest in the state. Only 34.2% of Patrick County residents 40.9% of adults have had even one shot, and barely 3 in 10 are fully vaccinated (37% of adults). EDEN Since coming to UNC Rockingham Health Care in January as the director of emergency services, nurse Jon McMurphy has looked for ways to make the emergency department run more efficiently. In June, he launched a strategy that is doing just that. McMurphy put paramedics to work in UNC Rockinghams emergency department, where they serve as liaisons between nurses and ED techs. Three paramedics started in June: Holden Flynn, Shawn Farmer and Misty Toler. A fourth, Karlissa Warner, will start in late July, and McMurphy hopes to hire three more. Its a great plan, said emergency physician Joseph Dellaria, who is impressed with the paramedics level of skills. Thats due in part to McMurphys hiring strategy. As a veteran of emergency medicine, he values the work paramedics do in the field, but he knows that for some, it only whets their appetite to become more entrenched in a healthcare setting. He looks for those paramedics who are motivated to continue their education. Three of his new hires are either enrolled in nursing school or are in the process of enrolling. Another has applied to a physician assistant program. Rockingham County Commissioners recognized its own economic development leader, Leigh Cockram, at the June 21 board meeting at the Governmental Center in Wentworth. During the meeting, County Manager Lance Metzler presented Cockram, who was named June 9, the 2021 North Carolina Economic Development Association Economic Developer of the Year. Metzler said, Leigh has done a fantastic job and she is the best in the state of North Carolina. Each year, the North Carolina Economic Development Association presents an annual award to the individual who best exemplifies leadership in the states economic development efforts. The North Carolina Economic Developer of the Year award is given in recognition of the winners contributions to expansions and projects completed during the previous calendar year. County offer funds for rent, utilities aid Rockingham County applied for and received a CDBG COVID-19 grant to assist Rockingham County residents with rent and/or utilities. The United Way of Rockingham County will be accepting and processing the applications. There will be $1,000 per household cap on awards. Anyone who has documentation supporting a loss of income during the pandemic is allowed to apply. DONT MISS: Fourth of July celebrations Last year, the pandemic kept most of us cooped up inside on Independence Day. So we cant blame you if you dont want to be anchored to the couch this weekend. Still, television offers some celebratory options and pyrotechnic displays look pretty cool in HD. The highlights include Macys 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular (8 p.m. Sunday, NBC), boasting an impressive light show from New York City, along with performances by Black Pumas, Coldplay, OneRepublic, Reba McEntire and more. And then theres A Capitol Fourth (8 p.m. Sunday, PBS). Vanessa Williams hosts the special featuring fireworks from Washington, D.C., and performances from around the nation. The talent list includes Cynthia Erivo, Alan Jackson, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Nettles, Micky Guyton and others. Trevor Hines, who says he has always loved old things and grew up watching "Antiques Roadshow," frequents yard sales and found the skull at a yard sale in Lumberton. He declines to tell how much he paid for the skull, but he says he paid over $100 for it and two other items. I know that is kinda frustrating to people sometimes, but sometimes patience is the best plan, he said. A sticky capture It was Davis idea to set up glue traps around the foundation of the home, German said, because there were so many places where the snake could enter and leave through the access point it had found. The glue traps were there to keep the snake from getting back into its deep network of crevices once it emerged. At about 8:30 p.m., right around sundown, when snakes become more active, the snake came out, got stuck on the glue trap, and was caught. We used snake tongs to take the glue trap with the snake and get it into a bucket, German said. Then it became a matter of getting the snake off the glue trap. Many people are familiar with glue traps that catch small rodents around their homes, and those stories usually have very sad endings. German said the glue traps used for the zebra cobra were very similar to the kinds homeowners and exterminators use, with the difference being that the snake was removed from the trap safely and right away (mineral oil is the best method, he said), and thats why its OK now. DURHAM One year after a Durham woman was killed by celebratory gunfire on Independence Day, the city's police department is telling residents not to fire their guns in the air this July 4 holiday weekend. In a 35-second public service announcement released Friday, the police department remembers the life of Paulette Thorpe, a 74-year-old Durham mother of five who was fatally struck by a stray bullet while sitting on a friend's porch on the night of July 4, 2020. The PSA warns that while shooting a gun in the air might seem harmless, it can have deadly consequences. "Celebratory gunfire is not fun and games, it's a violent crime that kills. Don't do it," a narrator says in the video, which is available in English and Spanish. The department worked closely with Thorpe's family to produce the PSA, Lt. G.L. Minor, a spokesperson for the department, said in a release. "The goal was to create a compelling promotion that would honor Mrs. Thorpe's life and cause community members to stop and think about the possible consequences of their actions," Minor said. In addition to potentially causing serious injury or loss of life, anyone caught firing a gun in the air could be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $500, Minor said. In these pages three years ago, Melanie Rodenbough stared her mortality in the face and shared with all of us what she was seeing and feeling. After seven years, her metastatic breast cancer had returned. There is admittedly still shock, she wrote in June of 2018. I was humming along in my life just fine, with growing confidence that Id reach the 10-year mark and be free of the shadow of metastasis. And now this. But if it was all the same to us, she added, she still intended on living the rest of her life as fully, purposefully and joyously as she could. And we should, too. Truth is, she wrote, I have as long as you do: Each of us will live until we die. And so I will spend it with people I love, tend my flowers and watch my bluebirds. Ill slow down for my elderly dog because Im a little slower too now, Ill sit and watch the sway of branches in the old willow oak out front, and Ill smile at the young mother who strolls her baby by my house every morning. And, oh yes, Ill continue to raise a little gospel hell about the injustices that pervade our culture. We lost Melanie last week. She would have been 66 on Nov. 30. He claimed that a car accident in which the driver left the scene and he was declared dead caused him to miss his appointment to the Naval Academy. In fact, the driver didnt leave the scene, he wasnt declared dead and was rejected by the Naval Academy prior to the accident. He eventually owned up to the Naval Academy lie, but not until his campaign capitalized on the fabrication. He dropped out of Patrick Henry College with low grades and was the subject of a letter signed by 150 alumni accusing him of gross misconduct toward women, predatory behavior and honor code violations. He spread ludicrous conspiracy theories. One was the existence of a group of cartels that kidnaped tens and thousands of American children and sold them to a sex slave market. Another was his claim that antifa or paid Democratic agitators were behind the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. Constituents in the 11th District are experiencing buyers remorse. A PAC, Fire Madison Cawthorn, has been formed and former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin Jr., an influential early supporter, has withdrawn his backing. This bad hombre should go home, grow up and clean up his act. The people of the 11th deserve better. Conservative evangelical Christians in America havent always been all-out supporters of Israel. They once were downright hostile. That changed in 1984 when North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms ran for reelection against Gov. Jim Hunt. Helms flip-flop on Israel had nothing to do with religion. It was about campaign contributions. During his first two terms in the Senate, 1972-1984, Helms was a staunch foe of Israel. He proposed a resolution demanding that Israel return the West Bank to Jordan. He said Palestinian Arabs deserved a just settlement of their grievances. He called for breaking diplomatic relations with Israel during the 1982 Lebanon War. Challenged on his views, he said, Let me remind you that Menachem Begin (then prime minister of Israel) does not believe in Jesus Christ. Then politics intervened. I saw it firsthand while working in Hunts campaign against Helms. Arthur Cassell, a Jewish businessman and philanthropist from Greensboro, offered to help Hunt. Cassell said the Jewish community across the country viewed Helms as Israels No. 1 enemy in the Senate. There was a rich vein of financial support waiting to be tapped for Helms opponent. Tap it we did. In the words of Julia Sugarbaker, sometimes you need to send a big note. Instead of being hasty, you need to prudently craft the message and put it in writing. Lately, there are a few things that have moved me to jot down my thoughts. But getting the words to the person on time is a little more difficult, thanks to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. And this isnt just something I made up. An online tool on The Washington Posts website allows you to put in your ZIP code and determine how your mail delivery has changed under DeJoys so-called efforts to save money. For example, Im going from 90% of my mail being delivered in two to three days to 79% delivered in that same time frame. As such, Im using this medium to share my concerns. Dear N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein: Your website says you put the people of North Carolina first. If this is true, then youve got to do something about these robocalls. Yes, Im still one of the few with a home phone, so I allow most of these nuisance calls to go straight to voicemail. But when the phone announces that a call is coming from a name I know, Ill pick up only to find out the person on the other end warns me I only have a few more days to buy an extended car warranty before its too late. This June marked the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) in North Carolina. Then-state House Speaker Thom Tillis spearheaded this historic, bipartisan effort for criminal justice reform. Now, as a U.S. senator, he can build on this legacy by cosponsoring and leading on the EQUAL Act. Our states prison population grew by 29% between 2000 and 2010. Then-Speaker Tillis recognized that over incarceration benefits no one, in prison or out. Not only did the JRI reform package save North Carolina taxpayers more than $543 million since its enactment, our states prison population declined by 11% between 2011 and 2019. Since the JRI reform package passed, North Carolina prisoners have been encouraged and enabled to complete rehabilitative, evidence-based programs. Since 2014, Tillis has carried the lessons of North Carolina into his work on justice reform for the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. As director of the Almond Connection, a reentry organization in Guilford County, I have seen more formerly incarcerated North Carolinians leave prison equipped with the skills and mindset for a successful return home. I also see that people who serve unjust sentences are less likely to pursue active accountability and character change behind bars. There is still a grave injustice in federal sentencing laws today, in how we treat crack cocaine offenses. Who wants to move beyond the days of rebellion in the fight for human rights and into an era where commonality rules the day over the fear of oppression? I cant imagine any of us who dont. As such, we need leaders who move us in that direction, not the opposite. That is why I have to speak out and say we have the wrong kind of leadership in Montana in the way of Representative Matt Rosendale and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and everyone else who supports the views they recently made public. The US House recently voted 415-14 to make June 19th a US holiday in memory of our efforts to abolish human slavery under our ancestors watch. Of the fourteen Representative who voted not to have this remembrance, twelve of them are proud Republicans, one of which is Montanas Representative Matt Rosendale. Many of us did not vote for Rosendale because we knew his human leadership qualities were lacking. Also Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is arguing we should not be concerned with the manufacturing and public ownership of AR-15 automatic rifles. This is because he believes it is Americas rifle and that it has been used in a small percentage of gun crimes. EFFINGHAM The funeral for fallen volunteer firefighter Mehdi Mourad of Mattoon, who was from Morocco, drew a long procession of area firefighters and an online international audience on Saturday. The line of firetrucks included multiple units from the Wabash Fire Protection District in rural Mattoon, which 21-year-old Mourad decided to join this summer after arriving in the United States to study automotive technology at Lake Land College. Wabash Chief Jerry Schultz said, before the funeral began at New Hope Church in Effingham, that it was a "rarity" to have a young man who is so completely new to the area volunteer to serve as a firefighter. Schultz said he was impressed by Mourad being a go-getter and knows he would have been a great asset to the fire department. Mourad died from injuries sustained in a crash on June 27 while he was responding in his car to an accident scene on Interstate 57 during heavy rainfall. He had officially joined the fire department five days before the crash and he had been responding to just his second call for service at the time. Although Mourad was part of the Wabash Fire Protection District for a short time, Schultz said the young man will have a lasting impact on his fellow volunteer firefighters. "He has brought us a lot closer together since this whole ordeal began," Schultz said. The fire chief also noted the large number of Lake Land students who had gotten to know and like Mourad, and who turned out in large numbers to mourn together at the funeral. He pointed out that the funeral had an international audience, as well. Johnson Funeral Home streamed the funeral service live on its Facebook page, where live condolences were left in English and in Arabic script and from commenters as far away as Finland, Gibraltar, Italy and Togo. Mourad's friends from the Lake Land community at the funeral included Adrianna Knueppel, a volunteer firefighter with the Toledo Fire Protection District. Knueppel said she met Mourad while they were both students at the college and they bonded over their shared interest in firefighting. "He was super helpful. He would do anything for anybody," Knueppel said of Mourad. The crew of Toledo volunteers rode in the procession in one of their fire engines. Firefighter/EMS crew member Jarrod Leitch said, as he prepared to take part in the funeral procession, that late Toledo firefighter Chad Sponsel was in his thoughts. Sponsel died at age 33 in 2019 after a battle with cancer. "This is what (Sponsel) would have done. He would have been here with us to show up and give support," Leitch said of Mourad's funeral. "We want to honor and give respects to this young gentleman." Firefighters and vehicles from more than 20 area departments took part in the procession from Effingham to the burial site at Neoga Memorial Cemetery. Chief Bill Albin of the Neoga Fire Protection District, which works closely with the adjacent Wabash district, said it was good to see fire trucks from so many departments in the procession. He said firefighting is a calling and all firefighters, no matter the size of their department, are pursuing the same goal of saving lives. The procession was greeted outside of the cemetery by Neoga and Cumberland County emergency responders and by several community members along U.S. Route 45. Nikki Heddins of Sullivan brought her children Anna, 8; Chase, 3; and McKaylen, 2, to pay their respects for Mourad and to support her fiance, Nathan Selby, who is a Sullivan firefighter. She said the fatal crash has reminded her of the dangers of being a firefighter and kept her thinking about the fallen firefighter ever since. "He was so young. He had a lot of life ahead of him," Heddins said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CARBONDALE Where some saw a fading wall in need of a new coat of paint, Gail and Linda White saw potential in the building at the corner of Washington and Jackson Streets in Carbondale, Illinois. They saw it as an opportunity to capture history and a chance for people to reminisce. Town Square Market is a tenant there now, but many businesses have come and gone over the years, such as Seiberts drug store. And, as much as many people in the community remember the drug store for its inventory, look and services, they also likely remember the advertising on the side of the building promotions for Coca-Cola, tobacco products and even Kodak film. Wanting to preserve some of these memories, the Whites, along with local artist and sign painter Christine DeShazo, are working to highlight several of the former advertisements in a collage mural on the building, which the Whites purchased in 1989. When we obtained the building, there were fragments of the various signs that had been painted on the east side of the building along Washington Street that were still visible. We had always wanted to do an interpretation or a collage of the various signs that were painted there at different times in the history of the building, Gail White explained. It is all part of the history of that building because it was the location of Seiberts drug store back in the early 1900s, back when the area was the hub of commercial activity in Carbondale, White said. From the beginning, White said the plan was not to restore just one of the advertisements that appeared over the decades, but rather merge many into a single mural. He said he wanted not a restoration, but a vintage-looking re-creation. Deshazo, owner of Spectrum Graphics in Murphysboro, said she had wanted to work on the wall for years even before she met the Whites. She called the project a dream job for her, but one that required lots of preparation and research. It had so many layers of paint over it and such a large area of impact, but you could no longer read anything, she said. Each layer of paint and primer was hiding what was below. White said that even though traces and ghosts of previous signs, advertisements and lettering still remained, none were complete. Working as sort of amateur archeologists with DeShazo, they took photographs of the wall in various light conditions, scoured old photographs and histories to piece together some of what the wall had looked at over the years. They discovered advertisements for businesses housed in the building and for products available at Sieberts everything from flour and cigars to film and Coca-Cola. DeShazos design of the new mural incorporates many of these ads, often in the places on the wall where they originally were. Everything thats on the wall is as close to the original positioning as possible, she explained. Like with the Coca-Cola ad from 1937, all I found was a portion of the first C and a line that was probably no more than 1/64 of an inch wide that had clung to the wall all those years. It was like doing archeology work on the surface of a wall instead of digging in the ground. It was a project to discern all of the layers. The mural collage, which DeShazo hopes to finish this summer, takes logos and signage that would have covered most or all of the wall measuring 16 feet tall by about 80 feet wide and brings them back as a smaller part of a bigger display. She says when it is done, she will have put almost 150 hours into the collage. She called it one of the most rewarding projects she has done. It has been so much fun to meet the residents within the community and see their expressions, she said. So many of the neighbors have stopped by while I was working on it and shared with me how they remembered this or that and that would lead to stories. Its been a joy. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 LITCHFIELD Two were injured after a Springfield man apparently drove the wrong way on Interstate 55 and collided with another vehicle early Saturday morning, according to Illinois State Police. Remington Montgomery, 37, was southbound in the northbound lanes of the interstate north of Litchfield in Montgomery County at 2:05 a.m. when his 2020 Nissan pickup collided with a 2019 Kenworth semi-trailer which was driving the appropriate direction, according to an Illinois State Police report. Roger Rosser, 56, Rockford, was driving the semi-trailer and was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threating injuries, according to the report. Montgomery was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries. Montgomery was preliminarily charged with counts relating to driving under the influence, speeding, driving without insurance and driving the wrong way on an interstate, according to the report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. Hundreds of local residents celebrated Americas independence on Saturday during the annual Blountville parade. Every year, the Blountville Ruritan Club hosts the parade through downtown Blountville. The parade begins at the intersection of state Route 126 at Keystone Drive and ends at the historic Sullivan County courthouse. With no formal sign-in, the Blountville parade welcomes all participants from businesses to schools. Families lined the mile-long route to watch the parade pass by as many people tossed out candy to spectators. Red, white and blue flags and patriotic attire lined the street. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The West Ridge High School band debuted at the parade, a couple hours after first performing at the Kingsport Independence Day parade. The large band performed several times while marching down historic Blountvilles main thoroughfare. The color guard and dance team joined the band. The Kingsport Community Band, which first participated in Blountvilles parade in 2019, also took part Saturday. NORTON, Va. Theres a wetland at the top of a mountain in Wise County. Thats not a typo: Along a ridge of Stone Mountain, 3,000 feet above sea level, sits a boggy pond surrounded by a flat stretch of mud and low grasses, looking for all the world like a little swamp photoshopped over the forest. Walter Wally Smith stood at the edge of the wetlands small, tea-colored pool. It was Friday, June 25, and Smith an assistant professor of biology at the University of Virginias College at Wise was just beginning to explain why its hard to find frogs during the day when he was interrupted by a frog. The creature hopping over the mud at his feet was tiny, well-camouflaged and quick enough that most people would probably have missed it. But Smith, 36, is a herpetologist, a zoologist who specializes in amphibians and reptiles. In seconds, hed scooped it up and lightly pinned its fingernail-length back legs between his fingers. That is a little, recently transformed wood frog, Smith said as he pulled a camera from his backpack with his free hand. It probably just left the pond in the last couple weeks. The biologist added wood frog to the amphibian count hes keeping as he and Belle Romans a 20-year-old rising senior at UVa-Wise who is working with him through a summer fellowship combed the wetlands edge. Frog Log Amphibian tally from June 25 visit to the Stone Mountain wetland: 20 mountain dusky salamanders Five wood frog metamorphs (young individuals that just transformed from tadpoles) Two eastern newts One northern dusky salamander One mud salamander Total amphibians: 29 The site is one of six high-altitude wetlands across about 30 miles of Southwest Virginia that Smith and Romans are routinely visiting this summer and early fall, all to answer a simple question: What frogs and salamanders live there? As far as Smith can tell, nobody else has asked it, and the initial results have already upended scientific knowledge about a particular salamander species. Smith said he hopes thats just the start. I think itll help rewrite our understanding of these wetlands, Smith said. Were finding really unique species. Herpspeak Herpetologists are zoologists who focus on reptiles and amphibians, and like any group of people obsessed with something, they have their own lingo. Here are the most common terms Smith said he and other amphibian expertsalong with amateur enthusiastsuse to describe their field.* Herp (noun): A catch-all term for amphibian and reptile species. Derived from herpe-tofauna, the formal scientific term for reptiles and amphibians. Pl. herps. Herp (verb): To go looking for amphibians. Herped, herping, herps. Anyone can herp, Smith said, from kids in their backyards to tenured researchers like himself. Herper (noun): One who herps. Frog logger: A digital recorder used to record frog calls. Mander: Short for salamander. This ones actually specific to Smith. Thats kind of my personal, just growing-up-in-the-South slang term, said Smith, who hails from northeast Georgia. Its kind of a term of endearment, I guess, that I use when I find one. *If all of this makes you think of herpes, you arent the first to do so. I had a guy a few years ago who called me up at the college, and he wondered if I could come give a presentation on my herpes to his group, Smith said, laughing. I was like, Im sorry? Oh, yeah, hes talking about herps. More than a mud pit A wetland, as the name implies, is an area of land thats either regularly covered by or saturated with water. The best-known types are found along coasts, river floodplains and other low-lying areas. But the wetlands dotting the upper slopes of the Appalachians dont even have a firm definition, Smith said. For the amphibian survey, he and Romans have decided to define them as any wetlands higher than about 2,700 feet. The wetlands origins are hazy, but Smith said that some of the studys sites seem to have formed in little depressions on mountain ridges places without any nearby streams for rainfall and snowmelt to escape into. Several of the other sites sit atop something he called a hanging valley a flat, treeless expanse containing a wetland, often at the headwaters of a stream. Glacier movements carved hanging valleys in other mountain ranges, Smith said. Not the ones in the Appalachians. This is just more the way the landscape is formed, he said. Its so neat, because its not created by humans in any way, but youll be walking through the forest and all of a sudden break out [into] bright sunlight this big wetland where its just too wet to have that forest canopy growth, Smith said. The wetlands arent connected to streams, which means no fish to gobble up frog and salamander eggs, Smith said. If youre an amphibian looking for good real estate in these mountains, you cant do much better than a fishless wetland. While Appalachias high-altitude wetlands are extremely rare, Smith said most people either dont know that they exist or dont realize what they are. Were losing a lot of these [high-altitude] wetlands, because so many people see them and they think, Oh, its just a big mud pit, Smith said. The spots can easily wind up drained or otherwise destroyed in the process of land development and timber harvesting, or just disturbed by human activity, Smith said. ...Weve got, in the area, a very big motorized trail boom thats happening right now, said Smith, who is also a member of the Clinch Coalition, a community group that advocates for environmental protections in Southwest Virginia. Thats obviously a fun place to come if youve got, you know, an ATV or a truck or a Jeep, but unfortunately then, that churns up a lot of the herp. Herp: herpetology slang for amphibians and reptiles. Herping, Smith explained, is simply the act of looking for those animals, and a herper, is one who herps. He said the terms can apply to anyone and everyone, from a 6-year-old poking around in a backyard to a pair of researchers herping in high-altitude wetlands where no herpers have herped before. Smith said that recording what frogs and manders, as he sometimes calls salamanders, live in these unique wetlands is as necessary a research question as it is basic. Its hard to know how to protect an ecosystem, or notice how it might be changing, if you dont know whats in it to begin with, he said. Hes confident that all of that data will culminate in a peer-reviewed scientific article: an impressive notch in Romans belt, he said, since its rare for undergraduates to publish research. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Beyond [that], were basically going to hand all of our data off to the [U.S.] Forest Service ... because these wetlands are on Forest Service land, Smith said. So theyll know what species are here, what habitat features those species need. ... If theyre going to log around this [spot] or do a prescribed burn or something in the future, [the data] can help them better inform their management. In the heights UVa-Wise associate professor of biology Walter Wally Smith and Belle Romans, a rising UVa-Wise senior working with Smith through a research fellowship, are spending their summer trekking to six high-altitude wetlands in Southwest Virginia. The goal: figure out what amphibians live in these unique, under-studied ecosystems. While theyre still doing the fieldwork, here are all the species their visits have uncovered so far: Wood frog Green frog American bullfrog Pickerel frog Spring peeper American toad Fowlers toad Copes Gray treefrog Spotted salamander Northern dusky salamander Seal salamander Mountain dusky salamander Long-tailed salamander Eastern newt Cumberland Plateau salamander Southern ravine salamander Mud salamander An out-of-place salamander The herps at the Stone Mountain wetland seemed cooperative that Friday morning. Within minutes of starting to search the site, Smith plucked two mountain dusky salamanders from under a piece of old cloth tarp. (Of course [these two are] under junk instead of natural cover, he said ironically.) Smith said the species which belongs to the dusky salamander genus is extremely common. The pair draped over his palm werent the same shade of brown: One had a distinctly yellower hue than the other. The nuance that gave their identity away, he said, was the pale stripe on either side of their heads. Smith said the species he really hoped to find that morning, a mud salamander, didnt require any such nuance to identify. Its a bright, tomato red with black spots. A mud salamander sparked the entire survey, Smith said. In 2019, during some previous field work, he encountered one at a much higher altitude than he expected to see it. [The mud salamander] is known from the area, an Appalachian species we have here, but its only really supposed to live, according to the field guides, down in big, bottomland-type wetlands that you find along a major river, Smith said. I think it actually says in one of the field guides, Absent from the higher elevations of the Appalachians or something. But Smith said that since starting the survey in mid-May, he and Romans have spotted the species twice more at high-altitude wetlands: once at a site in Grayson County, once here. He wasnt expecting to see one this morning, though. Thats like the first rule of herping: All the critters disappear as soon as you talk about them, Smith said. Our mud salamander, Ill be shocked if we see that because Im hyping it up so hard. Slogging through forests and frog call recordings The team slowly worked their way around the water, turning over every log and stone within a roughly 30-foot band. Eventually, once their mental tally of critters grew unwieldy, Smith would pull out his notebook and start jotting it all down. But the first 20 minutes or so were easy: nothing but mountain duskies five, then seven, nine, into double digits. Its crazy that were seeing that many here, Smith said. ...Were probably seeing just a fraction of whats actually here. Their abundance was a good sign for the general area: Smith said that amphibians form a key link in the mountains food chain, snapping up energy and nutrients from invertebrates and transferring it to the birds, fish and reptiles that then eat them. If you put all of the salamanders and other amphibians here on a giant scale, they would actually outweigh everything bigger than them, he said. They really dominate the vertebrate biomass, the stuff with a backbone, that we have around here, he said. Amphibians it sounds so depressing to say this theyre really important, ecologically, because they get eaten a lot. The only piece of equipment Smith brought beyond his field camera was a frog logger, a small digital recorder connected to a mic couched in a cone-shaped plastic amplifier. Smith by now on the far side of the wetland strung the mic around the trunk of a mountain laurel, put the recorder in a Tupperware container beneath it and planted a little orange flag to mark the spot. [The recorder is] a really good way to inventory the frogs, because even ... if we were to come out here at night and walk down to the pond, most of the frogs would quit calling when the word got out that we were here, Smith said. Belles going to have probably about 54 hours, after this, of frog calls to listen to. Besides patience, the research requires stamina. Smith said that most of the high-altitude wetlands he and Romans are surveying require a 2- to 2.5-mile hike and 500 feet of elevation gain, one way. Romans who sought out the research fellowship after taking two courses with Smith said she loves it. Belle has been a beast, Smith said of her. Weve hiked more than 30 miles in the past month. Kind of like nerd Christmas Smith finished sweeping the Stone Mountain wetland alone that morning, though; Romans had to duck out early for her other summer gig, at a womens clothing boutique in Norton. As the biologist neared the end of his circle around the pond, his now-written tally included a heap of mountain duskies, several more wood frogs and a northern dusky salamander. Hah hah! he said, scooping up one of the mud salamanders hed been trying not to hope for. This one was more orange than red, and a dull orange at that. But for the amphibian survey, that was even better: Smith said the drab color, plus the salamanders small size, meant this one was young maybe 2 or 3 years old. The other one, if its out [here], is a big, big adult, probably 10, 12 years old maybe, Smith said. This is a good sign, because it shows that we dont just have a couple old adults who arent reproductive anymoretheres actually reproduction happening here, which is really good for the population. Smith snapped a few photos of the animal, set it back down and turned his attention to the next log. Its honestly like being a kid, he said of the work. You just never know what youre going to find. Its kind of like nerd Christmas, in a way. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. As daunting as delta is, the best firewall we can put up is obvious. Vaccinations are the biggest reason why Illinois seven-day rolling average positivity rate is now under 1%. On Wednesday, Illinois had 259 COVID-19 cases, compared with a peak of 17,608 last November. And yet, despite that progress, more than half of Illinoisans have yet to be fully vaccinated. The states daily average for vaccinations has dipped from more than 100,000 a day in the sprint to the current seven-day rolling average of 43,219 vaccines administered. The delta variant is currently the greatest threat in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, said at a recent White House briefing on the virus. Good news: Our vaccines are effective against the delta variant. We have the tools. So lets use them, and crush the outbreak. Younger Americans, those in their late teens and early 20s, have been particularly reluctant to get vaccinated. Reasons vary from strong ideological opposition to vaccines to indifference about the need to get them. The Biden administration says it will redouble efforts to get younger Americans vaccinated. In the meantime, everyone within earshot of a Gen Z individual parent, grandparent, sibling, neighbor should drive home the message. Want everything as it was? Pine for a time when masks stay in drawers? Want to turn back the threat of the delta variant? Get vaccinated. Its free, its easy and its the best and only way to put the pandemic in our collective rearview mirror. 2021 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It was like being in a time that predated poverty, like a black and white photo from a time no living person remembered. The overarching emotion was one of oppression. Apart from a few school children in the city of Zhuhai, I didnt see joy in the faces of the people we encountered. Whether it was lack of curiosity, fear, paranoia, I dont know, but our group of Americans sensed we were not welcome guests. On board the bus after touring, we headed back to the Chinese-Macau border. Just before crossing back across the line from communism into the freedom of Macau, the driver stopped, our armed escort gave us one last unblinking stare and then stepped off the bus. The driver closed the door, accelerated and crossed the border, leaving China behind. In the dead silence of the moments that followed, I could feel the pounding of my heart, and I wondered if others were experiencing the same release of anxiety and fear. Then a lone voice started singing: God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above Representative image Kabul [Afghanistan], July 4 (ANI): At least three civilians and 24 Taliban terrorists killed in two eastern Afghan provinces as fighting intensifies in the war-torn country. In Laghman province, nine terrorists were killed and 17 wounded after Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) targeted their position in Alishing district Saturday night, Xinhua reported citing the Afghan ministry of defence. In Laghman province, nine terrorists were killed and 17 wounded after ANDSF targeted their position in Alishing district Saturday night, the ministry said in a statement. On Saturday afternoon, three civilians were killed and 30 others wounded during fierce battles between Taliban and the security forces in Omarzai, a locality near Mehtarlam, capital of Laghman, according to the director of provincial hospital Abdul Maruf. Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against civilians and Afghan defence and security forces. This comes as foreign forces are withdrawing from the war-torn country. As the Taliban have taken control of several districts across the country, US intelligence assessments have suggested the country's civilian government could fall to the terror group within months of US forces withdrawing. (ANI) The newly inducted fighter jet Rafale is seen on display during the 88th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, India, October 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis New Delhi, Jul 4 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday questioned the silence of the government after French authorities ordered a probe into 'corruption and favouritism' in the Rafale deal. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera sought to know that in an inter-governmental defence deal, where there cannot be any middlemen or corruption, when the beneficiary of any 'corruption' has ordered a probe, why has a country, which has lost public money, not ordered one? He alleged that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a lot of noise about national security, but undermines the country's security interests when it comes to helping its crony capitalist friends. 'After more than 24 hours of the decision by France to investigate corruption, influence peddling, money laundering, favouritism, there is one question every responsible Indian, every concerned citizen asks. Why is the Government of India still silent?' Khera asked at a press conference. He said the Rafale fighter jets deal was an inter-government deal between India and France, which means that the governments of the two countries were on either side. Khera sought to know that now that the French Public Prosecution Services (PNF) has initiated a probe into the corruption allegations against the previous president of France, who was one of the parties to the deal, why is no enquiry being ordered on the role of the key functionaries of the Indian government? 'It is downright insulting to the people of India that this government and its ministers have stayed tight-lipped about this entire scandal. Why is the Minister of Defence silent on accountability and scrutiny?' he asked. 'The Indian National Congress demands that a fair Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be constituted immediately and every aspect of the Rafale deal probed by it. The people of India deserve to know the truth,' Khera said. He said every government has always prioritised and taken pride in the country's national security policy. Story continues Although the Modi government makes 'loud song and dance' about national security, 'it does everything under the sun to undermine India's security interests when it comes to filling the coffers of its corporate friends', the Congress leader alleged. He asked why the person who caused a loss to the Indian exchequer is not being investigated. Khera said it is abundantly clear that this is not a loss to France, but to India. 'It is not France that has been cheated or robbed, rather it is every single Indian taxpayer who has been cheated and robbed off,' he said. FILE PHOTO: Police take pictures at the site where a man allegedly stabbed a police officer, in Hong Kong HONG KONG (Reuters) -Beverage maker Vitasoy has become the latest target of Chinese netizens' calls for a boycott after an employee circulated a memo online offering condolences to the family of a worker who had stabbed a Hong Kong police officer. In a statement on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Saturday, Vitasoy said a staff member had circulated a memo that it described as "extremely inappropriate" without authorisation, and the company reserved the right to take legal action. The memo offered condolences to the family of a 50-year-old Vitasoy worker who had stabbed a police officer, 28, and then killed himself on Thursday, the anniversary the former British colony's return to Chinese rule, media outlets reported. "What this employee wrote should not have been made public and should not have been published internally," Vitasoy said. "Vitasoy Group sincerely apologises for any troubles or grievances this has caused. We support Hong Kong's long-term prosperity, stability and development." Police have described the stabbing as an attempted murder. The officer's condition has improved from critical to serious. The worker's memo triggered a flood of online calls for a boycott of Vitasoy, which gets two-thirds of its revenue from mainland China. The hashtag "#Vitasoygetoutofthemainland" has garnered almost 100 million views. Hong Kong authorities warned on Sunday that advocating for people to mourn for the attacker was no different from "supporting terrorism" and criticised parents who took children to mourn him. The Police National Security Department said it had taken over the case and initial investigations showed it was a "lone wolf-style act of domestic terrorism, in which the attacker was believed to be radicalised by myriad fake information." It warned members of the public "not to tolerate or glorify violence." A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of inciting others to commit murder, as well as arson and seditious intention, said police Superintendent Wilson Tam. Story continues Tam did not specify whether the arrests were related to the stabbing, telling a news conference only that the pair were suspected of posting messages on social media on Friday. One of the messages incited people to kill police, he said, adding that more arrests could not be ruled out. On Friday, people went to the scene of the attack, some with children, to pay their respects to the attacker and lay flowers. Mainland actor Gong Jun, who previously endorsed a Vitasoy lemon-flavoured drink, announced late on Friday he was ending commercial cooperation with the company, said Global Times, a tabloid published by the ruling Chinese Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper. His announcement followed that of another mainland Chinese actor, Ren Jialun, who said he was also ceasing co-operation with Vitasoy, the newspaper added. Fashion retailer H&M said on Thursday its sales took a hit in China after its concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang led to a social media-inspired boycott by shoppers. (Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong and David Kirton in Shenzhen; Editing by William Mallard) Representative image Tel Aviv [Israel], July 4 (ANI): Israeli military on Sunday confirmed that a Palestinian was fatally shot amid clashes near an illegal West Bank outpost. A Palestinian youth was shot and killed on Saturday after being struck by Israeli soldiers near the West Bank Palestinian town of Qusra, close to Nablus, amid a "violent confrontation" between Israeli settlers of an illegal outpost and Palestinians, reported The Times of Israel. As per The Times of Israel, the military said that Mohammad Farid threw an explosive object at forces before being hit. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased Palestinian as 20-year-old Mohammad Farid. According to the Ma'an News Agency, Farid was transferred to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva for medical treatment before succumbing to his wounds. Meanwhile, dozens clashed near the town of Qusra, next to the Esh Kodesh outpost. Some 100 Palestinians and 30 settlers from the nearby illegal Esh Kodesh outpost clashed on Saturday evening near the West Bank town, according to media reports. The military said its soldiers in the area responded to "a violent confrontation between tens of Palestinian and Israeli settlers [that] developed adjacent to the village of Qusra... during which both sides hurled rocks at each other". "During the operation, a suspect was identified [after he] threw a suspicious object from the roof of a building that exploded near the forces. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers responded by firing toward the suspect to remove the danger," the military said in a statement. There were no reports of Israelis hurt in the incident, reported The Times of Israel. (ANI) Representative image (Photo Credit: Reuters) Tel Aviv [Israel], July 4 (ANI): A Palestinian man was killed on Saturday by Israeli soldiers near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, reported Xinhua citing sources. In a press statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 20-year-old Mohammed Hassan from the Qusra village, southeast of Nablus, was killed after being shot in his chest by Israeli soldiers. According to the eyewitnesses, Hassan was at the roof of his house and died from a stray gunshot fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in the village. Besides Hassan's death, the health ministry said that two other Palestinian demonstrators were shot and wounded by Israeli soldiers. They were evacuated to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus for treatment, Xinhua reported. Bashar al-Qaryouti, a Palestinian activist in the movement against Israeli settlement, told Xinhua that the clashes broke out in the village of Qusra after a group of settlers stormed there Saturday afternoon. "Over the past few weeks, the village has been subjected to daily attacks carried out by Israeli settlers who live in the nearby settlement outposts near Nablus," he said. There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the death of Hassan. (ANI) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (File photo) Tehran [Iran], July 3 (ANI): Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has criticized the US for not apologizing for targeting Iranian Airbus passenger plane in the Persian Gulf in 1988 and urged Washington to explain why it has eulogized the perpetrators of the crime. "Unfortunately, the US administration has never officially apologized for committing this crime and has even eulogized the navy commander," IRNA news reported quoting Rouhani who addressed the National Task Force for Fighting the Coronavirus on Saturday. The Iranian President further described the US act as "horrendous, and unacceptable" and hoped for the US administration to be aware of the fact that it has committed a big crime in 1988. The aircraft, an Airbus A300, was destroyed by two surface-to-air missiles fired from the USS Vincennes warship, killing all 290 passengers on board, including 66 children under thirteen, 53 women, and all the 16 crew members. The plane had 36 foreign nationals on board from six countries. The black box of the aircraft was never found. After the tragic incident, Will Rogers III, the captain of the US Vincennes, was eulogized and awarded, which proved that the US navy's attack at Iranian passenger plane has been a premeditated crime, according to the news agency. (ANI) Monday, July 5 The Harrisburg Farmers Market is open from 3-6 p.m. at 6960 Harrisburg Depot Road. Tuesday, July 6 The Rotary Square Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Concord at the intersection of Union Street South at Corban Avenue. An American Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Suite 8461, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 7 Tomatoes and Salsa hands-on workshop will teach how to preserve local tomatoes using a water bath canner as you prepare both tomatoes and salsa. Class will be offered from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Registration can be done in person on weekdays or online at www.cabarruscounty.us. Checks can be made payable to Cabarrus County and mailed to: Food Preservation Classes, c/o NC Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord, NC 28027. For more information, call 704-920-3310 weekdays. An American Red Cross blood drive will be hosted by the city of Concord at the Brown Operations Center, 850 Warren Coleman Blvd., from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. What in the world have we let happen to our country? The truth is we have lost sight of - and to a great degree control of - the principles on which our country was founded. In our zeal to "live and let live", we have allowed the lost and the misguided to change the very fabric of our country. After visiting America in 1831, the French writer, Alexis de Tocqueville, said: "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests, and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning, and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Instead of looking forward to the holiday because of the vacation it offers, maybe we need to hold on to July 4th for the freedom it provides. And this time, lets not forget or be ashamed of the real source of that freedom. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) But in a radical shift in policy, President Joe Biden recently released his budget which did not include pro-life protections or the Hyde Amendment. Americans must not be forced to violate their conscience to pay for abortions. Thats why just last week, House Republicans demanded a vote on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Its a sad commentary this bill even needs to be considered. But in the face of new threats from those who support abortion, I will never stop demanding we protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our community. Liberty is another principle I will always defend, just as North Carolinians have done since before our founding. On April 12, 1776, North Carolina became the first colony to officially support separation from Great Britain. Today, we must continue to lead the nation in the defense of our liberties especially our right to keep and bear arms. CHARLESTON The point of a pet parade is to have fun. With the 4-H SPIN Club pet parade held Sunday morning, a bit of creativity is welcome, too. "We've had a turtle in a bucket one year," said K-9 Unit Officer Chris Darimont, who has helped judge the pet parade for about three years. "This year, we have a guinea pig in a truck." "She's getting all of our attention," said Hope Ballinger, who accompanied her daughter, Morgan Lambird, to the pet parade, bringing May the guinea pig. May rode around in a remote-controlled four-wheeler covered in patriotic decorations. She was eventually awarded "Best in Show." Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "This parade just kind of, it's just a fun parade," said Julie Morrisey, who facilitates the event. "Everybody gets a prize." Among the several awards were "Best Dressed," given to Lucy the chi-terrier for wearing a red, white and blue tutu; "Most Patriotic" to Shelby the Boxer; and "Most Spunky" to Rocko the 11-week-old mini Aussie. "We always come to watch because we love all the dogs," said Nikki Davidson, Rocko's owner, who came to the parade with her daughter. "This year, they (facilitators) talked us into entering." "We like to go around and meet all the dogs and get to give out different awards," said Darimont, who was judging the award ceremony with Kolbi Kraft. "We kind of make the words up as we go, depending on what the dog's wearing, or dog's personality or what they look like, things like that. So sometimes you have 'Most Energetic' or 'Most Patriotic,' things like that." The pet parade is a free event run by the local SPIN Club, or Special Interest Club, which trains dogs for the 4-H competitions. People interested in joining the SPIN Club can call their local U of I extension office. In Charleston, that number is (217) 345-7034. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CAPITOL BUILDING STATUES: The House has passed a bill (H.R. 3005), sponsored by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., that would replace the bust of Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney in the Capitol building with a bust of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and remove statues of people who were in the Confederacy from display. Hoyer said the actions would uphold the principle that we are a special, exceptional country because we lift up the individual and we protect the 1 against the 99 if the 1 is right. An opponent, Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., said the bill failed to adequately account for the input of state legislatures on which statues should replace the statues that the bill would remove. The vote, on June 29, was 285 yeas to 120 nays. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The tomato farm, such that it was, had been graded and a large pipe, presumably the water supply, jutted up from the bare earth. Stakes marked the future path of a driveway. Weeds had sprouted through the dirt. Scott, as you noted, construction has started and we expect it will be complete in late summer, Suggs wrote in an email in May 2019. Except that it wasnt. When the project stalled cost overruns, unforeseen expenses, the usual Council did what Council does. It reached for the citys checkbook; another $500,000 was approved in January 2020. Theres an old saying, Clark said. When you find yourself in a hole, you stop digging. Still hopeful The hydroponic farms delays and cost overruns were never a matter of somebody doing something crooked or shady. Goler kept meticulous records and looped in city officials every step of the way. The money, wrote City Manager Lee Garrity in an email Thursday, is controlled by the city and officials authorize disbursements as various tasks are completed and invoices received. Even Clark, the lone elected skeptic of wet tomatoes, appreciates the work Goler has done. WASHINGTON (AP) As the last U.S. combat troops prepare to leave Afghanistan, the question arises: When is the war really over? For Afghans the answer is clear but grim: no time soon. An emboldened Taliban insurgency is making battlefield gains, and prospective peace talks are stalled. Some fear that once foreign forces are gone, Afghanistan will dive deeper into civil war. Though degraded, an Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State extremist network also lurks. For the United States and its coalition partners, the endgame is murky. Although all combat troops and 20 years of accumulated war materiel will soon be gone, the head of U.S Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie, will have authority until September to defend Afghan forces against the Taliban. He can do so by ordering strikes with U.S. warplanes based outside of Afghanistan, according to defense officials who discussed details of military planning on condition of anonymity. U.S. officials said Friday that the U.S. military has left Bagram Airfield after nearly 20 years. The facility was the epicenter of the war, but its transfer to the Afghan government did not mark the U.S. military's final withdrawal from the country. Two officials say the airfield was handed over in its entirety. They spoke on condition they not be identified because they were not authorized to disclose the handover to the media. Educating young people for citizenship means imparting a broad knowledge of diverse subjects. They should be able to read and consider news and information. They should possess a working grasp of math and science. And perhaps most importantly, they should know their countrys history and understand the civic institutions in which they will participate. Alas, when it comes to history and civics education, North Carolina seems determined to blow it. As my John Locke Foundation colleague Terry Stoops recently explained, state officials began a revision of North Carolinas social-studies standards in 2019. Over the next year, the process devolved into a politicized mess, producing standards that are heavy on leftist nomenclature and light on specificity, rigor and balance. A national group called the Thomas B. Fordham Institute noticed. In a newly released report evaluating history and civics standards across all 50 states, Fordham placed North Carolina near the bottom of the list, with a D minus for our new civics standards and an F in history. North Carolinas new civics and U.S. History standards are inadequate, the report states. Nebulous verbiage and an aversion to specifics make them functionally contentless in many places, and organization is poor throughout. A complete revision is recommended before implementation. Take back our school boards, our county boards, our city councils, he said. We will take back our culture. We dont have to fear this anymore. Its fine to urge people to run for office, of course. But if he wants to take back our culture by which I assume he means our societal norms, which have become more accepting of more of our citizens and less tolerant of intolerance hes got an uphill battle. American culture tends to trickle up rather than down. Like our unique styles of music jazz, the blues, bluegrass; like fashion, tested on the streets of Brooklyn before strutting down Manhattan runways; American culture comes in grassroots fashion from the American people. It also tends to be invented among our fringes by artists, intellectuals, malcontents and misfits who have unique creative visions that are eventually copied by the trying-to-be-hip muggles. And it varies from place to place. The culture of Seattle is not the culture of Memphis or Mount Airy. In public remarks to the Iowa Farmers Unions Lunch & Learn webinar series June 24, Rasmussen rattled some of Iowas political and ag leaders by wondering if a new state initiative to sequester carbon was just another subsidy scheme rather than a serious attempt to address climate change. His proof? Gov. Kim Reynolds newly named carbon sequestration panel has no environmental-group representation, reported the Iowa Capital Dispatch, June 26, but plenty of ag-group members, including one of the guvs biggest Big Ag campaign contributors. And that was just part of what he said; throughout much of his 16-slide presentation, Rasmussen questioned heaps of ag theology. For example, he asked the group if climate change is at least partial proof that our mission to feed the planet is, in fact, degrading the planet. Shortly thereafter, Rasmussen crossed the metaphorical Rubicon of farm politics: he dished dirt -- literally -- on ethanol. His entire quote, again, courtesy of the Iowa Capital Dispatch, was pure political heresy to Big Ag. SOUTH SIOUX CITY Al and Carol Levine are very ready to bid farewell to the summer heat in their non-air-conditioned dry cleaning shop in South Sioux City. After 70 years in business, Levine Cleaners is set to close July 30 -- if not before, said Carol Levine, 75. The couple would like to retreat to the air conditioning as soon as possible. The hotter it is, every day I have to get up -- I just want it to be over, she added. The shop at 2116 Dakota Ave. remains open now for only one reason: so that customers can pick up their dry cleaning and repaired clothing before the couple turns the keys over to the buildings new owner. They stopped accepting cleaning and repair jobs some time ago -- Al ran his last load of dry-cleaning on June 11 -- and they want all the pants and coats and gowns and shirts picked up as soon as possible. Theyve done their best to reach out to the people who need to pick up their cleaning. Its not exactly an easy process. (Sometimes) the phones disconnected, or I wrote the number wrong, or they told me the wrong number -- Ive found some on Facebook, Carol said. Govt-and-politics editor's pick topical Fortenberry initiative provides new Mideast peace tool JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during the Republican watch party on Tuesday. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Former Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey of New York As the long and deadly conflict between Israelis and Palestinians heats up once again, a freshly designed peace and development initiative with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's fingerprints all over it begins to take effect. The Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, named in honor of former Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, was enacted by Congress last December. It will provide $250 million over five years to expand "people to people" Israeli and Palestinian grassroots programs that generate peace and reconciliation while also helping bolster Palestinian economic development. "Congressman Fortenberry and I certainly don't share the same political philosophy," Lowey said in a telephone interview from New York, "but he really has been key in establishing this program. "He has really shown leadership on this," she said. "I have always been grateful for friends like Jeff Fortenberry." Don Walton: Lott, Lieberman trumpet Ben Nelson's book on 'Death of the Senate' "We all have a stake in saving the United States Senate," the former Republican majority leader and former Democratic vice presidential nominee say in the foreword to former Nebraska senator's upcoming book. As the new initiative begins to be implemented, the 1st District Republican congressman from Lincoln has been in direct contact with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the new program. "He assured me he was very much aware of it," Fortenberry said during a telephone interview from Washington. "It's being looked at now as a new initiative," he said, appearing in the wake of the newest outbreak of violence in May that left at least 256 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead. The Palestinians, who live in Gaza, were targeted in retaliation for terrorist attacks against Israel launched by rockets and incendiary balloons. Don Walton: Heineman could reshuffle Republican governor race The dynamics are in play that could pit Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts against his Republican predecessor with the possibility that former Republican President Donald Trump might suddenly come barging on stage opposing both of them. "This could help create a new foundation for a road to peace, a new foundation of trust," Fortenberry said. "Protection for Israelis, possibilities for Palestinians," he said. During his dialogue with Blinken, the congressman said, he sensed that "they (the Biden administration) were eager for a new tool" in addressing the long and intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Asked to assess Democratic President Joe Biden's selection of Blinken, an experienced national security and foreign policy adviser, as secretary of state, Fortenberry said: "I think he's a very good pick." Now retired from Congress and no longer the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, Lowey said "I'm counting on (Fortenberry) to provide oversight" over the legislation that was named in her honor. Heineman prepares for possible gubernatorial bid Dave Heineman resigned from Charles Herbsters Conklin Company board, clearing the path for possible entry into the 2022 gubernatorial race Fortenberry said the proposal, which may have grown from seeds planted 40 years ago, was named for Lowey because "she wanted to leave a marker" and she deserved this one. Four decades ago, Fortenberry said, he was in the Sinai desert as part of a 1979 student exchange program where he encountered a spray-painted message on a twisted pile of concrete and rubble that said: "Here was the war; here is the peace." And he has always remembered that moment. Egypt and Israel negotiated a peace agreement in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter hosted Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat for meetings at Camp David; the agreement was formally ratified at the White House in 1979. Working to help create and sustain peaceful Israeli-Palestinian relationships may be "far away from Nebraska," Fortenberry said, "but it is ultimately about keeping everyone safe, and that's the objective here." Don Walton: Lively legislative session ends with redistricting ahead Redistricting may open wounds in September a few months before the 2022 Legislature convenes in January. Lowey helped "clear the way for this," he said. "Creating conditions for stability and healthy nationalism" in the Mideast is vital, Fortenberry said, rather than accepting the deadly pattern of continuing to "settle scores" in what has long been a dangerous tinderbox. The new initiative is attracting considerable national attention now. "The Biden administration was lucky in many ways to come into office with this powerful bipartisan tool ready to go from day one," John Lyndon, executive director of the Alliance for Middle East Peace, has said. "It's a way for the Biden administration to set something up that could be legacy-defining on this issue." Tiger in the Sea: The Ditching of Tiger 923 and the Desperate Struggle for Survival by Eric Lindner, Lyons Press, 350 pages, $26.95. Seldom does a books content match the hype of a cover designed to attract the attention of potential buyers. However, in the case of Tiger in the Sea by Eric Lindner, the abject terror of a passenger planes night-time plunge into the frigid North Atlantic not far from the Titanics watery grave is mirrored by the prose within. The striking cover illustrates the hopelessness of the situation. In 1962, flight Tiger 923, a Lockheed four-propeller Super Constellation aircraft with 76 persons on board crashed into stormy seas 500 miles off the coast of Ireland. Miraculously, 48 people survived despite having to cling to a capsized raft meant to accommodate only 20 while resisting the battering by 30-foot-high waves. The book, which is meticulously documented by author Lindner from official records, memoirs and personal interviews with remaining survivors, describes the events leading to the crash, the massive rescue efforts and the subsequent investigation of the causes. Lindners efforts were hampered by the governments desire to conceal safety concerns of Flying Tiger Lines, a civilian subcontractor hired to fly military personnel. His brother, Kushal Khan, said he worked as a translator for the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan and has been in the country for 13 years, and notices the difference in everyday life. In Afghanistan, he said, families cannot sit in a park together and converse with others, because women need a men to escort them in public. Education is different, too, as only rich families can afford to send their children to primary school. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} And the Fourth of July spirit has rubbed off on Parsalay Khan this holiday. "Even if you're from a different background, you're celebrating with Americans," he said. Kent Kuhr, owner of Grandpa's Kettle Corn, makes kettle corn with his family at events, including the Uncle Sam Jam for the past several years. He said the event was a good chance for area residents to come out and celebrate together. "I enjoy the interaction with people," he said. "That's why I like to do it." Being able to sell at the event and others like it has been important for the business this summer, Kuhr said, but last year was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the usually busy summer season. Biden wanted all Americans to celebrate, too, after enduring 16 months of disruption in the pandemic and more than 605,000 deaths. The White House encouraged gatherings and fireworks displays all around the country to mark as though ripped from a Hollywood script the nations independence from the virus. And there was much to cheer: Cases and deaths from COVID-19 were at or near record lows since the outbreak began, thanks to the robust U.S. vaccination program. Businesses and restaurants were open, hiring was picking up and travel was getting closer to pre-pandemic levels. However, Bidens optimism was measured for good reason. The vaccination goal he had set with great fanfare for July Fourth 70% of the adult population vaccinated fell short at 67%, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More concerning to officials was the gap between heavily vaccinated communities where the virus was dying out and lesser-vaccinated ones where a more infectious variant of the virus was already taking hold. More than 200 Americans still die each day from COVID-19, and tens of millions have chosen not to get the lifesaving vaccines. As the long and deadly conflict between Israelis and Palestinians heats up once again, a freshly designed peace and development initiative with Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's fingerprints all over it begins to take effect. The Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, named in honor of former Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey of New York, was enacted by Congress last December. It will provide $250 million over five years to expand "people to people" Israeli and Palestinian grassroots programs that generate peace and reconciliation while also helping bolster Palestinian economic development. "Congressman Fortenberry and I certainly don't share the same political philosophy," Lowey said in a telephone interview from New York, "but he really has been key in establishing this program. "He has really shown leadership on this," she said. "I have always been grateful for friends like Jeff Fortenberry." As the new initiative begins to be implemented, the 1st District Republican congressman from Lincoln has been in direct contact with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the new program. "He assured me he was very much aware of it," Fortenberry said during a telephone interview from Washington. 1871: An excursion party of 60 farmers and mechanics from Indiana was visiting Nebraska. 1881: The city of Lincoln had spent $5,000 on street improvements in three months. 1891: Salt Creek flooded the lowlands west of Lincoln. 1901: J.H. Mickey of Osceola gave $6,000 to Nebraska Wesleyan University to help pay off the college's debt. 1911: A heat wave struck the state. The U.S. Weather Bureau thermometer registered 110.2 degrees. Lincoln residents were urged not to water lawns. 1921: The manager of the industrial bureau of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce said flood conditions in north and east Omaha were caused by a delay in building protective embankments. About 1,000 acres were flooded in that vicinity annually. 1931: Lincoln had the coolest July 4 recorded in many years. The day's high reading was 72 degrees, with the mercury dropping nine marks in the following hour. 1941: Authorities in Nance, Merrick, Hamilton and Jefferson counties were investigating a bootleg liquor ring. The problem came to light with the discovery of a wrecked car north of Central City. The car was loaded with liquor bearing federal stamps but no state stamps. A national panic mostly from conservatives over critical race theory erupting perhaps in a state legislature, university or school board meeting near you triggers spirited counterpunches from its left-progressive defenders. But are they defending CRT, I have to ask, or merely attacking its opponents? Im talking about myself, among others. Since the mid-1990s I occasionally have discussed and debated its pluses and minuses with lawyers, professors who know what CRT really is. Before it became a straw man for conservatives, activists, pundits and politicians to knock down, it was a pretty narrow field of intellectual study for law school students and professionals. But in the wake of the social justice movements kicked up by George Floyds murder, it has provided something to the political right that their efforts to demonize President Joe Biden have not: A vague yet menacing issue that they can use to scare white folks in particular into voting Republican and, they hope, help the Grand Old Party retake control of Congress. This is the Tea Party to the 10th power, Donald Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon told Politico in an interview. And a lot of these people arent Trump voters. As the last vestiges of Nebraskas coronavirus emergency were wiped away this week, Gov. Pete Ricketts struck an optimistic tone. "Nebraska did a great job with this pandemic," he said at the press conference announcing the end of the emergency declaration. "Our health care workers did a great job." Hes right that Nebraska fared relatively well when compared to other states not to mention that the states health care workers indeed rose to the occasion but taking down the COVID-19 dashboard might be a premature celebration, particularly in light of more contagious variant cases on the rise and abysmal vaccination numbers in many rural counties in the state. Thats not to say mask mandates or gathering restrictions are the proper courses of action right now, especially given the low case counts. But the thought of having children in school with no COVID-19 vaccination requirements (consider the other mandatory shots) or mask rules, as Ricketts said Monday, may be a premature victory lap. Though theres been no talk yet of restricting local control, as other states such as Iowa have done, such a move would needlessly slow the responses at the ground level to mitigate virus outbreaks. In 2018, Republicans ran for Assembly seats in 69 out of 99 Wisconsin districts, allowing Democrats to run unopposed almost one-third of the time. Two years later in 2020, Republicans ran in 92 districts, leaving a mere seven Democrats running unopposed. Thats part of the Republicans plan to retain control in Wisconsin, a perennially purple state. To break Democrats streak of winning statewide races, the GOP wants to win locally to generate momentum on a statewide scale. Why are we letting people run unopposed? U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said at a Republican event in Kenosha on June 19. We want Republicans everywhere on the ballot. He said that the Republican Party establishment has been ignoring grassroots for too long, and thats been a factor in why theyve been losing consistently at a statewide level. If youve ever thought about running for office, do so now, Johnson said. Run for school board. Dont let them teach Critical Race Theory ... We can take back control of our whole government. Ken Brown, a Racine County Republican and business owner, says that the impact of simply having a Republican on the ballot in a local race can be immeasurable in voters minds. For one, having a Republican running for office go door-knocking in a customarily left-leaning neighborhood could open up conversations on streets where conservative voices didnt exist or werent being heard previously. Brown pointed to the campaign of Will Leverson, a young Republican who challenged state Rep. Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, with a door knocking-intensive campaign in 2020 after Neubauer was elected uncontested in 2018. Neubauers district, Brown said, is a district GOP oftentimes dont even try to compete in, but Leverson still managed to get 30% of the vote in a city that is probably even more Democratic leaning than that. A Republican hasnt won the district since the current maps went into effect in fall 2012. In the last 11 statewide Wisconsin votes with both a Democrat and Republican on the ballot, Democrats have won 10 of them; now-Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorns 2019 election victory over Racines Lisa Neubauer has been the only win for Wisconsin consecutives since Donald Trump took more votes than Hillary Clinton in November 2016. Similarly, Republicans domination of the Legislature has been weakening, but only slightly. They held 64 Assembly seats after the 2018 elections but now only have 61, while they expanded their control of the Senate from 18 seats out of 33 to 21 out of 33 after November 2020s elections. Johnson last month conceded that high turnout races tend to swing left but conservatives have a better shot when fewer people vote. If they (Democrats) were energized and we (Republicans) were energized, we were going to lose, Johnson said. That fact and perspective have been used as fuel for the criticisms of Republican moves nationwide to tighten voting rules. The majority of elected conservatives pushing for the changes to election law say they arent contesting the 2020 presidential election result as Trump wants them to do only that they are, former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch put it during a speech in Kenosha last month, trying to make it harder to cheat. Focus on executive, not legislative, branch The GOP already has a majority in both houses of the state Legislature. But even if all 99 Assembly seats and 17 of the Senate seats are up for grabs in 2022, the focus of Wisconsins Republican establishment is getting Evers out of office. Doing so would almost certainly give the GOP control of both the state Legislature and the executive branch and with it, eliminate Democrats veto power. At the moment, perhaps the most important power Evers holds is that he can veto the election maps Republicans are drawing that will likely define the makeup of the state Legislature from until 2032. Johnson credited Kleefisch, who was Scott Walkers No. 2 for eight years in the governors office, specifically for being the one to increase Republicans participation in Assembly contests. +2 Watch Now: Kleefisch all but confirms a run for governor at Lincoln Day Dinner in Kenosha Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch on Saturday night all but confirmed that she will be running to unseat Democratic incumbent Tony Evers as Wisconsins governor next year. During that June 19 rally at a Lincoln Day Dinner at The Italian American Club Johnson said that Kleefisch got on the phone and found some excellent candidates. So instead of 69 Assembly Republican candidates we had 92. Thats the kind of grassroots electrification Republicans are looking for. Many conservatives are betting on Kleefisch to be the one to unseat Evers. A straw poll taken at the Annual Republican Party of Wisconsin Convention by Wisconsin Young Republicans published last week saw Kleefisch take 80% of the support among five likely 2022 Republican candidates. She has been focused on grassroots work since she founded the 1848 Project last year. The best tonic for a lost election is the next election won, Kleefisch said during her Lincoln Day Dinner speech. We are going to make Tony Evers a one-term governor. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. See videos and photos from the scenes of reported shootings at the Pilot Travel Center next to Interstate 94 and the Mobil gas station at 1061 Growing up in Racine, I remember the slogan Racine, A Great Place To Live, Work And Play. Our lakefront is one of our greatest assets and our beaches are world class. Yet far too often, tragedy has struck when youth are lost to drowning. My deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones of the three youth who recently lost their lives to drowning. We mourn as a community, and we feel that loss. One death is too many, let alone three within a week. That is why we began looking for solutions immediately after. My team and I have been working closely with City of Racine officials on ways we can make our beaches safer for all to enjoy. From better signage to more lifeguards, we are looking at all options. The Racine County Dive Team recently conducted a water safety program at North Beach and the Racine Family YMCA, operator of the SC Johnson Community Aquatic Center, is offering Learn to Swim programming, which is supported by the USA Swimming Foundation. The next session starts on July 5, and another session will be held in August. In addition, Racine County is making almost 1,000 free passes to the SC Johnson Community Aquatic Center available to encourage youth and families to swim in a safe and family-friendly environment. 1. Yes. Its not a huge increase; it would help the city tackle much-needed roadwork. 2. Yes. It would be acceptable, as long as the city considers possible exemptions. 3. No. It would disproportionately impact low-income utility customers. Not a good idea. 4. No. Not all utility customers drive on the roads, so it would be a regressive tax. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing the citys overall road program plans. Vote View Results Fourth of July in Kearney isnt focused on the patriotic pomp of parades, flags and picnics. Its all about fireworks. Born and raised in Cleveland, the only fireworks I grew up with were the kind cities set off at night. Once in a while, somebody whod traveled out of state came out with sparklers or a Roman candle, and we lit them and enjoyed them for their brief life, but then they were done. They were quiet, too. Mondays editorial page in the Omaha World-Herald had a sobering reminder of the true expense of fireworks. Not just the hundreds of dollars some people fork over for these toys, but the noise and aggravation. The World-Herald said there were 1,800 complaints in Omaha last year about fireworks, and about 60 fireworks-related injuries. Im not alone, obviously, but everyone is too timid to try to do anything about it. I also am curious about the parked semis selling fireworks this time of year, with huge 75% off splashed across the sides. If their wares are 75% off the day the trailers open, are they really 75% off? Seventy-five percent off what? Psychotherapist and artist Emily Garrett has moved her counseling business to and opened an art gallery in 2410 State Road in the Village Shopping Center in La Crosse. She moved her Transformations Today LLC counseling business from a downtown office building, and opened her new Jarrett Gallery, effective June 22. Its the first time Jarrett has operated an art gallery. She said last week she will continue to sell some of her art at shows and markets, such as the Sunday farmers market in the Crossing Meadows Shopping Center in Onalaska. Garrett Gallery features fine art, handcrafted jewelry and photography. Most of the art is created by Jarrett, and the rest is created by other members of her family. Many of Jarretts photos are portraits of people and pictures of flowers. The gallery also has a design-your-own-custom-jewelry table. We thought it would be fun to have a table where people can choose their own jewelry designs, Jarrett said. We help them put it together, if they need help doing that. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Its also open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays when Jarrett isnt selling her artwork at shows or markets. Soon after attending Luther College, she settled in West Salem. She now lives in La Crosse. Luangpraseuth started working at the Dim Sum Tea Shop at 221 Pearl St. in 2017, and bought that business in May 2018. On April 1, she bought the assets of Global Grounds Coffee at 1808 State St. from owner and general manager Alina Piotrowski, and merged the two businesses at the latter location under the name Global Grounds Coffee & Tea. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Piotrowski remains general manager, but is training Amanda Muller to take her place when she leaves the business in August to move to California. Global Grounds has nine employees. Before the acquisition and merger, both businesses were having a difficult time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic really hit small businesses hard and in order to keep going, we had to think creatively, Luangpraseuth said. Two things really prompted me to merge the two businesses together. The first was that I wanted to move out of the downtown area due to it being not as safe. One of my favorite customers (Anthony Fimple) was senselessly murdered next door to my shop while working, she said. It affected me greatly. The shop received a heads up from Bidens staff on Monday that it was a possibility he would stop in, with some of his staffers stopping in as customers to scope the place out. But the team didnt know for sure until just an hour before. To pull off a visit like this, Peterslie said, the ice cream and sweet shop was told that staff or anyone inside the building had to be scanned in by security and couldnt leave until the visit was over. Other spectators could be outside, and Biden visited with some of them on his way in. Staffers told The Pearl team details as specific as which doors would be used and where people would stand. We just sat back and took it all in because it was definitely there was a lot going on, she said. One Pearl employee celebrated her first day on the job with a visit from the president, while another longtime employee, Helen Hale, was the one who served him, as well as Evers, Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Rep. Ron Kind who all got scoops of their own on Biden. It was really, really special, I think, Peterslie said. It was nice for him to come to a local business and take the time and all of the work I know that goes into being able to do that and to visit us. All of this was in conjunction with failed efforts by trade negotiators to resolve a decades long U.S.-Canadian dispute regarding Canadas tariffs on U.S. dairy products. While the war of words roared away, no one seemed to point to the fact that Canadian-owned U.S. lumber mills would be counted among the big winners in the Make America Great Again trade skirmish. But thats exactly what happened. When the COVID pandemic hit and trillions of dollars of federal stimulus funds began making their way into the bank of accounts of hard-hit (and not-so-hard-hit) American consumers, the options for spending money were rather limited. With millions working at home for the first time ever, countless families decided this would be a good time to add a deck, another room, or move up to a new home. Demand for building materials shot skyward as did prices for lumber, steel, and copper. Meanwhile, domestic lumber producers whether U.S. or Canadian owned banked substantial profits. In a survey of the top 10 U.S.-based 2020 lumber producers, three were Canadian owned, and their combined volume accounted for more than 30 percent of the total Big 10 production. Bipartisanship is the broccoli of politics. Everyone knows its good for us, but few of us love it. When I was elected to Congress in 2010 I became a member of the new House majority, facing a Democratic majority in the Senate and the Obama administration in the executive branch. The only way to pass legislation was through bipartisanship. In the summer of 2011, Republicans who had been elected in the tea party wave were sorely challenged when it became necessary to raise the ceiling on the national debt. The very idea of countenancing, let alone authorizing, an even more massive burden on American taxpayers, and on successive generations without a vote to weigh in on this depredation against them, was repugnant. Many of us, including me, had inveighed vehemently in the public record against raising the debt ceiling, and even vowed (ignorance is bliss!) to vote against so doing. But the heady days of campaigning against the leftward juggernaut of the first two Obama years were long over, and, as the grayer (no wonder!) heads advised us, we were now obligated to govern. Imagine that a developer has been lobbying your local town board to approve a controversial development. You file a record request asking for all emails between that developer and the boards three members. None of them have official government email accounts, so they search their personal emails. Two members each turn over more than 15 emails. The third says she never sent nor received any emails from the developer. Do you believe her? What can you do about it if you dont? Shockingly, in Wisconsin its perfectly legal for government officials to use their personal emails to do government work. Even though a government entity may have no ability to access personal accounts and even though its ridiculously easy to use personal emails to hide conversations from the public, these practices are still allowed. Yes, as anybody familiar with the Open Records Law knows, personal email accounts are still subject to the law. Government officials are required to search through personal email accounts and produce any emails related to government work that are responsive to a record request. But the ability of officials to use their personal email accounts is an opportunity for mischief. In a society that values transparency and public oversight, it should be unacceptable. When the board of Gundersen Health System made the far-sighted decision 13 years ago to begin investing in greener energy and operations, it was a bet on the future of our three-state region. Today, were a healthier region because those investments have paid off. And Gundersen has shown the value of doing good while doing well. As with any investment, theres risk. Gundersen has invested about $40 million in its Envision environmental program. The La Crosse-based health-care center became the first nationally to become energy independent in 2014. And last month, the dozen or so investments have paid off. Gundersen says it has reduced environmental emissions and use of fossil fuel while producing a 54% improvement in operating margins. Gundersen has won acclaim, awards and admiration nationwide for its environmental initiatives, and whether youre a patient or a business partner, you can be thankful that these nontraditional investments have resulted in a healthier community. How else can you explain a health-care center in the Upper Midwest becoming a nation leader by harnessing solar power, wind energy, biomass, geothermal and biogas? While I knew next to nothing about fraktur art, I knew it seemed familiar. Between the extraordinary calligraphy and the eye-catching images, the artwork scattered around Lancaster County just has something about it that makes it memorable. As a summer intern from out of town, I didnt know much about fraktur I didnt even know its name so when I got the chance to take a Fraktur Imagery class at the PA Guild of Craftsmen, I couldnt pass it up. Not knowing anything about fraktur made the course that much more enticing. If I was going to be in Lancaster County, I figured I better learn some of the things that make it special, including the diverse, colorful and whimsical folk art of the Pennsylvania Dutch. As the Saturday morning class began, I settled at a table with seven other students as the instructor, Emily Smucker-Beidler, began talking about the basics of fraktur. In Latin, fraktur means broken. In our case, fraktur translates to fractured letters. Its a purely American folk art featuring old English and Gothic lettering and images. In frakturs heyday (1740-1850), the artists relied more on visual memory, which explains the evolution of frakturs calligraphy. In some of the examples, the alphabet was so extreme it became unreadable to the modern eye. This class focused more on the images of fraktur, rather than the calligraphy. (However, Smucker-Beidler is teaching a class at the Guild in July that focuses on the illuminated letter.) As we went through the presentation, Smucker-Beidler described the recipe for fraktur: a heart, a tulip and a bird. Those icons could be found in most fraktur images. Similar to the letters, artists would alter and embellish these designs over time. Whatever we created, Smucker-Beidler told us, no one would ever make again. Handmade things, like fraktur, are sacred and cant be duplicated. At the conclusion of the presentation, some students asked questions about the art, history and calligraphy of fraktur. I asked myself a question: How am I going to make this? Following the presentation, Smucker-Beidler provided us with a packet of fraktur designs that we could trace to create our images. Its OK to copy, Smucker-Beidler said. None of them will look alike when its all said and done. I decided to trace a teacher reward from Henry Johnson circa 1830. Historically, Mennonite educator Christopher Dock would give his students teacher rewards, little illustrations of a bird or a flower, as incentives. This was common practice for Pennsylvania Dutch educators. The creators of these types of fraktur art often went unidentified, as personal identity was not emphasized within the community. So came the time to trace. I used a pencil to copy half of the teacher reward onto tracing paper, and transferred the design over to Bristol board, a thicker paperboard better suited for watercolor paints. As I was tracing, I took note of the intense attention to detail fraktur artists used. It was interesting to see how art transforms over time: Today, fraktur artists focus on keeping things minimalistic and uncluttered, whereas the fraktur artists of the 1700s and 1800s were not afraid to fill up the page with designs and borders. Once we finished tracing our designs, we began to use watercolors to paint our images. Smucker-Beidler provided us with nine watercolors two shades each of yellow and green, a deep red, blue, indigo, brown and black to paint our images. Ready and in front of me were the painting palette, the traced image on Bristol board, scrap paper to test the colors and water. Now the question was, Where do I start? As Smucker-Beidler suggested, I started with the green paints. She suggested completing the leaves (almost always green in fraktur art) and deciding on colors for features such as the flowers and birds later in the process. I began painting some of the leaves with a dark green and others with a lighter shade of green. Then I began working on the color scheme for the tulips. When looking at the fraktur imagery Smucker-Beidler showed us, the colors blue, red and yellow seemed to be the most prevalent, so thats what I went with. I didnt have time to finish my piece, but I was able to complete the first paint layer of my piece. A couple other students did the same design as me, but after painting the images, our works appeared quite distinct. Smucker-Beidler said every different pocket where Fraktur is made has its own style. Its a beautiful reminder that just because something is not planned itself, doesnt mean its not beautiful, Smucker-Beidler said. My own piece of fraktur art now sits at my desk in the LNP | LancasterOnline newsroom reminding me of that sentiment. This story contains links that will take you to our archives site on newspapers.com. This content is free for LancasterOnline subscribers who are logged in. Click here for more information about how to subscribe. Excerpts and summaries of news stories from the former Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster New Era and Sunday News that focus on the events in the countys past that are noteworthy, newsworthy or just strange. On July 4, 1971, the community of Elizabethtown gathered together in a show of support and grief for three members of a family who perished in a house fire the previous weekend. The funeral for Frances Durgey, 34, and her daughters Jessica, 5, and Kathryn, 2, was held at St. Peters Catholic Church and was attended by more than 150 people, not only friends and family, but also members of the community who simply wanted to show their support. The night before, hundreds of people attended a viewing for the three victims of the fire, who shared a single casket. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental - an electrical cord overheated. Several firefighters attended the memorial service for the Durgeys. A neighbor who saw smoke coming from the house banged on the door, at which point Frances Durgey handed him her youngest child, 8-month-old Lucy, then ran back inside to gather her remaining four children. The two oldest, Theresa, 15, and Autumn, 13, were in the basement and escaped through a basement door. Frances Durgey never made it back out of the house, and perished along with Jessica and Kathryn. Frances Durgey's husband, Timothy Durgey, was at work at the time of the fire. In the headlines: Yeltsin leading in Russian vote First over-the-counter nicotine patch OK'd After 700 years, British will give back Scotland's symbolic Stone of Scone Check out the July 4, 1996, Intelligencer Journal here. In 1971, plans for what would become a sizable local landmark were revealed, as a 150-room resort was slated to be built along Eden Road. The Lancaster Treadway Motor Inn was planned to open in the spring of the following year, in time for tourist season. Targeted to business travelers and conventions as well as tourists, the hotel was to feature a mix of standard rooms, specialty suites and executive lodgings, with four food and drink venues ranging from casual to formal. The Treadway ultimately opened in June 1972, with a New Orleans theme most visible in its three-story indoor courtyard. It also featured an indoor pool with a sliding glass roof. The hotel expanded many times over the years, and is now known as the Eden Resort & Suites. In the headlines: Hijackers 'stalled' in Argentina Big push is on to build a better engine Pioneer House helps GIs in Vietnam kick heroin habit Check out the July 4, 1971, Sunday News here. In the wake of a series of deadly fires in the summer of 1946, the Lancaster city fire department was undergoing a thorough self-assessment, during which everything from staffing levels to equipment functionality was being checked and evaluated. Outside experts who were assisting with the investigation included representatives of the Associated Fire Underwriters, an organization of engineers representing insurance companies. The most visible and spectacular part of that process was likely the testing of the department's pumper trucks, which were driven to the Conestoga one by one, where they were loaded up with water which was then blasted out over the river in massive sprays. Engineers were testing the trucks for capacity and volume of spray. Though results of the equipment test were pending, Robert Goodhue, the chief engineer of the association, said that the Lancaster department was "badly undermanned," and a previous report from the organization identified numerous problems with the department. In the headlines: Philippine republic born today; aid to nation pledged by Truman Hobbs bill is signed despite union protest 320,000 Japanese casualties caused by two A-bombs Check out the July 4, 1946, Intelligencer Journal here. The Genius of Liberty, atop a granite pedestal overlooking Penn Square, gazes to the north with a drawn sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. She is crowned with five stars that are evenly spaced out around a twisted-rope crown, and stands 43 feet high. She has maintained her silent watch over Penn Square, protected by four other statues representing branches of United States military service, for 147 years. July 4 this year marks the 147th anniversary of the Soldiers and Sailors Monuments dedication ceremony; therefore, we thought this would be the perfect time to dig up some history from the LNP|LancasterOnline archives about the monument. About the monument The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was commissioned in 1872, and later dedicated on July 4, 1874, honoring the fallen Lancastrians who fought during the Civil War. Inscribed on the monument are the words Erected by the people of Lancaster County, to the memory of their fellow citizens who fell in defence of the union, in the War of the Rebellion. 1861 1865. The four statues surrounding "The Genius of Liberty," each six feet tall, represent the four branches of the armed services: army (infantry), navy, cavalry and artillery. Legend holds that The Genius of Liberty is facing north because she has turned her back toward the defeated confederacy. Eight battle names are inscribed around the monument, including Gettysburg, Malvern Hill, Vicksburg, Antietam, Chickamauga, Chaplin Hills, Wilderness and Petersburg. At the monuments dedication, veterans joined the crowd of at least a couple thousand people, and girls from the Mount Joy Soldiers Orphan Home sang the solemn song, My Fathers Grave, in honor of the occasion. In Anna Lyles 1892 book, Brief History of Lancaster County, Lyle depicts the monuments ceremony by saying, In compliance with the demand of public sentiment [the monument] was placed in central square, in the city. This beautiful granite structure surrounded with four emblematic statues and capped with a figure of the Goddess [Genius] of Liberty was unveiled with imposing ceremonies in the presence of a great multitude, on the 4th of July, 1874. On the monument's 100th birthday in 1974, young songsters performed several pieces mirroring the performance of the Mount Joy Veterans Orphan School to celebrate. Over the years, plaques have been added to the base of the monument honoring the fallen from other wars as well. On Veterans Day in 1999, two plaques were added to honor those who served during World War II and the Korean War. These plaques act as a reminder of the painful costs of war. There are also plaques that honor those who served in World War I, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and a plaque that specifically honors African Americans who have served. The monument's origins The monument was designed and carved by Lewis Haldy, a Lancaster Civil War veteran and local stonecutter. The monument is of gothic architectural style and the pillar and pedestal are made of fine-grained Rhode Island granite. Batterson, Canfield & Company of Hartford, reportedly the largest supplier of Civil War monuments in the U.S., manufactured the monument, and the construction of the monument cost $26,000. The monument's concept originated in 1867 from The Patriot Daughters of Lancaster, a ladies organization led by Rosina Hubley that supported soldiers. Under Hubleys leadership, the Patriot Daughters of Lancaster oversaw fundraising efforts. In December of 1867, they hosted a fundraiser in Fulton Hall, now Fulton Opera House, raising around $3,500. Additionally, after a long fight by the monumental association, they were able to utilize the money from fines collected from members of the militia for misdemeanors to construct the monument. After some initial debate as to where the monument should be located, it found its initial home where the original Lancaster County Courthouse stood from 1739-1859, which briefly served as the capital of the country when the Continental Congress held a one-day session on Sept. 27, 1777, during the American Revolution. The monument through the years According to Lyle 's book, the monument was placed in central square in response to public demand. In the 1950s, "The Genius of Liberty" and the four men defending her faced the threat of being relocated so as to diminish traffic congestion in Penn Square. Prof. Frederic S. Klein, retiree from the faculty of Franklin & Marshall College, along with the monumental association, fought a yearlong battle in 1970 to save the monument from being moved out of the square. Klein sent out volunteers with petitions, gathering 10,000 signatures representing the communitys desire for the monument to remain in Penn Square. The city council sought a compromise, resulting in the base of the monument being cut from 35 square feet to 17 square feet in order to improve traffic by moving the servicemen statues closer to the victorious lady. Through this alteration, iron railings were added, along with a 12-inch-high curb and an inclining wall of granite to form a compact base. The grass plot was removed along with the lanterns that were on each corner instead, light was integrated into the granite base. Until this alteration, the monument had remained practically unchanged. In 1973, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was placed on the National Register of Historical Places, being designated as a U.S. Shrine on May 11, 1973. Because of the designation, federal money can no longer be used to destroy the monument. Federal law protects structures or sites that are designated as U.S. Shrines from being dismantled or moved using federal funds; therefore, funds would need to be found elsewhere. The monument certainly deserves the designation. It truly shows the historical significance of the Lancaster community, Klein said in 1973 after obtaining the monuments designation as a U.S. shrine. Many small towns, villages and cities across the nation have also built similar soldiers and sailors monuments memorializing the Civil War. Similar major monuments can be found in Allentown, Easton and Towanda, for example. From John F. Kennedy campaigning in the square to Independence Day celebrations to car crashes, the monument, as city center, has experienced many noteworthy events. On Nov. 12, 1978, Donna J. Yale died when her car crashed into the base of the monument and exploded on impact. The impact destroyed the sailor figure which broke into six pieces. The sailor took a year to repair at a cost of over $25,000. The next time the monument was damaged was when Richard Lugos truck crashed into the monument March 24, 1985, cracking several concrete slabs. This damage was not repaired until a year later and cost about $20,000. See more photos of Penn Square here. Until one sunny day in early June, the Scribbler never had visited Cove Gap, the place where James Buchanan, Lancasters only and Pennsylvanias first president (1857-1861) opened his eyes for the first time and wailed in the shadow of Tuscarora Mountain. A passage through Cove Gap, Franklin County, led travelers into the wilderness when Buchanan was born in 1791, and the place remains in a relative wilderness today. Buchanan is an obscure president to many Americans; his birthplace is even more so. In 1783, Buchanans parents moved to Cove Gap, which Buchanan later described as a rugged but romantic spot. His father took a job working at a trading post called Stony Batter. The post served freight wagons arriving from the east and pack trains from the west. In 1786, the elder Buchanan purchased the place. Lancaster native Philip S. Klein described Cove Gap as it looked in 1962, the year his Buchanan biography was published: The modern pilgrim to this spot, a wild and gloomy gorge hemmed in on all but the eastern side by towering hills (is) now far removed from any center of commercial activity. But the Buchanans thrived in this busy, though isolated, place on the frontier. James Buchanan spent his first six years there, before the family moved to nearby Mercersburg. Surely he never wanted for anything a boy of that age could want. All those rocks to climb! Today, Buchanans birthplace is one of Pennsylvanias smallest state parks. Besides being hard to find and still a bit gloomy, the park offers little to a visitor except shady places along Buck Run to have a picnic among towering firs, healthy hemlocks and sturdy hardwoods. The main attraction is one of the strangest presidential memorials in America. Its a 31-foot-tall, 650-ton rock pyramid built in 1907. A wrought-iron fence keeps vandals from defacing the monument. Instead, shrubs and weeds sprout from dirt accumulated on the pyramids surface. Buchanans doting niece, Harriet Lane Johnston, financed this unusual memorial. It is doubtful that any other human being or the state itself would have created such a massive birthplace marker. Johnston also paid for the impressive Buchanan monument in Washingtons Meridian Hill Park. If she had not provided the money, that bronze sculpture might not have been built either. Lack of congressional enthusiasm delayed its erection until 1930. Buchanans birthplace is a quiet as well as obscure place. When Mr. and Mrs. Scribbler visited, the primary noisemakers were cicadas, bullfrogs in Buck Run and the occasional vehicle driving into the park and turning around upon finding the way in is the only way out. It was much noisier when Buchanan was growing up. The clearing resounded with the turmoil of stamping horses, drunken drovers, and cursing wagoners, Klein wrote. Buchanans mother disliked this melee, living in constant fear for the safety of her small children who wandered through the ceaseless confusion of horses, wagons, and scattered produce. A historical marker at the park makes a further claim that Buchanans mother tied a bell on him to prevent losing him among the rocks and brush of Tuscarora Mountain. Belling James Buchanan was a temporary fix. The future president escaped his provincial upbringing, eventually settling in Lancaster, from which he launched a political career that would end with his unlamented exit from the White House. n Jack Brubaker, retired from LNP | LancasterOnline staff, writes The Scribbler column every Sunday. He welcomes comments and contributions at scribblerlnp@gmail.com. The attorney for a man charged in the random shotgun-killing of a man in West Earl Township last August wants his client to undergo further psychiatric evaluation and treatment to see if he's competent, citing the mans delusional thoughts. Stephen Jones, 28, of Brecknock Township, is charged with shooting Steve R. Walker in the head as Walker sat in his car along Cats Back Road, about four miles south of Ephrata, around midnight last Aug. 9. According to authorities, Jones was driving a stolen pickup truck and somehow forced Walker off the road. Walker, 68, had ties to the area and was tending to matters related to his father. Theres been no indication the men knew each other. A psychiatrist evaluated Jones last September and again in March for about five hours total and looked at other information, including recordings of two phone calls between Jones and his grandmother in which he also seemed delusional, according to court documents filed by defense attorney Edwin Pfursich. The psychiatrist, Dr. Clarence Watson of Bala Cynwyd, wrote in his report that while Jones was competent in September, he recommended that Jones undergo inpatient psychiatric observation and treatment to assess his mental health because of unusual and pervasive delusional beliefs about his case. A judge has not yet ruled on the matter. For now, Jones is being held without bail at Lancaster County Prison. In the evaluation, Watson wrote that Jones told him UFOs were controlling the judge and police, that the rap artist Eminem was his father and Hitler his grandfather, and that he had a recently discovered twin brother who was in the same legal situation. Jones also said was he to be placed in the White House as the antichrist on his birthday and that the purpose of his legal case was to go through Hell to get to the White House and then rule the world. However, Jones also acknowledged that he could be wrong about his delusions, Watson wrote. Jones also said he started abusing methamphetamine in April 2020. Jones said drugs made him happy, noting hed long felt something was wrong with him, but he also acknowledged his drug use created a downward spiral in his life. A neighbor told LNP | LancasterOnline shortly after Jones' arrest last August that Jones had been using meth and that he tried, unsuccessfully, to help Jones. Roads were closed and residents were asked to use caution Saturday afternoon near Zooks Mill Covered Bridge in northern Lancaster County, where officers from multiple Lancaster County police departments blocked off the surrounding area while they engaged in a standoff with an armed man, according to a police news release. A Northern Lancaster County Regional police officer, who spoke near the scene shortly before 3 p.m., said the countys Special Emergency Response Team also responded. According to the Northern Lancaster County Regional police statement, around 11:40 a.m. that department was asked to assist West Earl police with a man believed to be armed and dangerous. The man, later identified as Patrick R. Moore, of the 200 block of Rose Hill Road, West Earl Township, had earlier been reported missing and possibly suicidal, police said. He had last been seen Friday. Officers located Moore in a wooded area near Log Cabin Road adjacent to Cocalico Creek in Warwick Township, according to the release. Police confirmed that he was armed with a pistol and repeatedly threatened to harm himself. About 2:40 p.m., a Manheim Township officer blocked traffic to the bridge at Kenneth Drive and Rose Hill Road. Northern Lancaster County Regional police blocked traffic near Log Cabin Road and Lehoy Forest Drive. A crisis negotiation team negotiated with Moore for nearly six hours before he turned himself in without incident, police said. Medical personnel assessed Moore at the scene before West Earl police took him into custody and transferred him to a hospital for medical care, according to the release. No criminal charges had been filed as of press time Saturday. For people and pets sensitive to loud noises, the summer months -- especially the weeks around July 4 -- are a dreaded time. And police are hearing about it. In 2020, the Lancaster Bureau of Police received more than 450 complaints from the public about fireworks. A year later, complaints are coming in again, with city police receiving 39 in the month of June alone. The problem is so bad that Lancaster city is again warning residents it has a no tolerance policy against illegal use of fireworks, Chief John Bey said. Pennsylvania saw fireworks-related injuries nearly double between 2019 and 2020, according to Allentown-based Burn Prevention Network. Fireworks injuries and deaths also increased nationally by 50% last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nationwide, there were 15,600 emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries last year, and 18 people died. Most of these injuries and deaths occurred within 30 days of July 4, according to the CPSC. Until a few years ago, it was illegal for Pennsylvanians to buy most fireworks, with retailers focusing on sales to out-of-state residents. When the law was changed in 2017, it included some restrictions on exactly where and when fireworks can be set off: Its illegal to ignite them within 150 feet of any structure or on any public or private property without permission from local authorities. This leaves very few places in the city where people could safely ignite fireworks. The law lays out penalties that local authorities, like Lancasters police bureau, can impose for violations: A person using consumer fireworks in violation of the provisions of this article commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100. Rising revenue For those who dread fireworks, the question is why did the state loosen its restrictions on them in recent years? Is it about the money? After all, it seems like every underused parking lot in the county features a tent or stand where all manner of pyrotechnics can be bought. Yes, the state imposes a hefty tax on the sale of fireworks 12%. But the revenue it produces for the entire state doesnt add up to much, even though the amount nearly doubled in the just last two years, according to the Department of Revenue. Sales taxes on fireworks brought in more than $14.4 million in the fiscal year that ended on June 3 a drop in the bucket given the states annual budget totals $40 billion. Just a small portion of that tax revenue trickles down to first responders, split between different emergency services grant programs and training efforts as stipulated under the 2017 law. Those taxes dont directly help cities like Lancaster, Mayor Danene Sorace said in a news release. None of that new revenue will come to cities like Lancaster, but residents have to deal with the noise and the risk of fire and injury that come with the nightly use of these fireworks, Sorace said. Bey and Sorace both support repealing the 2017 law to ban commercial fireworks usage and purchase in the state. The dangers that these fireworks present far outweigh any revenue the state gained from them, Bey said. Its really just putting our communities at risk. ... Its not worth it if some child is struck by one of those roman candles or someone loses a home or a whole city block burns down. Its just not worth it. Issue mainly confined to city The increase in firework complaints seems to be confined to Lancaster city, the countys most populated municipality. Police chiefs responsible for other parts of Lancaster County said they received steady numbers of firework complaints in the last few years. For example, East Hempfield Township Police Chief Stephen Skiles said his agency received the biggest increase in fireworks complaints in 2018, totaling 65. In 2020, the department had 53. So far in 2021, theyve had only 10. Elizabethtown Borough has only received three complaints so far in 2021, but Chief Ed Cunningham said he continues to emphasize safety when talking with the public about fireworks. He said residents should be mindful of how fireworks can harm their neighbors and pets. There are many in our community who have served in the military and who still carry with them the memories from their service, Cunningham said in an email. Fireworks are especially problematic for those members of our communities who are living with [post-traumatic stress disorder] and who are still sensitive to those loud explosions. Cunningham, who has four dogs, said most dogs are also sensitive to the loud, unexpected bangs and sulfuric smells from fireworks. His department also gets reports of runaway dogs each year during the popular firework months, as they try to get away and hide from the terrifying loud noises and horrible smell, he said. Back in the city, Chief Bey had this advice: Leave fireworks to the professionals. Enjoy the firework [shows] with your family and friends, and then call it a night. City residents with firework complaints are encouraged to call the police bureaus non-emergency number at 717-664-1180. It is appropriate that the Fourth of July falls nearly six months after the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It is also fitting that UFOs, dozens of which the U.S. government cannot explain, are in the news. The attempt by supporters of President Donald Trump to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election by disrupting the formal count of Electoral College ballots was a direct challenge to the democracy that we celebrate this weekend. The fact that many are convinced Trump was the victim of a stolen election is an indication of the power of denial, deceit and out-of-this-world conspiracy thinking. Even today, 60% of Republicans believe that President Joe Biden who received 7 million more votes than Trump and won the Electoral College by a 306-232 margin (the same number of electors as the former president obtained in 2016) did not win the election legitimately. The known and unknown We have learned a lot about the events leading up to the insurrection on Jan. 6. After the extended vote count in Pennsylvania confirmed Bidens election victory on Nov. 7, the "Stop the Steal" movement, which had formed prior to the election, organized numerous rallies. Connected to Trump political agitator Roger Stone, the movement included InfoWars leaders and members of the extremist groups Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and Three Percenters. After presidential electors cast their ballots in each state and the District of Columbia on Dec. 14, preparations for a Jan. 6 rally were well underway. On Dec. 19, via Twitter, Trump announced the protest. Soon after, followers of right-wing websites posted warnings about the protests potential for violence, which Trump predicted would be wild. In the meantime, the president placed loyalists in key positions at the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security. His attorneys filed more than 60 lawsuits in the states challenging the election returns. When those failed, Trump tried unsuccessfully to get the secretary of state in Georgia to change the vote count. There is much we dont know. How involved were Trump officials and allies, as well as members of Congress, in the planning of events intended to thwart congressional certification of electoral votes? With plentiful information from social media and intelligence sources, why were the FBI, Homeland Security and Capitol Police so ill-equipped to handle the insurrection, especially when Washington, D.C., was armed to the teeth months earlier during Black Lives Matter protests? What actions did President Trump, his administration and law enforcement agencies take or not take that might have affected the inadequate response to the Capitol uprising? Why did it take authorities three hours to send reinforcements to the Capitol once the assault began? How much assistance in breaching the Capitol did the insurrectionists have within the government, including Trump officials, police and members of Congress? How close did extremists come to preventing the official recognition of Biden as the next president? Were there plans to target, detain, harm or hold hostage certain leaders, including Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi? Establishing an independent bipartisan committee, modeled after the 9/11 commission, to investigate these and other questions is in the national interest. However, Senate Republicans filibustered the 1/6 commission proposal, which was supported by 35 House GOP members. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asserted that an investigative panel would uncover nothing new. More truthfully, McConnell also said a prolonged inquiry could damage Republican prospects for regaining control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections. In response, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will conduct its own investigation. Though the House Select Committee will have subpoena power, Trump-connected witnesses likely will refuse to cooperate, and Republicans will denounce the inquiry as a partisan witch hunt despite the fact that U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, agreed last week to sit on the select committee. In a statement released Thursday, Cheney said, Congress is obligated to conduct a full investigation of the most serious attack on our Capitol since 1814. That day saw the most sacred space in our Republic overrun by an angry and violent mob attempting to stop the counting of electoral votes and threatening the peaceful transfer of power. What happened Jan. 6, Cheney continued, can never happen again. Those who are responsible for the attack need to be held accountable and this select committee will fulfill that responsibility in a professional, expeditious and nonpartisan manner. GOP House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called Cheneys agreement to serve on the committee at Pelosis request unprecedented, but seemed to retreat Thursday from threats to strip committee assignments from any Republican who took part. Distorting reality Republican resistance to an independent commission is part of a larger strategy to distort the reality of what happened Jan. 6 and diminish its significance. At first characterizing the riot as merely a protest gone awry, Trump loyalists have gone to more absurd extremes. Having failed to prove the involvement of undercover antifa agents, the latest allegation coming from Fox News rager Tucker Carlson is that the FBI staged the event. With his talent for finding patterns in the news, it wont be long before Carlson tells us space aliens occupied the bodies of vote counters in Philadelphia. While we wait for more revelations, which may come from prosecutions of more than 500 alleged insurrectionists, Trump election-truthers pose immediate threats to democracy. According to federal authorities, extremists are taking seriously Trumps vague assertion that he will be reinstated in August. Those officials who stood up to Trump after the election are under constant threat online, physically and politically. Just ask Rep. Cheney, who was booted from her leadership position by the House Republican Caucus for voting in January to impeach Trump for inciting insurrection. Not only did nearly all GOP House members vote against impeachment, but 139 of them including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster County had chosen to overturn the results of the presidential election. Talk about cancel culture. Republican-led legislatures have enacted bills that not only suppress the vote but also subvert the election process. Next time around in states such as Georgia, partisans will be in charge of certifying election results. Conducted by scam artists, an audit is proceeding in Arizona, pursuing alleged watermarked and counterfeit ballots in order to reverse results that were recounted several times over and upheld by the courts. If Pennsylvania Republican legislative leaders have their way, this circus will be coming to Harrisburg. Myth of voter fraud On the surface, the Jan. 6 insurrection occurred because of a shared belief that the presidential election was stolen. In fact, systemic election fraud in Pennsylvania or any other state is virtually nil. In-person voter fraud is very rare. As for absentee ballots, a Washington Post analysis of three vote-by-mail states showed the chances of an illegal vote cast in 2016 and 2018 were .0025%. Election administration in the U.S. is far from perfect. However, the truth is that the 2020 elections were as securely, transparently and effectively administered as any in American history. The highest voter turnout in modern times was recorded and verified despite a pandemic, attempted cybercrime and political attacks on dedicated election officials and volunteers. Their efforts represented what election integrity really means. You dont hear winning Republican candidates in Pennsylvania complain about fraud in their elections. And, to be fair, courageous Republicans such as those who wrote a Michigan Senate oversight report last month, as well as self-serving ones like former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, have rejected claims of widespread election chicanery. The real reason five people died and 140 police officers were injured as a result of 1/6 is that one man couldnt handle defeat. Rather than deal with public rejection, Donald Trump decided to yell fraud. The conservative echo chamber repeated the narrative until it became true in the minds of many well-meaning people who wanted to see their candidate win. A recent Morning Consult poll showed that more Republicans blame Biden and congressional Democrats for 1/6 than blame Trump. Sadly, it appears that alternative realities are all Trump cultists can offer, whether it is the Big Lie, the nonexistent infiltration of critical race theory into elementary and secondary schools or the make-believe pronouncements of QAnon. No doubt, the extraterrestrials are reporting few signs of intelligent life on our planet to their masters. The way forward As we enjoy the American independence that was declared 245 years ago, we the people leaders and citizens, partisans and independents must resolve to do better. Until we can once again distinguish fact from fantasy in political life, more Jan. 6-like tragedies lie ahead. Without full accountability and consequences for those who were responsible for the Capitol insurrection, 1/6/21 is likely to serve as a license for losers. To celebrate democracy, we must stand up for it. E. Fletcher McClellan, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at Elizabethtown College. Twitter: @mcclelef. This weekend, we celebrate our nations assertion, in 1776, that we would no longer be subject to British monarchical tyranny. This year, early July also marks six months since the violent, but ultimately unsuccessful, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The experiment in self-governance that the Declaration of Independence initiated has been threatened numerous times in the past 245 years; today, it is threatened on multiple fronts. The declaration is often treated as the window dressing of the new nation. Though its words had real consequences, its effect is widely thought to have merely ended the relationship between the Colonies and the British state, while the U.S. Constitution is believed to have provided the foundation for what eventually would become American democracy. However, the Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen maintains that the declaration is much more than patriotic propaganda. In Our Declaration, Allens magnificent treatment of the theory behind the declaration, she argues that in form and substance, the declaration is a profoundly democratic document. It treats political equality as the bedrock of our system of government. Equality binds a community together and only as a community can we truly engage in self-governance. Self-governance, in turn, enables political liberty; we are not free, according to this view, unless we are collectively able to govern ourselves. Democracy, Allen writes, is a massive shared, even if acrimonious, conversation in which we figure out how to relate our prospects for happiness to those of others. Representative democracy? In recent years, such conversation seems to have become nearly impossible. There are many causes of this communication breakdown, including the proliferation of partisan news outlets that cater to particular segments of the political spectrum and reinforce, rather than challenge, preconceived notions; social media that enable, if not encourage, diatribes rather than dialogue; and the development of negative partisanship the attitude that the other party is not only misguided or wrong, but evil and dangerous. The lack of conversation across the partisan divide is a serious threat to our democracy. However, its not the only one. To a considerable extent, our political system is collapsing under the weight of outdated institutions and practices. There are too many of these to discuss at any length, but they include the two-party system, rooted in an 18th-century electoral system that most modern democracies have abandoned; geographical representation, rather than representation of policy preferences, aggregated in political parties; and a range of tactics, like gerrymandering and the filibuster, that are designed to distort political power. The result is not only a political system that is far less responsive to the public than it should be but one that exaggerates the clout of one party. The U.S. Senate, for example, is evenly divided between the two major parties, even though the Democratic half represents nearly 42 million more people than the Republican half. A similar distortion exists in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures as well, where the partisan preferences of rural voters result in a disproportionate number of Republican seats. Importantly, this primacy of the rural minority creates incentives for the parties to behave very differently. Because of the geographical bias in favor of rural representation, Republicans can win a majority of seats, whether in Congress or state legislatures, without winning a majority of votes. In Pennsylvania state House races in 2018, for instance, Republicans won 55% of the seats despite the fact that they only won 46% of the statewide popular vote. That, in turn, means they can be less concerned with courting swing voters and can focus exclusively on satisfying their base of supporters. Democrats, on the other hand, must reach into exurban and rural districts, or states like West Virginia and Montana, if they have any hope of winning a majority. The result is a moderating influence, however slight some may find it, on the party. Given the voter registration disadvantage they face nationally and in most swing states, Republican elected officials also have a strong incentive to use their disproportionate power to maintain their hold on that power. Gerrymandering is the most obvious example of this but it may not be the most consequential. Election law changes Changes to election laws that are sweeping through Republican-controlled states will have a profound impact in the years to come. Not only will they make it harder to register and vote, they will make it easier for legislatures to interfere with the administration of elections and to contest and potentially overturn election results they dont like. (And, as the U.S. Supreme Court demonstrated in its ruling Thursday that further eviscerated the Voting Rights Act, the courts arent likely to serve as a corrective force.) The sheer number and reach of these laws 28 of them, passed in 17 states between Jan. 1 and June 21 of this year, according to the Brennan Center for Justice is a bit puzzling. After all, the legislators and governors who have enacted them were elected under the system they now claim is broken. And, as in Pennsylvania, theyre now seeking to curtail ways of voting that Republicans have championed in the past. Voting by mail, for instance, was long thought to benefit Republicans because it made voting easier for the elderly and those living in rural areas. So why the breathless rush to change the system? Ostensibly, its to curtail election fraud, but that is a canard. Every systematic analysis of the prevalence of voter fraud has found that it is exceedingly rare and virtually never impacts the outcome of an election. Instead, Republican efforts to alter voting laws appear designed to placate the Republican voters who falsely believe that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. That belief was stoked by the former president and tacitly encouraged by the vast majority of Republican elected officials. But it is patently untrue. The claims of the Stop the Steal crowd have been debunked at every turn, yet they persist. Any Republican elected official, including a staunch conservative like U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, who objects to the lies is banished. On truth and reality Unfortunately, the denial of reality among some in the Republican base extends beyond the 2020 election. There is denial that the insurrection of Jan. 6 was executed by supporters of President Trump (though there is apparently confusion about whether to blame antifa, the FBI or tourists); denial that COVID-19 is unusually deadly, that masks work to prevent its spread and that the vaccines are safe and effective; denial of the existential threat posed by climate change; a newfound, or perhaps just newly expressed, denial of the long history of racism in the United States and its legacy that continues to this day; and even denial that expert knowledge is useful in understanding and solving societal problems. Some of this denialism is rooted in conspiratorial thinking. Just how widespread such thinking is among the Republican base can be found in a recent poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core. The poll found that roughly 25% of Republicans agreed with all three tenets of QAnon offered in the survey and another 55% failed to fully reject those tenets. A representative democracy with only two parties must be designed in such a way as to represent those parties fairly and accurately, or faith in the systems responsiveness will erode. Both of those parties must also agree not to undermine norms that bolster democracy, including the acceptance of election results when ones party loses. And while disagreements inevitably arise among people with different perspectives, partisans on both sides must be committed to the truth and to objective ways of arriving at it. Otherwise, the promise of self-government contained in the Declaration of Independence will never be fulfilled. Stephen K. Medvic is the Honorable and Mrs. John C. Kunkel Professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College. Twitter: @StephenMedvic. THE ISSUE The Caucus, an LNP Media Group watchdog publication, and Spotlight PA, a nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer, are investigating how state lawmakers spend the millions in taxpayer dollars they allot themselves every year. According to an article published in last weeks Sunday LNP | LancasterOnline, The news organizations, through a series of public records requests, sought information about every legislative expense, over four years, excluding salaries and benefits. ... The spending is spread across multiple accounts, making it difficult to build a true picture of how much it costs just to maintain the day-to-day operations of a legislature that showers its elected members with everything from free meals to cars, all with little to no accountability. This vexing fact was reported last Sunday: Pennsylvanias House and Senate spent $17 million between 2017 and 2020 on food, mileage, lodging, rented and leased cars, tolls, parking and gas, according to a first-of-its kind analysis by The Caucus and Spotlight PA of nearly 400,000 transactions. That sum doesnt include lawmakers generous benefits or salaries which exceeded $90,000 in 2020 for rank-and-file lawmakers; those in leadership positions make tens of thousands of dollars more. As journalists Brad Bumsted, Mike Wereschagin and Sam Janesch of The Caucus, and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, reported, that $17 million was shelled out merely to underwrite the ability of elected members and staff to come to work, eat, stay there and return to their homes. In many cases, receipts werent even required. Among the largest expenses, according to their analysis, was mileage, with legislators and their staff receiving more than $6.5 million in reimbursements during the four years examined by the news organizations. That was on top of $1.2 million for leasing and maintaining a separate fleet of vehicles that roughly a quarter of the states 253 legislators chose to use instead of driving their own. And it was separate from the $1 million the Legislature spent on trains, planes, rental cars, car-sharing services, parking, tolls and gas. As the journalists wrote: Mileage reimbursements are a standard business practice, but less common is paying the majority of the 253-member-strong Legislature just to commute. Do you get paid to commute to your job? Were guessing the answer is no. Yet were all paying for state lawmakers to commute to theirs. Priorities and fine print The cost might be worth it if our full-time Legislature which isnt slated to reconvene until Sept. 20 (the Senate) and Sept. 27 (the House) was a model of legislative efficiency, responsive to the pressing needs of Pennsylvania citizens. But have we seen property tax reform that would relieve the financial burden on senior citizens on fixed incomes? We have not. How about charter school reform that might ease the fiscal burden on public schools? Nope. Or much-needed redistricting reform, or widely popular gun safety measures, or legislation that might address climate change? Nope, nope and nope. Instead, Republican lawmakers have spent the past couple of months on partisan legislation they knew that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf would veto. They chose to focus on culture-war issues like vaccine passports, as well as a mostly unnecessary overhaul of state voting laws, and the potential creation of an election audit bureau that they said would rebuild voter trust in elections trust theyve damaged with baseless claims about the 2020 presidential election. We did get a state budget on time, which is the basic obligation of a legislature. But were guessing that most lawmakers have only vague ideas about whats in the nearly $40 billion budget. After being produced by GOP leaders, it passed both chambers of the Legislature with dizzying speed, as lawmakers eyed the exits and the prospect of a lengthy summer vacation. It is a basic requirement of adulthood that we read the fine print, that we understand what we agree to, that we dont rush big decisions. Especially decisions committing the state to spending nearly $40 billion. The state budget Schools, particularly underfunded ones, got a major boost in the budget, which is great news. What we cannot understand is why lawmakers socked away so much federal coronavirus relief money about $5 billion, according to The Associated Press instead of spending it to help working- and middle-class families and small business owners. To prevent future tax increases the end-all and be-all of GOP priorities $2.5 billion went into the states rainy day fund, the AP reported. And now were supposed to marvel at the fiscal responsibility of lawmakers the same folks who spend millions in taxpayer money, with shockingly little accountability, just to commute to their jobs. Missing even the low bar Restaurants and bars hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, could have used some of that American Rescue Plan money. But lawmakers couldnt even manage to pass legislation that would have allowed restaurants and bars to continue selling to-go cocktails, as they could during the states pandemic emergency. As Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick wrote last week, the state House passed legislation that would have continued to-go cocktail sales, and Wolf said he would sign it. But the Senate poisoned the legislation by stirring in a provision that would also allow thousands of grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers to sell cans of premixed hard alcohol drinks to go, Muschick wrote, noting that bars and restaurants were held hostage as part of the Senates drive to privatize liquor sales. To his credit, Republican state Sen. Scott Martin, of Martic Township, tried to salvage the cocktail measure. He called on Senate leadership last Monday to reconvene by Zoom and concur on the measure before Senate rules allowing Zoom voting expired Wednesday. We cannot stand by when we have the opportunity to quickly and easily do something that will help our small employers, Martin said in a news release. But they did in fact stand by. They must have had poolside or beach business to which to attend. We suppose we just should be grateful that they cant get reimbursed for their vacation expenses. Mileage and per diems According to The Caucus and Spotlight PA investigation, a single Democratic lawmaker from Erie, state Rep. Patrick Harkins, received $120,103.46 in mileage reimbursements over the four year-period examined. Though Harkins Republican colleague from Erie, Curtis Sonney, was second on the list, he only took in close to half of what Harkins did, despite the fact that the two lawmakers travel nearly identical distances to get to and from the Capitol. And Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, another Erie Democrat, collected even less in mileage: $30,911, the journalists wrote. Harkins acknowledged that leasing a state-owned vehicle might cost less. But he said he used to do that and the vehicles air conditioning broke and the radio only worked some of the time. Id drive with the windows down. (That sound you may be hearing is a tiny violin playing through an open car window in the distance.) Then there are the per diems, the reimbursements lawmakers can get for daily expenses food, lodging or both without submitting receipts. In all, the Legislature spent nearly $6.3 million in taxpayer dollars to reimburse lawmakers for per diems between 2017 and 2020, expense records show, The Caucus and Spotlight PA reported. Theres no such thing as a free lunch unless youre a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. If lawmakers arent getting their food paid for by per diems, they may be eating on a campaign committees or lobbyists dime, The Caucus and Spotlight PA article noted. Or they may be eating catered meals provided by legislative leaders and committee chairs largesse for which we taxpayers pay. According to The Caucus and Spotlight PA, the Legislature spent an additional $1.8 million on food and drinks for lawmakers and their staff in the four-year period that was examined this included everything from turnpike cups of coffee to $2,500 catered events with constituents. The Legislature also spends tens of thousands every year on snacks, coffee, soda or other food purchases for lawmakers Harrisburg and district offices. Those costs, however, come out of taxpayer-funded accounts controlled by legislative leaders and chief clerks, shielding the true cost of meals for a given lawmaker. Lawmakers need sustenance, we suppose, as they spend our money and refuse to spend more of the available federal relief funds on Pennsylvanians still reeling from a once-in-a-century pandemic. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 Will Afghanistan Be Turned Over to Terrorists and Drug Kingpins? July 3, 2021 (EIRNS)As the U.S. pulls out of the longest war in its history, having achieved absolutely nothing other than the destruction wrought by perpetual war upon any nation, it is increasingly clear to nearly everyone that the chances that the Taliban will not rapidly take over Kabul are slim indeed. Already the narrative presented to the world that a deal had been struck for a power-sharing agreement between the Taliban and the puppet government which the U.S. and NATO are leaving behind is worthless, as the Taliban has been making significant gains even before all the U.S. troops depart. Worse, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today warned that ISIS was actively concentrating their forces ... and actively acquiring territory, mostly in northern Afghanistan, right on the borders of countries that are our allies ... amid the hasty withdrawal of NATO, who is unable to report the achievement of at least some goals. This is not going to be like Vietnam, where the U.S. fled in disgrace, but the victorious Vietnamese forces immediately began reconstructing their nation, free of the colonial occupiers. A takeover by the Taliban, or ISIS, will mean a return to a safe haven for terrorists and the drug lordsopium production in the country has increased by 45% in the past year. Helga Zepp-LaRouche was interviewed by Zhong Shi today, the host of the Asia Today program on CGTN, as part of its lead coverage on the crisis in Afghanistan. Zhong Shi: I want to now also bring in Helga Zepp-LaRouche, the president and founder of the Schiller Institute, a German-based political and economic think tank. Mrs. Zepp-LaRouche, welcome to the program. Its a pleasure to have you on today. The Pentagon says returning Bagram base to Afghan security forces was a key milestone in U.S. military withdrawal. Now, the question is, what type of milestone will this be for Afghanistan? How will this affect the countrys ability to fight against the Taliban? Helga Zepp-LaRouche: I think its a very serious situation. There is the danger of civil war, not only between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban, but according to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who yesterday pointed to the fact that there are now ISIS forces massing in the north of Afghanistan. I think the danger is that the war will continue, this time with Afghans killing Afghans, so I think it does require some other approach. Something completely different than just withdrawing and leaving the place as it is. Zhong: The world is now watching the situation unfold in Afghanistan. We know the Taliban certainly has been sweeping into districts as foreign troops go home. When the United States watches what is happening right now in Afghanistan, how would you characterize Joe Bidens policy towards Afghanistan after U.S. forces leave? He certainly has promised continued support. Zepp-LaRouche: Yes, Im not so sure. Obviously, this is a quagmire. Twenty years of war and lost lives and lost money for nothing. I think that the withdrawal from Afghanistan has similar reasons like the United States reducing logistics in other parts of the Persian Gulf. Its in part, in my view, this focus on the Pacific, on Russia, on China. So per se, its not an Afghanistan policy, but its more a policy led by geostrategic considerations. I think this is a path to disaster as well. Look, Afghanistan in the last year, the opium production increased by 45%. Afghanistan produces 85% of the worlds opium production. If you just leave that, the Taliban will for sure increase that production as a way of financing their military operations. The deaths will be in the streets of the United States and Europe, of the many addicts. In Afghanistan, there are 3.5 million drug addicts, but that just shows that you need to have a completely different approach to solve this problem. Militarily, Afghanistan cannot be won. That was proven by the Soviet Union trying to win for 10 years, now the United States and NATO for 20 years. I think its high time to rethink, that one needs to have a completely different approach than the continuation of the same. Zhong: As you say, it would be 20 years of a war for nothing, if Afghanistan quickly descended back into chaos; into where it was before the war. Some fear that this is more likely to become a reality once foreign troops are gone. What do you think are the chances that this will happen? That Afghanistan will dive deeper into a civil war? Zepp-LaRouche: As I said, if nothing is being done, it will be a nightmare. There will be more terrorism, which will spread not only in the region, but beyond. I think there must be a change in the approach. The only way there would be any hope to stabilize the situation is if you bring real economic development to Afghanistan, but also to the entire region, of Iraq, Syria, Yemen, all these countries which have been destroyed by the endless wars. This could be taken as one region, and one should understand that both the problem of terrorism, but also the problem of drugs, is one which should concern all the countriesthe United States, Russia, China, Iran, India. They should all work together for an economic development perspective. One could extend the Belt and Road Initiative, the New Silk Road. The previous president, Karzai, saw that he sees the only hope for Afghanistan would be development. And the new name for peace is development, also in Afghanistan. So, my wish would be that this could become a subject of a UN Security Council special conference. President Putin has demanded, in any case, that the Permanent Five of the UN Security Council should meet. That would be one of the urgent items; how to prevent Afghanistan becoming a source of terrorism, drug trafficking, and just a nightmare for everybody. And how can you stop thinking in terms of geopolitical confrontation, and concentrate on the common aims of mankind? I think Afghanistan is one of these absolute crossroadsit is a crossroadbut also a crossroad in the history of mankind. Zhong: This is more of a pressing issue by the day. Helga Zepp-LaRouche, we appreciate your analysis today; thank you so much for taking the opportunity to talk to us. Saturday, July 3, 2021 The original uploader was Groubani at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Lithuania is orange; Belarus is green U.S. news can make it seem, at times, as if this country holds the world's only license over border disputes about unauthorized migration. It doesn't. Over in Europe, there is a hotly contested border dispute going on between Belarus and Lithuania. Here's what you need to know: Lithuania is part of the European Union; Belarus is not. Belarus, you may recall, is the home of the authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. It's also the country that recently diverted a European plane in order to abduct a dissident journalist. Yeah, that's all Belarus. So, the EU has been sanctioning Belarus because of the plane/journalist stunt. And Belarus is displeased. Their response to the sanctions, as the AP reports, has been to threaten to loosen border controls for undocumented migrants who want into Lithuania (and, thereby, the EU). And, indeed, the number of unauthorized border crossers between the two nations is on an uptick. You might think these migrants are all Belarus citizens fleeing oppression, but in fact they've been from all over the globe, including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, and Syria. The EU has promised to send border guards to Lithuania (and nearby Latvia) to help with the recent surge in migration. -KitJ https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2021/07/europes-latest-migrant-border-dispute-is-between-belarus-lithuania.html In the decades before the Civil War, Black Americans were often excluded from official July 4 events and instead would celebrate on July 5, both acknowledging July 4 and their distance from it. Frederick Douglass delivered his famed 1852 speech, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July," on July 5. The Civil War itself was a time for competing interpretations. Southerners embraced the Declaration of Independence's message of defiance against tyranny. The North looked to it as a blueprint. In a letter to Congress sent on July 4, 1861, just months after the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of Independence Day as inspiration for a new and more humane society. "Our adversaries have adopted some declarations of independence in which, unlike the good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit the words `all men are created equal,'" Lincoln wrote, adding that the Union was upholding "government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life." remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Fully support it It's a bit extreme but I understand why it's being done. I'd do it, but under protest. I'd quit. Vote View Results Shirley Contreras lives in Orcutt and writes for the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. She can be contacted at 623-8193 or at shirleycontreras2@yahoo.com. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories shes written for the Santa Maria Times since 1991, is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway. Kevin Merrill of Mesa Vineyard Management is a board member of the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and a director on the Santa Barbara County Fair Board. He can be reached at kmerrill@mesavineyard.com The stuffed bald eagle on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum a replica of "Old Abe," the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War could be easily passed on a tour of the museums cavernous exhibits. But stop to hear the story of the colonel that led those infantry troops with which Old Abe flew, and Wisconsins military and racial history is illuminated in a new way. John Jefferson was the name of that colonel. His name probably sounds familiar. Thats because he is Thomas Jeffersons grandson, though at the time Jefferson kept it a secret, said Kevin Hampton, the museum's curator of history. Why do you think the guy who was the grandson of the one who wrote the Declaration of Independence didn't tell anybody who his grandfather was? Why was he trying to hide that? Hampton asked. Youd think youd want to tell everybody. Id be shouting it from the top of the building. "But its because of his grandmother. His grandmother was Sally Hemmings. Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemmings. So hes half Black. And hes terrified in 1861 that someone is going to find out hes half Black. He didnt want to lose his commission as colonel of the 8th Wisconsin, so he never said a word, Hampton said. According to diary entries and correspondence at the time, Jefferson pleaded with neighbors not to tell anyone who his family was. It is an important window into race relations at the time and a key lesson to teach, Hampton said. It's very powerful when you think of that. Jefferson is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison. That story is one among many animating the artifacts and exhibits on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, 30 W. Mifflin St., owned and operated through the state Department of Veterans Affairs. Storytelling is a cornerstone of its mission, according to the museums director, Chris Kolakowski, who was hired in January 2020. After being closed to the public for more than a year because of COVID-19, the museum reopened to the public July 1. During the pandemic, it expanded its virtual programs, including trivia nights, movie discussions, special lectures on topics ranging from piloting a Huey helicopter in Vietnam to documenting the evolution of womens uniforms in the military. Between March 24, 2020, and June 15, 2021, museum staff produced 73 virtual programs, for which 3,370 virtual attendance tickets were sold, according to the museum. Looking ahead, museum staff say they are looking to build on the virtual programming successes to reach a wider audience but are re-introducing in-person activities including book talks, live music and its tour of Forest Hill Cemetery. Kolakowskis chief priority is elevating the people and their stories behind everything the museum does, he said. The stories give one a reason to care. He, along with museum staff, have agreed on three key messages they want visitors to take away from a visit: There is a story, Wisconsin was there, and it still matters. Our vision, quite frankly, is to be the go-to resource for Wisconsin military history, not just for the people of Wisconsin, although that's obviously a primary focus, but also nationally and internationally, he said. That vision drives the museums dual missions: conservation and sharing stories. We not only save stories, we tell the stories, and we share the stories, he said. Along with exhibits and events, the museum has digital and in-person archives for researchers to tap for history or genealogy work. It has millions of pages of digital and paper records, more than 100,000 photographs and 2,500 oral histories from Wisconsin veterans dating back to the Spanish American War, which Kolakowski said is one of the largest oral history databases in the country. The state considers a Wisconsin veteran any veteran who was born in the state, enlisted from the state or have lived here for five consecutive years. It aims to preserve records and stories of any veteran who meets that criteria, Kolakowski said. The museum also aims to curate a wider array of programming for veterans from communities of color and other historically marginalized veteran communities. It has curated a collection of LGBTQ veteran stories from the dont ask, dont tell policy era that governed their lives. The online program is called Do Tell! It has also showcased the contributions of Native American code talkers from the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, who served alongside Navajo service members using the little-known Native languages as a way of secretly communicating with troops. But it wants to do more. Finding more diverse voices is a priority as it moves out of the pandemic, Kolakowski said. Could we do more? Could we collect more? Absolutely, he said. There are certain things that we realize are either underserved in our collection or underserved (for) our audience; we're actively going to go out and get those. This museum was founded by veterans for the people of Wisconsin. And we take that very seriously. And I define people of Wisconsin as broad as it possibly can be. Everybody should be able to walk in here and recognize some aspect of themselves in our displays. A step toward that is collecting a photo of every veteran in Wisconsin. It's a dream of Hampton, the curator, who wants to create a massive collage of veteran photographs. He is encouraging every veteran in the state to send in a photo. "It's so, so meaningful to look into the face of a person. You know, every time you talk about military history, it's usually like, you know, 16,000 people in a division. But when you can see in their eyes, you can see the face, and then you can maybe tie it in with the words that they said or the letter home, (it's a) much different feeling. And that's what we're looking for." How to submit your veteran story: Submit a photo of your veteran: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/veterans-profile-submission/ Share the story of your military service with the museum's oral historian: https://wisvetsmuseum.com/oral-histories/ He so cherished his freedom that he required a bribe (Liva Snaps) to ride in the pickup. Nor did he appreciate the confines of a boat, from which hed leap while I was fishing, to visit the family of loons or pursue his own piscatorial quarry in Bluegills crystal-clear depths. For 10 years, my family exhilarated in his freedom as if it were our own. On his last side trip, not of his choosing, I held him in my arms while recalling for his vet a memorable walk with Janet and me the previous April through melting snow along the Chippewa River. How he had plunged into the rushing water and swam to the other side, keeping us in his sights as we explored opposite banks. When I whistled time to go, he raised his head, paused and galloped 80 yards upstream before leaping back into the icy Chippewa, paddling and riding the current to emerge precisely where we stood. Many years later, a feeling of longing and love for our Elsa, and for the gift of freedom, is what we savor and remember on the Fourth of July. -end- Former Hayward resident David McGrath is emeritus English professor, College of DuPage, and author of SOUTH SIDERS. profmcgrath2004@yahoo.com Dear Editor: The Republican version of the state budget was sent to Gov. Tony Evers desk on Thursday. He should veto the $87.5 biennial budget because the only priority it signals is tax cuts for wealthy Republican taxpayers. Thats it. Oh, there is the additional priority of minimizing the importance of government, since the most recent stimulus checks were so popular with the population Republican and Democrat alike. Assembly Speaker Robin Voss and company cant have the citizens of the state believing that state government has a role to play in bettering our quality of life. Better to use the budget to undercut any good the government could do. Havent we seen enough of this? With this budget, Voss lays out the Republican agenda for the coming two years. Is it supporting businesses that suffered during the pandemic? No. Is it supporting K-12 schools that had to completely reinvent the educational process over the last year and a half? No. Is it attracting more federal dollars to Wisconsin? No. A: I learned to weave while employed at Old World Wisconsin. Finnish immigrants have an unbroken rug-weaving tradition and are known for the quality of their rugs. Although rag rugs are practical items, I wanted to shed a bit of lamp light on the social and emotional aspects of making them. Rag rugs might be easily dismissed as purely utilitarian, but as I researched this book, I realized that in many ways, creating rag rugs helped weavers survive incredibly difficult times. Some of it was financial; for a woman who was struggling to put food on the table, earning a little extra money selling rugs was huge. Also, oral histories indicate that for some weavers, the only place they could escape their troubles was at the loom. Some enjoyed working with color during long winters. Others commented that pounding a looms beater bar was their only outlet when they were upset or angry. There was so much more to weaving rag rugs than functionality. Thats what I really wanted to highlight. When you go to the Square, you need, lets just say, 100 port-a-potties, and when you go to Breese, you might need 10 because they have bathrooms there, she said. Putting Taste Downtown on the Square is so logistically heavy in a normal year. Then add in all of the consistent changes and cancellations and uncertainties that were in right now, its a huge risk. By May, she said she had to make a decision about what kind of risks she could take, and moving the event to Breese just seemed safer. Although not quite as sexy, and it emotionally doesnt feel as exciting, it is the one way that I can ensure that the Taste of Madison is going to happen in 2021, she said. Public Health Madison and Dane County announced on May 18 it would allow COVID-19 restrictions to expire June 2 with no new orders replacing them, meaning all local restrictions on the size of gatherings were eliminated. Safety first When the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra announced its venue change for Concerts on the Square in April, it expected to seat 1,500 per concert. That number has now grown to 5,000 since the restrictions on crowd size were lifted. TWIN FALLS Although it may bear his name, the namesake for Gordys Hwy. 30 Music Fest says the event is about more than one person. Promoter Gordy Schroeder said the festival, which completed its eighth run last week, is for everybody. Like I say, its the peoples festival, Schroeder said. The farmers were there, the ranchers, the welders, oil workers the people who make the country go. Your front line, first responders. Thats who was there, which is America and were all about America. Schroeder held the first iteration of the festival in Fairfield in the mid-2000s to raise money for the Camas County School District. He organized a second show the following year and planned to do a third before the Great Recession hit. A few years after the economy began to recover, Schroeder relaunched the festival in Filer at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds where it has taken place in late June every year since 2014. The first year in Filer, attendees booked 14 camping spots, and more than a thousand people showed up. This year, the festival sold 700 camping spots, and Schroeder estimates more than 20,000 people filtered in and out of the fairgrounds over the four-day event, including attendees, bands, vendors and other workers. Lucy Murphy inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Lucy Murphy of Twin Falls was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Boise State University. Founded in 1897, the society is the nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Kenneth R. Turner to present Tales of the Old West Kenneth R. Turner will present Tales of the Old West at History Camp America 2021 on July 10. The presentation by Turner will cover the Pony Express, the Oregon Trail, stage robbers, mountain men, outlaws, miners, cattle drives, the Klondike, medicine and some famous and not-so-famous characters from the Old West. The day-long event, a project of The Pursuit of History non-profit, is the first of its kind, with 35+ presentations, tours of historic sites and historic walks covering all aspects of history from across the country. Registration is required, and the deadline to register is July 8. Additional details, including registration information, the list of presentations and video previews of the behind-the-scenes tours, are all at HistoryCamp.org. Northwest Farm Credit Services Awards 21 Idaho Students with Scholarships TWIN FALLS A wanted fugitive was captured at noon Friday in Twin Falls after hiding in a backyard. Twin Falls city patrol officers responded to a tip that a fugitive who had walked away from a work center was in the area of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Addison Avenue. The Idaho Department of Corrections confirmed the fugitive was Dravyn Russell Isenhower, an inmate at South Idaho Correctional Institution, who had escaped from a work site in Marsing on June 24. +2 1 missing prison inmate found, 1 still on the loose One of two Idaho South Idaho Correctional Institution residents who walked away from a job site was taken back into custody, but the other remains missing after being spotted near Hagerman, authorities said. Isenhower escaped with another prisoner, who surrendered to police on June 26. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Lt. Terry Thueson said Isenhower jumped a fence and hid in a backyard before being brought into custody in the 1200 block of 11th Avenue East. He now faces felony charges of escape, possession of a controlled substance and concealment of evidence, the Idaho Department of Correction said. Twin Falls officers received assistance from probation and parole officers along with Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office deputies. Today is Friday, July 2, 2021. Let's get caught up. Here's what you should know today: President Biden met with first responders and comforted families during a visit to the condo collapse site in Surfside, Florida; Boy Scouts of America reaches $850 million agreement with the victims of sex abuse; and the World Series champion L.A. Dodgers will visit Biden at the White House today. Keep scrolling for today's top stories, this date in history and celebrity birthdays. TOP STORIES 'Waiting is unbearable': Biden consoles Surfside families SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP) President Joe Biden drew on his own experiences with grief and loss to comfort families affected by the Florida condo collapse, telling them to never give up hope even as the search for survivors paused early Thursday, a week after the building came down. Addressing some of the families touched by the tragedy, Biden spoke in deeply personal terms as he offered his prayers and support in the private meeting. Rescue workers are digging through rubble and debris looking for signs of life after last week's building collapse in the town of Surfside, just north of Miami, Florida. On Thursday, June 24, around 1:30 a.m., an estimated 55 condominiums fell to the ground, most of them with residents asleep inside. As families wait in agony for updates on missing loved ones, there are ways you can ensure they don't face this situation alone. Organizations are on the ground to help. Here is how you can support them even from miles away. To donate to organizations featured click here or the button below. Donate money or personal care items The American Red Cross is helping displaced residents find safe places. The group is also offering emotional and spiritual support to the survivors. In return for the salmon giving themselves to us, our connection was that we would always be a voice to the salmon after that point in time, Wheeler said in a telephone interview. For us to carry that story for thousands of years and to reach this critical point in time and juncture of the salmon, it seems that now the salmon are needing us as their voice because they couldnt speak for themselves. Wheeler said the salmon are connected to the Nez Perces history and culture, and he believes Simpsons plan can save the fish. He also believes there is a positive connection with the salmon that can benefit Orca whales, which can be found in Washingtons San Juan Islands. You have to recognize, we have been studying and studying and talking about this for decades, Wheeler said. The time for talking is over and the time for action is now, and that is what Congressman Simpson is bringing to the table. The tribe appreciates Congressman Simpsons bravery to address a complex problem with solutions to the issues. When asked, Wheeler said he did not believe breaching the dams would affect or threaten the 2004 Snake River Water Rights Agreement that the water users cited as cause for concern. BOISE Salmon in the Columbia, Snake and even Salmon rivers are swimming into lethally hot waters that are at even higher temperatures than when nearly all of the Columbia and Snake sockeye died in 2015. This is worse, said Lisa Crozier, a research biologist for NOAA Fisheries in Seattle. Thats because the water temperatures in 2015 of 68 degrees and hotter came a little later in the summer. The unprecedented extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest, combined with low river flows, drove the river temperatures into the 70s earlier this week, threatening not only sockeye, but other migrating salmon and steelhead in the rivers. Temperatures in the Snake River reached 74 degrees, and even the upper Salmon River warmed to 75, said Eric Johnson, a research biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Salmon begin to die when water temperatures reach 68. TRUCK AND HAUL SOCKEYE Fish and Game biologists are preparing to collect sockeye from below Lower Granite Dam the final dam on the Snake River near Lewiston and truck them to the Eagle Hatchery, the headquarters of the successful captive rearing program, which prevented endangered sockeye from going extinct in the 1990s and 2000s. I took a drive out around the Magic Valley one recent evening, past the ripening wheat and barley fields in the flat sunlight of a fading day, and was struck yet again by the glorious bounty of the land around us. Our ancestors would truly marvel at the vast expanses of productive farmland, the technologies of pivot irrigation, the prosperous towns and burgeoning housing going up everywhere. But they would marvel still more at the way weve retained much of the traditional values they established: the importance of family ties, our vibrant if changing adherences to faith, our willingness to support our schools, our common-sense and practical view of politics and civic engagement. And they would marvel as well at our love of country, our heart-felt patriotism, our appreciation of Americas founding, our continuing if sometimes raucous republican form of government, our defense of freedom everywhere. We take too much of this for granted. Benjamin Franklin, asked what was the form of the new government, said a republic if you can keep it.. So far, we have done that, even under the stresses of modern times. Martin named Henry Countys PR liaison Brandon Martin is the new public relations and community liaison for Henry County and the Henry County Public Service Authority, the county announced. Martin was a staff writer for the Henry County Enterprise and has five years of communications experience with the federal government, a release from the county said. Martin will be the primary contact for all media and will serve as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer for the county and the HCPSA. The county had no person in that role in recent years. Ive always had a strong desire to serve others, and I look forward to continuing to do that as part of the team here in the county as we collectively work to ensure that everyone knows that Henry County, Virginia, is the best place in the world to live and raise a family, Martin said in the release. Martin graduated from Martinsville High School in 2010 and he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from East Tennessee State University in 2013. He served five in the U.S. Navy, completing tours as a communications specialist at the Navy recruiting headquarters and aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, the release said. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Russia reported its fifth record for daily COVID-19 deaths in a row on Saturday, as countries around the world rushed to contain the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant. The variant has propelled a resurgence of the virus which has already killed nearly four million people, forcing numerous nations to reimpose restrictions well over a year after the pandemic first swept the world. Thousands of troops and police hit the streets in Indonesia to enforce a partial lockdown imposed on Saturday, as the country recorded a record 27,913 new daily cases as well as 493 deaths. Mosques, restaurants and shopping malls were shuttered in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali after the daily caseload quadrupled in less than a month, with the Delta variant blamed. The overwhelmed healthcare system is teetering on the brink of collapse as jammed hospitals turn away patients, leading desperate families to hunt for oxygen tanks to treat the sick and dying at home. "The stricter restrictions came too late," said Jakarta resident Maya Puspita Sari. "Before, people who got COVID-19 were strangers, but now it's also the people closest to me who are infected... The virus is getting so much closer and it's terrifying." Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Myanmar ordered two million people in the second city of Mandalay to stay at home Friday as the coup-hit country struggles to contain coronavirus cases. New measures were also put in place in Portugal, with a night curfew entering into force for nearly half the population in a bid rein in rising Delta infections. New waves in Russia, Iran Russia has so far ruled out a new lockdown to fight surging Delta cases, even as it reported 697 more deaths on Saturdaysetting a new nationwide record for the fifth straight day. Second city Saint Petersburg hosted a Euro 2020 quarter-final between Spain and Switzerland on Friday night, with concern raised after hundreds of cases were detected among spectators attending games across the continent. Russia had hoped its vaccination campaign would tamp down a new wave, but it has met with widespread scepticism and a sluggish rollout, with only 16 percent of the 146 million population jabbed. AFP journalists saw hundreds of people waiting at vaccination points across Moscow on Friday. "I've been queueing for about two hours already," 21-year-old student Svetlana Stepereva said in the northeast of the capital. "I want to get a jab and feel safe." This week President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to "listen to experts" rather than rumours about the virus and vaccines. Iran, battling the Middle East's deadliest outbreak of the coronavirus, has warned it could be hit by yet another wave of infections. "It is feared that we are on the way to a fifth wave throughout the country," President Hassan Rouhani told a meeting of Iran's anti-virus taskforce, warning the public to be careful as "the Delta variant has spread" in southern provinces. Delta rises in Africa, Fiji The Delta variant, first identified in India and now present in at least 85 countries, has driven outbreaks in places that had previously been able to mostly avoid the pandemic's ravages. Fiji, which went an entire year without recording any community coronavirus cases until Delta arrived in April, recorded its biggest-ever infection increase on Saturday. Authorities reported two deaths and warned of more to come as the virus threatens to overwhelm the South Pacific nation's health system. Africa has also been largely spared the worst of the pandemic, but infection numbers have increased in the continent for six weeks running, driven by the Delta variant. Deaths rose by 15 percent across 38 African countries to nearly 3,000 in the same period. "The speed and scale of Africa's third wave is like nothing we've seen before," Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization's regional director for Africa, said this week. South Africa, the continent's worst-hit country, posted a new record of 24,000 cases on Friday. "We are indeed... in the eye of the storm of the third wave," Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said. Meanwhile in Italy 300 healthcare workers have lodged a legal challenge against the requirement that they get vaccinated against coronavirus, according to media reports. "This isn't a battle by anti-vaxxers but a democratic battle," constitutional lawyer Daniele Granara, who helped build up the case, told the Giornale di Brescia newspaper. Explore further Covid spreading in Africa at record pace, says WHO 2021 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain Russia on Sunday reported more than 25,000 new coronavirus cases, the highest number of daily infections since early January as the country battles the surging Delta variant. The coronavirus figures have soared since mid-June against a background of reluctance among many to get vaccinated and suspicion of home-grown shots. Russia on Sunday announced 25,142 new infections, the highest figure since January 2 when Russia was emerging from a second wave of the pandemic. This week Russia reported record numbers of coronavirus deaths for five days in a row, registering 697 COVID-19 fatalities on Saturday. On Sunday, the official tally showed 663 people dying of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours. Some experts say that Russia vastly under-reports coronavirus fatalities, counting only cases when the virus was found to be the primary cause of death after autopsy. Moscow, the biggest virus hotspot nationwide, recorded 7,624 new cases and 111 deaths. The government has ruled out a nationwide lockdown but this week President Vladimir Putin once again urged Russians to get vaccinated and "listen to experts" rather than rumours. Vaccine hesitancy has been a huge challenge for the Russian authorities, and Moscow has become the first Russian city to introduce mandatory vaccinations. City authorities said at least 60 percent of service industry workers should be fully inoculated by mid-August. So far 137,925 people have died among 5.6 million infected in Russia, according to official figures. On Sunday, neighbouring Kazakhstan reported 3,003 new virus cases, a record since the start of the pandemic. Another Central Asian country, Tajikistan, in June admitted having coronavirus cases for the first time in more than five months. On Saturday, Tajikistan made vaccines mandatory for citizens aged 18 and older. Explore further Russia sees surge in virus cases amid slow vaccine drive 2021 AFP Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Vermontknown for Bernie Sanders, maple syrup and the birthplace of Ben and Jerry's ice creamhas a new claim to fame: America's most-vaccinated state against COVID-19. Home to red farmhouses and signs warning drivers of moose, the US's second-least populated state recently became the first to partially vaccinate 80 percent of eligible residents. "It makes us probably the safest place in the country and maybe the world," says health commissioner Mark Levine, who has a bobblehead of top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci on his desk. The rural, northeastern state has administered at least one vaccine dose to 82 percent of residents aged 12 and over, well above the US's national rate of 64 percent. Its vaccination rate is more than double that of the worst-performing state Mississippi. Officials and locals credit Vermont's success to widespread vaccine clinics, trust in political leaders and science and residents' strong sense of responsibility to their community. "Vermonters prioritize their health, which is a good starting point," Levine tells AFP at the state health department offices in Burlington on Lake Champlain. "And building upon that, Vermonters are very cooperative and compliant," he adds, citing a tradition of town meetings and "civic engagement" across New England, including Maine and Massachusetts where vaccine rates are also high. Vermont, whose population is 94 percent white and which has one of the highest levels of education in the United States, has registered only around 250 deaths from COVID-19. The United States overall has suffered more than 605,000 COVID-related deaths. Moderate Republican Governor Phil Scott lifted all remaining restrictions when Vermont reached the 80 percent milestone last month, after lifting the state's mask mandate in May. Evan David Warner, a busker on Burlington's main Church Street, agrees that Vermont's tight-knit population of just 640,000 was key to life returning to normal. "Vermonters believe that we all have a responsibility to keep each other safe. It's a social moral code," the 23-year-old guitarist says between songs. Vermont's scattered populace and mountainous terrain, popular with hikers in summer and skiers in winter, presented vaccinators with the challenge of reaching everyone. As shots slowed at main sites, pop-up clinics were set up on farms, lakeside beaches, state parks and raceways to help reach people in rural areas, including migrant farm workers. 'Convenience' "We realized we had to go out to them," explains nurse Ellen Monger, as she waits for walk-ins at a farmer's market in Northfield, population 6,000. "Sometimes that means traveling on dirt roads in the middle of nowhere and going to someone's home where they're homebound. "I've literally been to places I never expected to as a nurse," she adds, as locals stock up on organic teas, jarred pickles and freshly picked strawberries. Fifteen miles (24 kilometers) away in Websterville, the National Guard administers the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine to employees at Vermont Creamery. The business partnered with the soldiers to help boost the vaccination rate of its staff, which was lagging at around 55 percent. "We're just trying to eliminate any barrier," explains marketing director Kate Paine, noting the company was offering free tacos as an added incentive. Work hours, homes in remote locations and childcare responsibilities have made it difficult for some staff to find time to get immunized. "It was the ease of convenience," says 30-year-old fresh cheese supervisor Jason Stride, explaining his reason for getting vaccinated at work. Back in Burlington, Vermont's largest city, the high vaccination rate is a relief for locals and businesses. "It's great to see normal, smiling faces around," says clothing store worker Aida Arms. "There's also an economic bolster that comes with a higher vaccination rate," adds the 21-year-old. Vermont hasn't offered major incentives for vaccinations, health commissioner Levine notes. No lotteries like those seen in other states; just the odd soft-serve ice cream known locally as "creamees." He believes "apathy," not vaccine hesitancy, is driving the holdouts. But he's determined to get shots in their arms, particularly with anxiety surrounding virus mutations such as the Delta variant. "Perseverance: another good New England value," he says. Explore further US COVID cases hit new plateau as Delta variant rises 2021 AFP In the decades after Maos death, China opened its economy to the world, inviting foreign companies to build factories and hire Chinese workers to export goods to America, Europe, and other countries. Economic growth skyrocketed, and a large, more prosperous middle class emerged, even as dire poverty fell sharply in most parts of the country. Although the CCP maintained its iron grip on power, party leaders who followed in Maos wake abandoned his cult of personality and one-man rule in hopes of preventing similar abuses of power. They also granted citizens more personal freedoms within the constraints of continued one-party rule, such as freedom to decide where to work or go to school. Current President Xi Jinping, however, has taken China back down the road of highly centralized authority, with a growing cult of personality, increasingly tight surveillance of citizens, repression of minorities, and a steady purge of political opposition all the while building up Chinas military capabilities and projecting Chinese influence throughout the globe. For China, its emergence as a major global player represents a return to its past glory as the Middle Kingdom, the first among equals. Its leaders believe America is in decline, and they see a future in which China eclipses the United States as the worlds leading power. Clearwater Credit Union announced a $25,000 donation to the Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC) during its 2021 annual member meeting in June. Clearwater is Montanas largest Community Development Financial Institution. The event marked the credit unions 65th year in operation and was a celebration of its mission to be a force for good in banking, in the lives of its members, and in the communities it serves. The donation is intended to combat ongoing food insecurity in vulnerable households and to provide more Montanans with the means to secure healthy, locally sourced produce. CFAC estimates that 1 in 8 Montanans struggle to afford all the food they need. Even with federal food benefits like SNAP, many families experience food insecurity and often struggle to afford healthy food options like fruits and vegetables. Clearwaters contribution will support Double Snap Dollars program administered by CFAC and coordinated in partnership with Farm Hands Nourish the Flathead and NCAT. In the courtyard of the St. Ignatius Mission Parish, tucked under the cool shade of a couple of pine trees, a group of people braved the heat wave Saturday evening to remember lost children and survivors of Native American boarding schools. They listened closely orange ribbons pinned to their shirts, clutching LED candles and flowers to the calm and somber voices of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe members Claire Charlo and Karissa Trahan as they dedicated prayers, songs and a poem. With the microphone close to her heart, Charlo, who is part of the CSKT tribal defenders office, spoke of the cases she has worked with over the years with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of boarding school survivors. She has seen firsthand the generational effects that boarding schools have had on Indigenous children who were ripped against their will from their families and homelands. Many [kids] were disconnected from their language and culture due to the generational effects that boarding schools have had, Charlo said. The existence of these schools has affected kids with intergenerational trauma which has made them lose part of their identity. The vigil was organized in coordination with church officials to use the churchs courtyard to honor and remember those who were sent to Native American boarding schools during the 1800s and 1900s as part of a federal government campaign to forcefully assimilate Indigenous children into white society. The recent discoveries of childrens remains and hundreds of unmarked graves at boarding school sites in British Columbia and Saskatchewan have sent shock waves through Canada and the United States. The news has sparked a move by the U.S. government investigate its past administration of more than 350 Native American boarding schools throughout the country. Newly appointed Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced on June 22 the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which will "uncover the truth about the loss of human life and the lasting consequences of government policies. The project will include gathering historical records to identify past boarding school locations, locate known and possible burial sites at or near the sites of those schools, and uncover the names and tribal affiliations of student victims, Haaland said. For Charlo, the revelations have meant another wave of trauma for Indigenous people. To this day, we have only put on a giant band-aid over a hemorrhage, and with the discovery of bodies in Canada, that band-aid has now come off, Charlo said. Were going to see a lot of bodies and unmarked graves that we didnt even know about being discovered in and around boarding school sites across the U.S., and as Indigenous people, we need to bring those children home. For the past few days, Trahan, a 30-year-old mother of four kids, has been thinking deeply about what to say during times like these after learning of what happened north of the border, she said. Trahan stepped forward and read a love letter she wrote to her four kids and all the children who were stolen by boarding schools across the country. My heart was at its heaviest when I was putting my little daughter to sleep the other night. I felt lucky because I could comfort my own daughter while other children and babies werent able to be comforted by their parents at these boarding schools, Trahan said, gasping. This is what hurts me the most as a Native mother. Now, more than ever, Indigenous communities deserve a proper healing process, Trahan said. Theres going to be people who are sad, angry and then those who will be denying the fact, but thats just the first step of healing, which starts with acknowledging what happened, she said. Theres people that live here and dont even know about it, so I hope people will educate themselves about what really happened at these boarding schools. Trahan hopes these tragic events will be talked about in history books and that schools teach students about the original history and relationship between the U.S government and Indigenous communities, she said. Patrick Matt Jr., director of the CSKT Families First Program, said the Ursuline Academy in Great Falls and the St. Ignatius Mission School in the lower Flathead Valley functioned as both day and boarding schools where Indigenous children from in and around the state were sent. Matt spoke of growing up as the child of boarding school survivors. Both his father and mother were sent to the Ursuline Academy at a young age. He recalls his dad telling him about the abuses and harsh treatments. He would talk about times when he was over-disciplined by professors and that they would take rulers after him or he would see his peers getting their mouths washed with soap when they tried to speak their tribal languages in school, he said. My father considered himself fortunate because he didnt receive the same types of abuse as other kids did, which on some occasions went as far as physical and/or sexual abuse. The painful reality, trauma and abuse that boarding school survivors endured cannot go unseen any longer, Matt said. He hopes Haalands initiative to investigate these atrocities paves the way for Indigenous communities to start healing. Native Americans need to be heard. Native Americans need to be felt. Native Americans need to be understood, because this was institutional racism and hatred, he said. I firmly believe that if everybodys got a seat at the table where they can be heard, then we can start coming up with the discussion of how to help heal this wound. We need church leaders and clergymen to step up and also be a part of this discussion so we can start healing. As for Charlo, she hopes the vigil display set up in the courtyard of Mission Church will stay in place so the community has a place to honor, remember and pay their respects to the victims and survivors of boarding schools, she said. I believe that acknowledging the pain and damage that was caused by church and government predecessors is important. We just want reconciliation, she said. We want acknowledgement that the damage was done and that cultural genocide was committed against our people. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 7 Angry 0 The EU brings together countries with different traditions, with different cultures. There are differences that need to be taken into account and respected, he said, during an exchange that lasted well over an hour. Pressure mounted on Jansas government recently as it prepared for its EU presidency, which is largely about acting as an honest broker to find consensus among the 27 nations and ensure the smooth adoption of policies ranging from the environment to migration. Protests in the capital, Ljubljana, have become routine. In late May, around 20,000 people gathered in a central square to demand that the government step down. Jansa is accused of becoming increasingly authoritarian in ways similar to those of his ally, hardline Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Critics say Jansas government has pressured Slovenian media, spurred hate speech and mismanaged the coronavirus pandemic. Asked about his attitude toward illiberal democracies like those in Hungary and Poland, the 62-year-old former journalist replied: For me, all of these mainstream political orientations are equal, and equally legitimate. Far better to enjoy one of the professional public displays that have pre-determined start and stop times. Even better, make a day of enjoying the many Fourth of July offerings today. Spend the morning at the fifth annual Independent Day Camp at the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History, then catch the old-fashioned celebration at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in the afternoon. When evening arrives, stop by the Southgate Mall for live music, food trucks and family friendly activities, capped by an awe-inspiring fireworks display that can be viewed from almost every corner of the valley. And that's just in Missoula. From a parade in Polson to a Sacajawea Day history presentation in Darby, theres no shortage of ways to enjoy the day. Of course, there will always be those who insist on taking risks or being careless in defiance of laws and common sense. But endangering others, and making it impossible for your neighbors to relax and enjoy the holiday too, is just selfish. You might even call it unpatriotic. Not far from the church is another historical marker, pointing out another Revolutionary War era event. The skirmish at Torrence Tavern took place Feb. 1 or 2, 1781. British cavalry led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton, had decisively defeated the patriot militia earlier in the day at Cowans Ford, the battle in which General John Davidson was killed. Tarleton trampled through this part of Iredell County, which was then part of Rowan County, in his efforts to stamp out the militia on his way to Greensboro and what he expected to be a tremendous victory at the Guilford Courthouse. Some historians say the event was insignificant and would not be recognized at all, except Tarleton had recorded it in his diary. More recent research suggests that the battle may have been larger than previously thought. The Mary Slocumb Chapter placed a commemorative marble marker at the site thought to be the location of the battle, near Highway 115 and Langtree Road. You just have to be mindful of the dangers that being on the water can bring, Lee said. We just want to make sure that everyone is boating sober and safe. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} According to N.C. Wildlife, there were 159 non-fatal boating incidents on North Carolina waterways in 2020 with 29 fatalities. Of those, eight were alcohol-related with four of them coming on Lake Norman. Our efforts are to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents on the water, Lee said. One life lost is one too many. This is the 12th year that the nationwide initiative of Operation: Dry Water has taken place, and it is believed to be an effective way of preventing alcohol and drug-related accidents on Lake Norman and beyond. (N.C. Wildlife) has certainly done a good job of making the public aware of the effort that theyre taking here, Sample said. People know that theyre going to find them if theyre not operating a boat responsibly, whether due to alcohol or ignorance. N.C. Wildlife also took the time to remind the public that may be looking to go out on Lake Norman over the holiday weekend that they want people to be safe. Sparklers To show what sparklers can do to clothing, Olathe fire officials touched a lit sparkler to a white sweatshirt made of 100% polyester. It melted the fabric instantly. "Where that fabric melts, that can actually melt to your skin," Wassom said. In 2019, sparklers were the leading cause of fireworks injuries to children younger than 5, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission. One 3-year-old "was playing with a sparkler that his mother had lit for him. He twirled it around and burned himself," the commission reported. "I don't think a lot of mothers and fathers understand that," Tavalali said. They probably don't know either, she said, how hot sparklers can get as hot as volcanic lava by some estimates, and hot enough to melt gold, Tavalali said. Adults "just give them to their children. They give multiples to their children," she said. "You've seen that before where a kid has several sparklers in their hands and they burn down pretty low and sometimes those stems are not as long as they should be." Sparklers themselves are not the risk, said Bhavsar. Conservation has always been the Camerons ideal outcome for their property, so reaching out to Foothills Conservancy was the next step. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} For us, it seemed logical to give our land to the conservancy, David said. Weve known about the organization for a long time. Rob has been good friends with Land Protection Director Tom Kenney for many years. We are really thrilled with the way this has all worked out. Kenney reflected on the conservation project: Foothills Conservancy greatly appreciates these generous property donations from David, Martha and Rob. It is a tremendous legacy that they will make by the permanent conservation of their ecologically significant lands. The property includes several unique features and rare plants. One of the most significant features is a balanced rock about the size of a van. The Camerons historical account of the property notes that the rock came down from Harris Mountain during the Great Flood of 1916 and landed on a smaller rock, where it still sits today. According to David, the feature was a tourist attraction after the flood. When I asked my daughter-in-law, Stephanie Van Horn, who lives in Smyrna, Georgia, to tell me some of her favorite activities for celebrating our Independence Day on the Fourth of July, she said, Parades and fireworks are a must, and grilling out. I also like swimming and going to the square in Marietta to check out the wares of the vendors. When I asked my daughter Cynthia the same question, she remembered the times we used to lie on the hillside at Western Piedmont Community College with our blankets spread beneath us and watch the amazing fireworks displays. I recall one particular year in the 90s, when I lay on that hillside with my family, including my 2-something-year-old first grandchild. Bradley snuggled up close to me, maybe to stave off the coolness of the night air, but when the fireworks began, he jumped on top of me and buried his face into my chest. He took a glance at the fireworks after much reassurance from his mother and maw maw, but we kept his ears covered. We live in a great country founded by interesting people using principles such as freedom, natural rights, and liberty. As one author puts it, It was these ideas at that time in history that made the founding of the United States absolutely unique and exemplary probably the most profound single event in shaping the modern world. Some want to erase the term founding father or founding mother from our historical vocabulary. They argue the terms are racist or sexist. Yet, these individuals were the beams in the American building. Without whom, this American nation could not exist. There were many founders of the country, known and unknown. Abigail Adams always pushed her husband, John, to remember the ladies in the writing of the new government. Women and minorities fought in the Revolutionary war for their own right to be free. They demonstrated a great character. Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Prince Estabruck, and several women known as Molly Pitchers are just a few of them. As Independence Week is upon us, it is heartening to think about the people who shaped the revolutionary era. For example, Cesar Rodney, a delegate to the Continental Congress from Delaware, rode 80 miles from his home to Philadelphia to be his states deciding vote in support of Independence on July 2, 1776. She said the city attorney in Bozeman, who has been in that position for 12 years, couldnt recall its ordinance ever being enforced. And she noted that in Seattle, the activities that can constitute a chronic nuisance are all serious criminal offenses. And whatever the alleged activity, Joyce said, there needs to be solid proof it happened. One neighbor miffed at another shouldnt be able to just call the police three times and have nuisance proceedings kick in. Sheriff Lester said there are other statutory and constitutional rights to consider. It is not against the law, for example, for a lot of people to visit a house, or to stop by at 2 a.m. That doesnt give police probable cause to get a search warrant or make arrests, he said. Police will respond to complaints, he said, but many times, when an officer gets there, the disturbance is over or the music is turned down or nobody will answer the door. The situation on Goodwin Street, though it took weeks of concentrated efforts to resolve, was actually an easy one, Lester said. The neighborhood was nice and quiet, people moved into one house and all hell broke loose. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) In the dim light just after dawn, Bill Blubaugh parks his Des Moines Water Works pickup truck, grabs a dipper and a couple plastic bottles and walks down a boat ramp to the Raccoon River, where he scoops up samples from a waterway that cuts through some of the nations most intensely farmed land. Each day the utility analyzes whats in those samples and others from the nearby Des Moines River as it works to deliver drinking water to more than 500,000 people in Iowas capital city and its suburbs. Some mornings walking down, it smells like ammonia, he said. Its concerning. Im down here every morning and care about the water. Water Works for years has tried to force or cajole farmers upstream to reduce the runoff of fertilizer that leaves the rivers with sky-high nitrate levels but lawsuits and legislative lobbying have failed. Now, it's considering a drastic measure that, as a rule, large cities just don't do drilling wells to find clean water. Small communities and individuals use wells, but large U.S. metro areas have always relied primarily on rivers and lakes for the large volumes of water needed. Surface sources provide about 70% of fresh water in the U.S., as a reliance on wells for big populations would otherwise quickly deplete aquifers. Shes since moved to Paris and has been coming to Pere-Lachaise almost every year, taking photographs of Morrison's grave and his fans, many of whom have become friends. (It's like) people sitting around on couches in someones apartment, rather than a graves, just talking and meeting each other, she recalled. It was really lovely ... I still come as much as I can because its just always so wonderful." Colleen Amblard drove seven hours from her hometown of Domancy, in the French Alps, to visit the grave. The 21 year-old student told The Associated Press its very emotional to be here, to remember Jim Morrison ... to show that hes not forgotten." "We acknowledge his talent and the fact that he was a brilliant person, he was really a genius, she said. Like many other fans, Amblard was planning to visit other sites Morrison spent time in while living in Paris, from his apartment to the former nightclub where some say he died of an heroin overdose. Born in 1943 in Melbourne, Florida, Morrison was the son of a U.S. Navy officer and moved constantly as a child, growing up in Florida, Virginia, Texas, New Mexico and California. Im the fix-the-damn-roads governor, so I talk infrastructure with everybody, including the president," she said. In recent flooding, she said the state saw under-invested infrastructure collide with climate change and the freeways were under water. So this is an important moment. And thats why this infrastructure package is so important. Thats also why I got the president rocky road fudge from Mackinac Island for his trip here," she said. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow also said she spoke with the president about the infrastructure package as they toured the cherry farm, noting that her phone signal dropped to one bar and that the proposed broadband buildout was needed. Biden's host at King Orchards, Juliette King McAvoy, introduced him to the two Guatemalan couples, who she said had been working on the farm for 35 years. He told them he was proposing a pathway to citizenship for farmworkers. Biden then picked a cherry out of one of their baskets and ate it. He later bought pies at the farm's market, including three varieties of cherry. Before leaving Michigan, he stopped in at Moomers Homemade Ice Cream in Traverse City, where he bought Cherries Moobilie cones for Stabenow and Gary Peters, Michigan's other Democratic senator. But for himself it was vanilla with chocolate chips in a waffle cone. New book on indigenous peoples relationship with the land explores the Prutehi Litekyan social movement in Guam President Joe Biden watches as hands are raised for the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 2, 2021. Residents are to be seated and observed after receiving their vaccination shots during the vaccination clinic at the Micronesia Mall in Dededo, Guam on Saturday afternoon. This April 21, 2017 photo shows a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane as Philippine troops march at the Philippine-claimed Thitu Island off the disputed Spratlys chain of islands in the South China Sea in western Philippines. South African Breweries (SAB), the National Liquor Traders Council, and the Beer Association of South Africa have taken a front-page wrap advertisement in the Sunday Times to slam the governments decision to implement another alcohol ban. The ban was implemented as part of the adjusted level 4 lockdown measures amid a surge of new Covid-19 cases due to the outbreak of the more dangerous Delta variant in South Africa. Dear National Coronavirus Command Council, give them an explanation that their families will understand, the advertisement reads, followed by a long list of taverns across South Africa that were forced to close. These are just some of the 45,000 taverns across South Africa compound that number by the families and communities that rely on them and begin to see the gravity of the impact of the latest alcohol ban, the ad stated. Some of the taverns listed above barely survived the three previous bans. Others werent as fortunate. The industry representatives said these taverners could no longer support themselves because the NCCC closed the tap on their income. Now, there will be more hands out and more mouths to feed. What will these people tell their families, their workers, their communities? What will happen to the 1 million jobs impacted by this? The organisations stated that they were never against safer and more responsible alcohol sales, and had even proposed and implemented their own. However, they accused the government of not consulting with them to collaborate on solutions. There are no economic support measures, no understanding of when these new restrictions will end, and no vaccine, the ad stated. It concluded with a call on the government to join the industry in establishing reasonable initiatives that can help save lives and livelihoods. President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the alcohol ban is necessary to reduce the number of trauma cases in hospitals to ensure there are enough beds for Covid-19 patients. He explained that measures implemented during lockdown alert level 3 did not appear to make a difference to trauma cases and that stricter rules were needed. During alert level 3, liquor stores were only allowed to sell alcohol between 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday, while restaurants and taverns were allowed to sell alcohol for on-site consumption. City Press reported that 91% of private and public hospital beds in Gauteng are currently full while the coronavirus cases in the province continue to rise. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases reported yesterday that South Africas daily new Covid-19 cases surged to a record 26,485 on Friday, with 16,091 of these cases recorded in Gauteng. I know that we have grown impatient with the constraints that have been placed on our lives, Ramaphosa said when he announced the adjusted alert level 3 lockdown on 15 June. I fully understand that you are all concerned about constraints that restrict your freedom to move around or to travel; your freedom to gather, to socialise, to worship; and, in some instances, your freedom to even earn a living, he said. Yet we also know that these restrictions have been effective in containing the spread of the virus. Support for South Africas alcohol ban to reduce trauma cases in hospitals is contained in a study by the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, funded by the South African Medical Research Council. It compared data on trauma admissions, operations, and stab wound admissions from the Worcester Regional Hospital between 2019 and 2020. The study authors found that each time a total ban was implemented, there was a big drop in trauma volume, which waned as partial alcohol sales were allowed to resume. However, a study funded by drinks manufacturer Distell has claimed that it was the stricter curfew and restrictions on peoples movements, not alcohol bans, which were the bigger reasons for the drop in trauma cases. The study which was carried out by independent data expert Ian McGorian and Professor Mike Murray of the University of KwaZulu-Natal said the argument that the alcohol ban was solely responsible for fewer trauma admissions was a weak one. South Africas trauma cases plummeted by around 60% during strict lockdown periods, which included measures such as an alcohol ban, curfews, and tough limits on gatherings and the movement of people. Using linear regression modelling, the researchers showed that the curfew had the strongest effect on reduced trauma admissions. Whichever way we tested it, once you put a curfew in place, you did not get a greater effect by banning alcohol, McGorian stated. He added that the findings were further substantiated by the fact that trauma cases in other countries had also dropped significantly during lockdown periods in countries with no alcohol bans. For example, the UK saw a 57% drop in trauma admissions, trauma cases in the US fell by 54%, Italy by 57%, Ireland by 62%, and Germany by 38%. The counterfactual cannot be ignored, said McGorian. This effect has been worldwide. A giant container ship that had blocked Egypts Suez Canal for nearly a week earlier this year will be released on July 7 following an agreement between authorities and the vessels owners, the canal authority said Sunday. A ceremony for the signing of the settlement agreement ending the dispute over the 400-meter-long Ever Given will be held on Wednesday, and the ship will be allowed to depart, the Suez Canal Authoritys media office said by phone. Earlier, Stann of London, the attorneys for the ships owner and insurers said that a formal solution had been agreed upon and that preparations for its departure were being made. Neither the SCA nor the attorneys provided details of the settlement. But the agreement marks an end to a dispute that arose after the Ever Given was freed after getting stuck in the vital waterway in March. The incident roiled global shipping markets. The canal authority had initially sought over $900 million in damages and compensation that included recovering expenses related to freeing the ship, lost revenue and other costs and claims. The figure was later lowered to $550 million. Japans Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd., the owner, and the ships insurers initially offered $150 million. The SCA brought the matter to an Egyptian court, which ordered the seizure of the ship pending resolution of the dispute. Authorities had said, however, that they were eager to reach an out-of-court agreement and that the ship would be allowed to leave once such a deal is reached. The ship was being held in the Great Bitter Lake about halfway along the canal. Now read: Law to change SABC TV licence system approved by Cabinet Image by Kees Torn. Young said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused multiple types of delays for both projects. It has taken time to get permits from the city as well as figure out what materials will be needed. Right now were picking up where we left off in spring 2020. We are moving forward as permits are approved, said Young. How developers work with artists Joe Peatman, trustee of the Peter A. and Vernice H. Gasser Foundation, said the members of the Foundation care about these local projects. We want the artwork to reflect what is going on with the buildings today. Everyone at the Gasser Foundation is into art. We like seeing art on the projects we build, especially pieces that are attractive, lasting, and colorful, said Peatman. The Gasser Foundation, the developer behind the South Napa Marketplace and South Napa Century Center, is required by Napas Public Art Ordinance to either install public art on the site of its developments or pay the same amount as an in-lieu fee into the city of Napas Art Fund. The art constructed must be equal in value to 1 percent of the construction costs of the development project. Napa County working with winter shelter residents to find 'housing opportunities' The winter shelter has been open continuously for the last year and a half. Ahead of its closure June 15, Napa County says it is working to relocate shelter residents. Whatever paths Napa city, county, and their contracted shelter operator and service provider Abode Services eventually take appeared far overdue to some of the seven letter-writers who commented during the June forum, including some who alleged the city is allowing RV owners and other unhoused people to degrade the quality of life for those living in south Napas River Park area. We are tired of policing our own neighborhood, calling the city over and over again only to get a head pat to pacify us, wrote Diane Brown, describing drinking, drug use and human waste near Cabot Way, as well as constant re-parking of RVs to evade city red-tag warnings. The city tells us that the homeless have rights. What about our rights? We are voters and taxpayers who deserve to have our concerns and problems dealt with. Napa Countys annual point-in-time census of unsheltered people was canceled in January due to COVID-19 concerns, but Brandon Gardner, Napa Polices liaison to the homeless community, described a growing number of transients over the past year and a half. In January, after the attack, General Electric said it would halt donations to lawmakers who voted against certification because we believe it is important to ensure that our future contributions continue to reflect our companys values and commitment to democracy. But that's not exactly what happened. In April, General Electric gave $15,000 each to the House and Senate GOP election groups. Likewise, Pfizer pledged to suspend contributions to Republican objectors for six months. But after only three months, it gave $20,000 to the GOP's Senate group. Pfizer spokeswoman Sharon Castillo told the AP that the company drew a distinction between giving money to individual lawmakers and to groups created to help those same lawmakers. We just dont think it is an accurate connection, she said. Yet she said Pfizer had no commitment from the Senate election committee that the company's donation would not be used to benefit the eight senators who voted against certification. AT&T also pledged not to give money to lawmakers who objected, but the company sent $5,000 in February to the House Conservatives Fund. Company spokeswoman Margaret Boles said AT&T received assurances the money would not flow to lawmakers who objected to election results, though the PAC is led by a lawmaker who did. Washington state authorities have linked about 30 deaths to the heat, with more reports coming in each day this week. I think, over time, we will understand that the numbers are only going to climb," said Dr. Steve Mitchell, director of Harborview Medical Center's Emergency Medicine Department in Seattle. "I know, in my experience, that Im expecting to see much larger numbers than what we are currently able to report because of talking to EMS colleagues who were experiencing twice as many calls for help that day. There were 1,792 emergency room visits for suspected heat-related illness since June 25, the Washington state Department of Health said Thursday. Of those visits, 21% required people to be admitted to the hospital. Monday had the most emergency room visits, with 702, the health department said. It was the hottest day of the heat wave in many areas, with Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and other cities smashing all-time heat records. It reached 108 F (42 C) in Seattle, and 116 F (47) in Oregon's largest city. With this latest heat emergency, when we were dealing with it, the only thing comparable at Harborview and in the region that weve experienced recently was actually the early days of COVID," Mitchell said. Darlene Sherill's cabin went up in flames Wednesday afternoon. She and her husband, who live in Danville, moved in last November and had filled it with his home-built furniture. It feels very much like a violation to have a fire come to your home and destroy it, probably within minutes, Sherrill told the San Francisco Chronicle by phone from a Redding hotel on Friday. Authorities suspect that it started from a hot piece of metal that flew off a car or truck on Interstate 5. They haven't found the vehicle. The largest blaze, the Lava Fire burning partly on the flanks of Mount Shasta, was 36% contained after burning more than 38 square miles (100 square kilometers). The blaze, sparked by a lightning strike June 25, forced several thousand people from their homes, but most of them were allowed to return late Thursday. Still, officials at a community meeting Saturday acknowledged the frustration and asked for patience, saying they don't want to let people back in and have flames spread quickly. The concern is repopulating too soon and having this be aggressive, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue said. Fairly quickly, however, John Adams got overruled by events. Philadelphia and Boston led the way by hosting festivals on July 4, 1777, to mark the one-year anniversary. George Washington solidified the custom a year later by ordering a double ration of rum for his troops on July 4, 1778. Massachusetts sealed the deal by making July 4 a state holiday in 1781. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1870, and then made it an official day off for federal workers in 1941. Forgettable or inscrutable as much of the Declaration is, however, its worth remembering the good parts. It is true that the authors and signers did not in fact think all men are created equal when it came to Black and Native people, and not at all to women of any sort, but the language set down a clear marker for later generations to form a more perfect union, a union were still working to perfect. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, the Founders wrote. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Azerbaijan MFA: Visits to Shushi are being made and will be made Armenia MOD: 38-year-old contractual serviceman dies after Azerbaijani army's provocation on border Armenia Constitutional Court announces end of examination of 4 political parties' claim against election results Parliament: Azerbaijan trying to form circle of supporters of its occupation plan against Artsakh Karabakh defense army: Our units did not open fire on Azerbaijan positions at Shushi outskirts Armenia bloc representative at Constitutional Court: Parliamentary election results do not reflect peoples will Armenia acting premier: I expect more effective, decisive actions from Investigative Committee Armenia President visits French embassy on France National Day Armenia National Security Service, police apprehend Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine employees Two Armenian captives 'trial' continues in Azerbaijan Armenia bloc member: NSS special detachment broke into Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine over walls, gates Vast majority of foreigners being vaccinated against COVID-19 at Armenia mobile points are Iranians Exchange of fire on Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Armenian side has one casualty Pashinyan to Macron: I look forward to hosting you in Armenia in near future as part of state visit 159 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Day 6: Representatives of Armenia political forces appealing to Constitutional Court to deliver closing remarks World oil prices falling Armenias Meghri has acting mayor Armenia Security Council chief dismissed Turkeys Erdogan pays $30.5m to Trump allies Newspaper: What will happen if Armenia Constitutional Court reduces ruling party seats in new parliament? Newspaper: Azerbaijanis sell Armenian national currency 3,000 people sentenced in Turkey to life in prison on 2016 state coup attempt case Holy Etchmiadzin responds to false announcements of Grand Mufti of Azerbaijan made in Artsakhs Shushi Karabakh: Azerbaijan is now destroying the Armenian "Green Church" Azerbaijan ex-FM: Azeris can't remove Russian peacekeepers from Karabakh and bring the tanks Alexei Overchuk discusses with Ilham Aliyev issue of organizing a Russian business mission in Azerbaijan Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of 8 more servicemen found in occupied territories of Artsakh Karabakh Ombudsman: Gunshots were fired in vicinity of Shushi 1-year-old Armenian boy returned to Armenia from Russia's Tula Oblast, child's mother is dead and father is detained Armenia acting PM holds phone talks with US Secretary of State at latter's initiative Nikol Pashinyan says government will continue to support programs of Football Federation of Armenia Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Secretary General on Putin's statement on Armenia: Bad peace is better than good war US includes Armenia in Level 2: Moderate group in terms of improvement of epidemiological situation Armenia prosecution submits motion to Central Electoral Commission to strip Sisian mayor of immunity Lawyer submits report on crime to Armenia Prosecutor General Armenia President signs several laws Parties to give final speeches at tomorrow's session of Armenia Constitutional Court Putin-Lukashenko talks last more than 5 hours ArmLur.am: Armenia authorities finally decide to appoint Security Council Secretary to position of FM Armenia President receives chiefs of Police, National Security Service and State Protection Service Armenia Constitutional Court ends closed-door session, leaves for consultation room Haitian authorities intend to hold general elections by the end of the year Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister Arsen Avakov resigns Armenia acting MOD receives Deputy Chief of General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Presidents of Israel and Turkey discuss bilateral relations Heads of a number of diplomatic missions accredited to Armenia invited to MFA Armenia Judicial Department Head Karen Poladyan resigns Digest: Armenia town mayor is arrested, 11 people get lost while climbing Mount Aragats Tehran announces readiness to release American prisoners in exchange for Iranian prisoners in US New emergency situations service building opened in Karabakh's Askeran with Tovmasyan Fund's support Armenian man's foot amputated after he was injured in mine explosion in Artsakh Truck loaded with stones falls into gulch in Armenias Kotayk, driver dies on the spot Armenia Constitutional Court to continue session behind closed doors Armenia Constitutional Court adopts decisions regarding motions Armenia 1st ombudsperson: Fairly small expectations from Constitutional Court consideration of opposition appeal One dollar reaches AMD 496 in Armenia Lawyer: Fraud during Armenia snap parliamentary elections was considerable, large-scale. IDBank's Visa Digital card: another key to online and contactless payments $18.7m to be invested in Armenia for next 8 years to establish new forests Ilham Aliyev receives Russia Deputy PM Alexei Overchuk Brother of mayor of Armenia's Masis arrested Armenia Security Council holds session chaired by Nikol Pashinyan Yerevan to have new master plan in 2 years Hraparak.am: No to corridor for Azerbaijan but road issue being discussed, not ruled out via Armenias Meghri Taliban say they will oppose Turkish forces if they do not withdraw from Afghanistan Maduro says there have been two assassination attempts MFA strongly condemns organizing of foreign diplomats visit to occupied Artsakh territories Ombudsman: A key issue when determining Armenia state borders is protection degree of border communities residents Tatoyan: Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation, demarcation impossible under current conditions Azerbaijan state agency publicizes data that that Baku is trying to conceal Armenia acting justice minister has assumption about reasons for 'absence' of 300-320,000 voters 13,342 Armenia citizens visit Georgia since reopening of borders Pompeo: US should support protesters in Cuba Armenia North-South road corridor 50km section construction in full swing (VIDEO) 138 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Congressman Schiff: Armenian Americans enrich our customs, traditions, communities World oil prices on the rise 11-person group gets lost while climbing to top of Armenias Mount Aragats Day 5: Armenia Constitutional Court continues considering 4 opposition political forces petition Ex-mayor of Armenias Meghri is arrested, says his lawyer Newspaper: Armenia acting PM meets with parliament ruling faction Newspaper: Armenia authorities to change model of government? Greece society outraged over their ambassadors visit to occupied Armenian Shushi city of Artsakh At least 44 people killed, over 67 injured in fire at coronavirus hospital in Iraq Newspaper: Issue of appointing Armenian FM is deadlocked Cuba President blames US sanctions for economic issues Armenia's ruling Civil Contract Party representative: President wasn't constraint to set date for snap elections UN: Global hunger skyrockets in pandemic year Armenia ruling party's representative: Nikol Pashinyan's statements are out of context Police chief of Armenia's Stepanavan prevents 27-year-old contractual serviceman from committing suicide Opposition 'Armenia' bloc: There is absolute lawlessness in the country India proposes number of new population control measures Protests demanding Georgia PM's resignation resume in front of parliament building UK Parliament to debate bill on Armenian Genocide recognition in December Truck driver rolls over into gorge in Yerevan and dies Motion filed with court to arrest ex-mayor of Armenia's Meghri EU creates its plan to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative Court rules to arrest head of Armenia's Vorotan village for two months Artsakh Parliament Speaker visits Karabakh Government's Headquarters in Armenia The Tech week Artsakh 2021 conference has kicked off in Stepanakert, the Artsakh government reported. State Minister of the Artsakh Republic Artak Beglaryan made a welcoming speech on June 3 at the opening of the conference. He thanked the organizers for accepting his offer and holding this major technological event in Artsakh. By organizing this large-scale technological event in Artsakh, in addition to the main goals pursued by such conferences, we set ourselves a number of other goals. In particular, we strove to change the post-war mood in Artsakh, to show that life goes on, and we must make efforts to solve existing problems and the long-term development of the Motherland. The next goal is to change the post-war mood in the Republic of Armenia by facilitating visits to Artsakh and practical efforts to support the wounded Artsakh. The third goal, of course, is the development of the IT sector in Artsakh, the creation of favorable conditions for the implementation of relevant educational and business programs. I am very glad that we managed to organize this conference. I thank all the organizers and participants, Artak Beglaryan said. The conference is attended by about 1,500 people, more than 400 of whom came from Armenia, including representatives of recognized IT companies, the Artsakh government said in a statement. Disciplined services back police on knife attack The statement condemned Thursday's stabbing of a police officer in Causeway Bay. Photo: RTHK The heads of five of Hong Kong's disciplined services on Saturday issued a joint statement condemning the knife attack on a policeman in Causeway Bay on Thursday. The officer, who is now in a stable condition after being critical, had been on duty near the Sogo department store. His assailant, a 50-year-old man, died after stabbing himself in the chest. "We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in which a police officer on duty was attacked with a knife on July 1, and later some people even glorified the act of the attacker as heroism on social media. We fully support the Police's resolute enforcement actions and would like to thank the police officers for their commitment to duties. We also wish the injured police officer a speedy recovery and extend our regards to his family members," the statement said. The statement slammed online support for the assailant, saying it could have catastrophic consequences by encouraging copycat attacks. It said the disciplined forces would remain united and fully co-operate with the Police. Earlier in the day, security chief Chris Tang condemned those whom, he said, were glorifying terrorism and encouraging violence, following the stabbing. Speaking to reporters, Tang said he was shocked that some people had brought their children to mourn the attacker. White flowers, associated with mourning, had been laid near the department store. The stabbing took place late on July 1, a public holiday marking SAR Establishment Day, which also coincided with the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party. There had been a heavy police presence in Causeway Bay, and nearby Victoria Park, to stop people gathering for an annual pro-democracy march. The police had banned the march for a second year due to the pandemic. The statement also praised Beijing's imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong, saying it had restored order in the SAR. The statement was issued in the name of the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang; the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming; the Director of Fire Services, Mr Joseph Leung; the Director of Immigration, Mr Au Ka-wang; and the Controller of the Government Flying Service, Captain Wu Wai-hun. National security police to investigate knife attack Police say those who mourn the attacker are no different from supporting terrorism. File Photo: RTHK Police said on Sunday that its national security department has taken over the case of a knife attack on a policeman in Causeway Bay on Thursday, and warned people against mourning the attacker who had committed suicide. The officer, who is now in a stable condition, had been on duty near the Sogo department store. His assailant, a 50-year-old man, died after stabbing himself in the chest. In a statement, the force said some people had been posting messages online and encouraging others to pay tribute and mourn the attacker in a bid to glorify, romanticise, make heroic and even rationalise the blatant violence. A police spokesman said this was no different from supporting terrorism. It will incite further hatred, divide the society and eventually breach social order and endanger public safety, threatening everyone in Hong Kong, he warned. Members of the public should remain rational, discern fact from fallacy and not to tolerate or glorify violence. We should not let misinformation mislead the next generation into going astray or even worse to become terrorists. The police said even though an initial probe suggests the attack was a lone wolf-style act of domestic terrorism, its national security department will take over the case and investigate whether there was any accomplice involved, whether the attacker was incited by others, and whether there was any person in control behind the scene. The force appealed to anyone who has information to contact them via the national security reporting hotline. Three men were shot, one fatally, in Little Village on Saturday evening, according to Chicago police. Just before 7 p.m., a citizen called police after seeing a vehicle driving north, slowing down and bumping a curb, police said. Officers responded to the 4200 block of South Cicero Avenue and found a man in his 20s with three gunshot wounds to the torso. He was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. A 32-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were also found both shot once in the arm, police said. They were both taken to Mount Sinai in good condition. A witness told police that someone in a black Audi SUV shot at all the men, police said. No arrests have been made, police said. The shooting is under investigation. pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry Griselda Urbina holds a necklace that belonged to her late husband, Dario, who died of complications from COVID-19 last July. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angles Times) The Times interviewed 10 Southern Californians about what the Fourth of July means to them this year, after the hell year that was 2020. A taco truck owner feels free because he became a U.S. citizen. An activist dwells on who is not free Black and brown Americans. A doctor mourns the lives lost to COVID-19. A single mom who was just laid off looks forward to a few days of relaxation. All who were interviewed appreciate the freedom that they have but also understand its ever-tenuous as the pandemic continues. Times photographer Jay L. Clendenin created portraits of these Californians using black-and-white large-format film, and staff writer Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and photo editor Keith Bedford contributed reporting. See Gustavo Arellano's column here. Dr. Jerry Abraham Los Angeles | Director of the COVID-19 vaccination program at Kedren Community Health Center (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) I struggle knowing 600,000-plus Americans will not celebrate this July 4. They are gone from this world because of the terrible pandemic that wreaked havoc. If you can remember July 4 last year, right? The social distancing, the isolation, the masks, the hand washing, we did not have vaccines then. We missed out on so much missed memories, missed moments, missed celebrations and birthdays, you know, and that this year now we can get back to life. Back to work. Back to school. Back to church. Back to, you know, playing in the park with our friends and loving and kissing on Grandma. So that to me is freedom. That to me is independence. That is something that we should celebrate this July 4, that many of us are literally getting a second shot that we may not have had, and we should not take that for granted. And we need to get back to reclaiming all the missed life from the last, you know, 15, 20 months, for sure." Dr. Jerry Abraham Miya Iwataki South Pasadena | Activist and member of Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "I feel energized by the new generation, who are stepping up and reimagining new strategies for tough issues [but] just look around our health system, and you see all these cracks where people of color are just falling through. And even though I have my COVID shots, I don't still really feel independent of a disease or a pandemic with the continuing lack of quality healthcare that I see in many low-income communities." Story continues Miya Iwataki Michelle Reyes Santa Ana | Special education instructor and DJ (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "All of my dreams are coming true, but they're not for other people. All of my dreams are coming true, but there's kids in cages. All of my dreams are coming true, but my city suffered tremendously. I can be liberated and also exist in a way that makes me feel not free." Michelle Reyes Jamie Eagan and her daughter Marina Los Angeles | Single mom who was laid off during the pandemic (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "It was like once I walked through that and had that happen, and it's almost like having your worst nightmare come true and realizing that you're OK. You're going to be OK, and you will do what you have to do to get by and survive. It gives you a sense of freedom that you would not think it would give you." Jamie Eagan, on losing her job during the pandemic last year Max Thayer West Hollywood | Vietnam-era Army veteran, who was hospitalized for two months with COVID-19 (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "I think a lot of people think that they're finished with COVID, but I don't think COVID is finished with us. I'm just, I'm not ready just to drop my guard yet. I'm not ready to, to push a reset button and think everything is back to normal, because I don't think in my lifetime anything ever will go back to quote-unquote 'normal.'" Max Thayer Etienne Maurice Los Angeles | Founder of WalkGood LA (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "The opportunities and resources are still limited when it comes to Black and brown folks in America. And to be honest, that isn't independent and we have still yet to obtain that independence. Now, am I hopeful? Yes, but we have so much more to go." Etienne Maurice Kaytan Shah Lynwood | Counselor at Lynwood High School (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "I wasn't really fearful of COVID, but it caused a lot of reflection, along with George Floyd and the anti-Asian American stuff. They said all men were created equal, but it was all white men. I honestly feel Americans are going through an identity crisis. And so I find Independence Day a good avenue of discussion, if we can have respectful, constructive dialogue and empathy." Kaytan Shah Raul Ortega Los Angeles | Owner of the Mariscos Jalisco food truck (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "It gives me more and more freedom, more opportunities here. I still have my Mexican feelings, but other cultures don't have the privileges that we have here. And it's an honor to be a U.S. citizen." Raul Ortega, who is celebrating his first Fourth of July as a naturalized U.S. citizen this year Dwight Singleton Studio City | Living in Project Roomkey housing after being homeless for more than 20 years (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Now that people are coming back out, it doesnt seem like its the same. People are not very friendly anymore. People are kind of like, sort of like seem kind of insecure. They seem unreachable. Dwight Singleton Griselda Urbina Inglewood | Lost her husband, Dario, to complications from COVID-19 on July 6, 2020 (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) "COVID will not have us suffering. We've suffered a lot, we lost my husband. What more can we lose? And I stopped feeling fear." Griselda Urbina This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. As American troops left their main military base in Afghanistan on Friday, marking a symbolic end to the longest war in U.S. history, locals living in the shadow of the base and in nearby Kabul were bracing for what comes next. Violence has been raging throughout Afghanistan in the weeks since President Joe Biden announced troops would withdraw unconditionally by Sept. 11. With peace talks in Qatar stuttering, and roughly a quarter of the country's districts having fallen to the Taliban in recent weeks according to one study, many are concerned that chaos looms. Kabul Resident, Abdul Sediq Joyenda says those with enough money are fleeing the country as American troops leave and citizens arm themselves. A mechanic in Bagram named Mir expressed a sense of sadness and futility, saying, "What was the point of all the destruction, killing and misery they brought us?" Kabul Resident, Ezmarai Wafa fears the Taliban will seize the moment. "Not only me, but all Afghans are worried that the Taliban will take over Afghanistan as U.S. troops leave the country. No one in Afghanistan is completely satisfied with the Taliban. From the day the issue of the withdrawal of foreign troops arose, it has had negative impact on daily work of people." Security experts like Dawlat Waziri believe that despite the surge in violence, it was unlikely that the Taliban could take power because, in his words, "no one will accept them." More than 3,500 foreign troops have been killed in the two-decades long war, which has claimed over 100,000 civilians since 2009 alone, according to United Nations records. Amanda Holden has revealed she was once told to steal food on a holiday with her mother. (Brett Cove/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Amanda Holden has confessed her mother once told her to steal food for breakfast while they were strapped for cash during a childhood holiday. The 50-year-old presenter told comedian Alan Carr on his Life's a Beach podcast that her mum directed her to nab some cereal while on a ferry. Read more: Amanda Holden celebrates 50th birthday with 50 gifts She said: "We'd spent all our money on holiday and we came back on a ferry and my mum told me to go and nick milk and Sugar Puffs from the breakfast queue. "She said to me: 'Amanda, if you want any breakfast you'll have to steal it'." Holden later joked that her mum would "kill me for admitting this", after she made the revelation. Watch: Amanda Holden upset at 2,500 holiday COVID-19 test bill Holden's successful TV and radio career means she now doesn't have to worry about the cost of breakfast, but she discussed her own recent trip to Portugal in which she had to shell out several thousand pounds on COVID-19 testing. The presenter revealed she and her family travelled to the European country during the time when it was on the government's green list for travel. Read more: Holden poses naked with 50 notes to promote radio competition She said: "We went from the Friday to the Friday, but getting there cost over 2,500 in tests, which I don't want to rant on and on about it, but I think that is taking advantage of the British public. "I'm in a position where I can afford to chuck that money. It's a huge amount of money. Someone's taking the p**s. "If I'd chose to, I could have got in a queue at Faro airport and got one for 25 (21.46), but I probably would have caught COVID as well, because the queue was round the block." Alan Carr and Amanda Holden (pictured here on ITV show 'DNA Journey') discussed travel on the former's podcast 'Life's a Beach'. (ITV/Voltage TV and Mitre Television) Holden has been critical of some of the government's rule changes during the recent months of the pandemic and recently sparked controversy by sharing a poster for an anti-lockdown march on her Instagram. Story continues In February, she admitted to breaching lockdown rules by driving more than 200 miles after receiving a "concerning" phone call from her elderly father. Read more: Holden wanted government to act faster on travel rules Her agent made it clear that Holden "did not act on a whim and has adhered to COVID rules every step of the way in all three lockdowns". Also on Carr's podcast, Holden admitted that she and her husband once tried and failed in an attempt to join the Mile High Club while on a flight. Watch: Amanda Holden shamed for Britain's Got Talent outfit Bravo In a recent Instagram share, Dr. Wendy Osefo showed off her vacation style in a string bikini, and the skimpy look put all of Wendy's freshly tweaked assets on display. But first, some context: In the Season 6 premiere of The Real Housewives of Potomac, which aired on July 11, Wendy pointed to her chest when producers asked her "what's new?" Smiling, the professor replied: "What's new? My two new friends!" In her interview, Wendy shared the scoop on her recent breast augmentation. "I breastfed a The Supreme Court of Belize has denied bail for the longtime partner of a British billionaire's son who's been charged in the fatal shooting of a top police officer in the Central American country. A judge decided Wednesday to reject a bail application for Jasmine Hartin and adjourn the matter until next week, after Belize's head prosecutor submitted an objection to the court on the grounds that she presented a "serious flight risk." The judge has requested that prosecutors submit a formal objection with full arguments by Friday, while the defense team has until Monday to respond. The next bail hearing is scheduled for June 9. Hartin, a Canadian citizen who lives in Belize with her family, will remain in custody at least until then at Belize Central Prison in the village of Hattieville, west of the capital, Belize City. MORE: Partner of British billionaire's son arrested in fatal shooting of Belize policeman Hartin's attorney, Godfrey Smith, told reporters outside the courthouse on Wednesday that the judge also expressed "disapproval of the kind of media publicity" that the case is receiving and said he has "no intention of contributing to that." Hartin had been denied bail by a lower court in the resort town of San Pedro on Monday, after she was charged with manslaughter by negligence. Her lawyer then appealed the decision to the supreme court in Belize City. PHOTO: Jasmine Hartin attends an opening of a resort in Belize, in May 2021. (Channel 5 Belize) The charge stems from the death of Henry Jemmott, superintendent of the Belize Police Department, whose body was discovered early Friday in the water off a San Pedro pier with one apparent gunshot wound behind his right ear, according to Chester Williams, commissioner of the Belize Police Department. "The injury is not consistent with suicide, and the manner of death is homicide," Williams told reporters on Monday. Hartin "was somewhat in an emotional state walking herself on the pier" when police found her near Jemmott's body with "what appeared to be blood on her arms and on her clothing," Williams said during a press conference on Friday. Story continues MORE: American woman vanishes while on vacation in Belize "We believe that she is to some extent affected by it," Williams told reporters. Police recovered Jemmott's service weapon from the scene. The incident "seems rather personal and not an attack on law enforcement," Williams said. Investigators believe the pair were friends and had been drinking. They were alone together on the pier and were both found fully clothed, according to Williams. "We owe it to him to ensure that we investigate properly," he said. PHOTO: Jasmine Hartin attends an opening of a resort in Belize, in May 2021. (Channel 5 Belize) Hartin is the director of lifestyle and experience at Alaia Belize, a boutique resort in San Pedro run by her husband, real estate developer Andrew Ashcroft, in partnership with hotel giant Marriott International, according to Hartin's biography on the resort's website and her LinkedIn profile. Andrew Ashcroft also referred to Hartin as his wife during the resort's grand opening last month, but it was unclear whether they are legally married. The couple have two children. Andrew Ashcroft is the youngest son of Lord Michael Ashcroft, a major financial backer of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom and its former deputy chairman. Lord Michael Ashcroft, who holds dual U.K. and Belizean citizenship, has an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion, according to Forbes. Belize's police commissioner said the Canadian socialite will receive "no special treatment." "Her social stature should not affect how she is to be treated or should not allow her to be treated different than any ordinary person who has committed a crime," Williams told local media on Tuesday. MORE: Jailed hero of 'Hotel Rwanda' claims he was tortured at 'slaughterhouse' after arriving in Kigali Jemmott's family said they are desperate for answers. He leaves behind five children and a fiancee. "What happened? We don't know, I don't know," Jemmott's sister, Marie Jemmott Tzul, told reporters on Monday. "So we are depending on the police investigation to set the record straight for us." ABC News' Kirit Radia, Christine Theodorou, Alondra Valle and Dion Vansen contributed to this report. Belize's supreme court denies bail to partner of British billionaire's son after policeman's death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A body discovered in Nevada earlier this year has been identified as a New Mexico woman missing since 2019 - and her boyfriend is facing murder and kidnapping charges, the Farmington Police Department announced Friday. Cecelia Barber Finona, a 59-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was last seen on May 30, 2019. The Navajo womans remains were found in February 2021 in Clark County, Nevada and were identified through DNA on June 30, according to the police department's press release. Cecelia Barber Finona On Friday, authorities also announced that Cecelias boyfriend, Jerry Jay, has been charged with her kidnapping and murder. He is still in custody on charges from June of 2019. Cecelia was last seen by family members on May 30, 2019 and was reported missing on June 1, 2019. Evidence found at the home they shared led Farmington detectives to be very concerned for the Cecelias safety. Jay was arrested on June 5 after he used Cecelias debit card at an ATM in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also used her cards in Farmington, New Mexico, Window Rock, Arizona and Kingman, Arizona, police said. The total withdrawn was more than $1,200. Farmington Police say foul play was suspected from the beginning. Family members told police the couple had been arguing the night she went missing. According to court documents, blood at Finonas home stretched from the bottom of the porch to the driveway and it appeared someone had tried to cover it with potting soil. A single eyeglass lens covered in blood also was found, police said. Farmington detectives have been working closely with several law enforcement agencies, including Sparks Police Department and Las Vegas Metro Police Department, in their search for Cecelia since she went missing in late May of 2019. On Friday, July 2, police filed the charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence against Jerry Jay. Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe issued the following statement regarding this case, Today we have very mixed feelings, Chief Hebbe said in a statement. This marks the ending of two years of searching, and were deeply saddened at the outcome. We will continue working as we have since the day she disappeared to ensure the person responsible for this is held accountable. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to Cecelias family and friends. Story continues Cecelia was featured in Dateline NBCs Missing in America in July of 2019. Her daughter, Julietta Faria, told Dateline the last time she spoke to her mother was the day before she disappeared. She added that Cecelia had been excited for her nephews upcoming graduation. Cecelia had just returned to New Mexico after 31 years in the U.S. Army. Months before her disappearance, she was featured in the Farmington Daily Times in a story about women in the military being honored in Shiprock. Her family described her as a good-hearted person who cared about people and a leader in the community who made a difference. In light of the news, Cecelias family posted a statement to the Facebook page Bring Cece Home. We will Bring Cece Home!!! With the support, energy, and relentless effort of family, friends and loved ones bringing Cecelia Finona has came true. It has been 2 long years with every emotion spent. We are relieved to bring closure to many and finally lay her to rest. Anyone with more information about Cecelias case is asked to contact Detective Daven Badoni at 505-599-1005 or the Farmington Police Department tip hotline at 505-599-1068. This July 2021 photo released by the ATF/United States Attorney's Office Central District of California, shows boxes of illegal large homemade fireworks explosives in South Los Angeles. ATF/United States Attorney's Office Central District of California via AP A California man was arrested after illegal homemade fireworks were found in his home, seized, and later exploded in his neighborhood, the DOJ said. Arturo Ceja was charged with transporting explosives without a license. Seventeen people, including law enforcement officers, were injured, CBSLA reported. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A California man was arrested and charged after illegal fireworks found by authorities on his property exploded in a South Los Angeles neighborhood, leaving 17 people, including law enforcement officers, injured last week. On Wednesday, Los Angeles police officers arrived at Arturo Ceja's home after getting a tip about him storing the fireworks in his backyard, according to the Department of Justice. Local authorities discovered 500 boxes of commercial-grade fireworks, which they initially estimated at 5,000 pounds. Authorities from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireworks, and Explosives later concluded that Ceja had more than approximately over 30,000 pounds of fireworks in his yard, according to the DOJ. In addition, authorities found more than 140 homemade fireworks in his home. After the devices were seized from Ceja's residence, the local bomb squad attempted to detonate the homemade fireworks after they deemed it was "not safe to transport due to risk of detonation in a densely populated area and therefore would be destroyed on scene using a total containment vessel," the DOJ said, adding that "during the destruction of the devices, the entire TCV exploded, causing a massive blast radius, damaging homes in the neighborhood." The explosion also resulted in multiple injuries, according to CBS Los Angeles. A video posted by the outlet shows the blast that also left some residents of the South Los Angeles neighborhood displaced. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "All we hear was just a boom and then the next thing you know, everything just fell on the ground, our shelves, bookshelves, everything," a neighbor, Miguel Avila, told CBSLA. Story continues The DOJ said Ceja traveled to Nevada multiple times last month to buy "various types of explosives - including aerial displays and large homemade fireworks containing explosive materials - that he transported to his residence in rental vans." He purchased the explosives out of the trunk of a firework dealer's car at Area 51, according to the DOJ. The DOJ added that "fireworks in California can be sold for as much as four times what purchasers pay for the fireworks in Nevada." The 27-year-old was charged with transporting explosives without a license and is facing up to 10 years in prison, according to CBSLA. Read the original article on Insider Didi sign is seen on a car during the China Internet Conference in Beijing. Reuters Chinese regulators' suspension of the Didi app comes days after the company's New York IPO. China's cyberspace agency accused the company of "serious violations" of in both collecting and using personal data. The company has said it would comply with the ban and make required changes. See more stories on Insider's business page. China on Sunday banned app stores from offering the Didi application, saying the ride-hailing company has been illegally collecting and using the personal data of users. The move comes days after the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. China has increasingly clamped down on big tech over issues ranging from anti-competitive behavior to privacy and security. Last week, its cyberspace agency said it had launched an investigation into Didi to protect the safety of citizens and its national security. The Cyberspace Administration of China said Sunday on its website that the investigation found the Didi app "has serious violations of laws and regulations" in both collecting and using personal information. App stores were notified to remove Didi and "strictly follow the legal requirements." The statement did not say what kind of information was allegedly being unlawfully collected or used. Didi said in a statement posted on Weibo that it would comply and make necessary changes. Registration of new users has been suspended and the app "will be removed from the shelves for rectification in strict accordance with the requirements of the relevant departments," the statement said. Users who have downloaded the Didi App can use it normally, and passengers' travel and driver's orders will not be affected, the statement said. Didi is the second-largest ride-hailing app by market value in the world with a valuation of about $86 billion. Uber currently has a valuation of about $93 billion, while Lyft trades at a $20 billion valuation. Shares of Didi soared as much as 28% in its IPO debut in New York on Wednesday. The company's debut was the second-largest among Chinese companies after e-commerce giant Alibaba's initial public offering in 2014. Didi sports a number of high-profile investors, including Apple, which invested $1 billion in the ride-hailing company in 2016. Meanwhile, the SoftBank Vision Fund holds a 21.5% stake in Didi, while Uber and Tencent own a 12.8% and 6.8% stake in the company, respectively, according to Bloomberg. Read the original article on Business Insider The Cyberspace Administration of China on Sunday banned ride-hail giant DiDi from app stores, Bloomberg reports. Why it matters: DiDi, known as the Uber of China, went public this past Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange at a $73 billion valuation. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Approximately 98.4% of its revenue comes the company's from Chinese operations, making it incredibly dependent on the national market. Its removal from app stores could potentially heavily affect the company's value. What they're saying: DiDi "said on its official social media account that it had already halted new user registrations as of July 3 and was now working to rectify its app in accordance with regulatory requirements," Bloomberg writes. State of play: The announcement comes two days after regulators announced they were starting a cybersecurity review after the company announced intentions to IPO. DiDi was not allowed to register new users while the investigation was underway, Reuters notes. DiDi had told Reuters it would conduct an examination of cybersecurity risks and fully cooperate with the Chinese government. The big picture: The Chinese government is toughening up against the country's largest tech companies as they become more influential. In December, regulators said they were investigating the Alibaba Group on suspicion of monopoly. The group amassed millions of users and had been "gaining influence over almost every aspect of daily life in China," Bloomberg wrote at the time. Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma went missing for three months after meeting with regulators for giving a speech in which he opposed the Chinese government. Once he reappeared, analysts said he kept a low profile as a result of his controversial statements, per the BBC. Between the lines: DiDi can continue operating for those people who already have the app installed on their devices. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. A student holds a U.S. flag upside down at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. The Idaho Senate has approved legislation aimed at preventing schools and universities from "indoctrinating" students through teaching critical race theory, which examines the ways in which race and racism influence American politics, culture and the law. (Darin Oswald / Idaho Statesman ) What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass asked in an 1852 oration in Rochester, N.Y. The holiday is yours, not mine, he said, denouncing the gross injustice and cruelty that was American slavery. Not a decade later, our nation had fallen apart. Today, the United States is more divided than at any point since the 1960s if not the 1850s. Americans disagree even on how to define liberty, equality and justice for all, much less what actions to take to advance these noble ideals. The year 1968 was marked by assassinations and a deepening quagmire in Vietnam. The year 2021 has been marked by a violent insurrection at the Capitol and withdrawal from a "forever war" in Afghanistan. Surely one cause of our present disunity is the fracturing of the information ecosystem. Networks such as Fox News Channel and MSNBC offer diametrically opposing world views. Only 29% of Americans say they trust the news media. Mainstream publications like the one you are reading have struggled to remain relevant. A tsunami of misinformation and falsehoods, whether peddled by elected officials and their partisans here or malefactors overseas, has sowed doubt and confusion over the simplest of behaviors wearing a mask, staying six feet from others, getting vaccinated that are necessary to get the pandemic under control. Without agreement on a common set of facts, it is impossible to understand, much less debate, differences of opinion. One result of this fracturing is that two Americas one tending to be rural, white, old, working-class, male, less educated, inland and religious; the other tending to be urban, multiracial, young, upwardly mobile, female, better educated, coastal and secular have emerged, and they don't talk to each other. For example, corporations, universities, nonprofit groups, news organizations and other institutions are grappling with the consequences of systemic racism and trying to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. But in the right-wing echo chamber, critical race theory an academic movement originating in the 1970s has become the latest obsession, with commentators in that milieu claiming falsely that thinking critically about race and power is akin to stoking hatred. Story continues Divisions over race and racism are the obvious fault line in today's America, but there are many others, above all the widening inequality of income and wealth that has eroded the middle class and left many Americans worried that their children will not enjoy the same access to education and standard of living that they had. For many Americans, today is not the day to ponder these problems, but rather to throw hot dogs and burgers on the grill, watch their cities' fireworks displays and spend time with their families. It is indeed heartening that families can celebrate together, after more than a year of stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions and other health mandates that physically separated them. But today is also a day to reflect. This is the first Independence Day after the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, which marks the "new birth of freedom" to which the Civil War gave rise. It is the first Independence Day since President Biden took office, vowing to repair a nation shattered by his predecessor's outrageous lies, threats and abuses. Five years from today, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of its Declaration of Independence, the start of a revolution that inspired similar movements for freedom worldwide, from Haiti to Latin America to Europe. Will we make it that far? The unity of these States of America is not guaranteed; our nation fell apart once, and it could do so again. Above all, this Fourth of July should remind us of the fragility of our democracy and the urgency of improving it. This Fourth July is yours, not mine, Douglass said in his 1852 oration, arguably the finest ever written about Independence Day. You may rejoice, I must mourn. An America of robust health and shared prosperity, an America open to immigration and innovation, an America with social mobility and a strong middle class, an America that is confident enough to acknowledge and reckon with the tragedies of its past, an America with a shared civic vocabulary and an openness to good-faith debate, an America that leads the global battle against the climate crisis, an America that shows that democracy works that America will be the one in which all of us can rejoice. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TAMPA The Lightning, who can win their second straight Stanley Cup with a victory in Game 4 Monday in Montreal, have not yet made any alterations to their travel plans as Tropical Storm Elsa approached the Florida peninsula late Sunday afternoon. That could change. The situation is fluid, and the Lightning and the league are monitoring the development and movement of the storm. Win or lose, the Lightning currently are planning to fly back to Tampa Tuesday morning. A tropical storm watch was issued for Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon, meaning tropical storm conditions were expected in the next 36 hours. The Lightning lead the best-of-seven series 3-0. Under terms of a deal the league worked out with the Canadian government to allow the teams to fly to Canada without mandatory quarantining, Tampa Bay is restricted to its team hotel and the arena. You never know whats going to happen in the course of the game or a series, so were focused on our start next game, Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. We want to come out extremely hard, and we realize both teams understand the situation that theyre in. Were excited for the challenge, and all those things will take care of itself. Obviously, a couple wrinkles with the situation that were in here in Canada and then the storm back home. We want to make sure everyones safe, but at the same time this group is focused on the game. If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Amalie Arena. Sign up for Lightning Strikes, a weekly newsletter from Bolts beat writer Eduardo A. Encina that brings you closer to the ice. Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. By Dawit Endeshaw ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia's Tigray region wants a full withdrawal of troops from Eritrea and the neighbouring state of Amhara before it can engage in any talks with the federal government about a ceasefire, it said in a statement on Sunday. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the regional authority driven out last year by Ethiopian forces and troops from neighbouring Eritrea, returned to the region's capital Mekelle on Monday to cheering crowds. Their return was followed by a unilateral declaration of a ceasefire by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government, a move dismissed by TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda as a "joke". A statement from "The Government of Tigray", released on Sunday by Getachew, said it would accept a ceasefire in principle if there were ironclad guarantees of no further invasions but a series of other conditions would need to be met before any agreement could be formalised. "Invading forces from Amhara and Eritrea must withdraw from Tigray and return to their pre-war territories," the statement said. There was no immediate comment from the Prime Minister's spokeswoman and the chairman of the government task-force set up to coordinate the security operation in Tigray. The TPLF dominated the central government for decades before Abiy came to power in 2018. His government has been battling the TPLF since late last year after accusing it of attacking military bases in Tigray. Thousands have been killed. More than 400,000 people in the region are now facing famine and there is a risk of more clashes in the region despite the unilateral ceasefire by the federal government, the United Nations warned on Friday. In its statement, the government of Tigray said it wanted unfettered access for aid into the region, as well as the full provision of essential services such as electricity, telecommunications, banking, healthcare and education. Story continues The statement said the United Nations should establish an independent body to investigate war crimes and an international entity to oversee the implementation of any ceasefire deal should be created. It also demanded the immediate release of all ethnic Tigrayan political leaders and members of the national defence force who are being held in prisons around the country. (Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by David Clarke) Prem Pariyar believed he had left caste oppression behind when he moved from Nepal to the United States. Here, he would no longer be targeted as an untouchable. But as a restaurant worker in the Bay Area, Pariyar said, he endured some of the same discrimination and exclusion he faced in his home country. He was ordered to chop up a large sack of onions in less than an hour, and when he had to share an apartment with other Nepali immigrants, he was barred from sharing a bedroom with those of a dominant caste. While doing social work in Nepal, he had spoken out publicly to protect Dalits, as members of oppressed castes call themselves. In California he found he had to assume the role of activist once again. In a year when Black Lives Matter and anti-Asian-hate movements have raised awareness of systemic racism and discrimination, many Dalit activists have taken a collective stance to address the intolerance and violence that have followed them into their professional and educational careers in the United States. Formerly known as untouchables, Dalits fall at the bottom of a centuries-old South Asian social hierarchy that affects the lives of over a quarter of a billion people worldwide, including many in the U.S. By tradition, caste is handed down at birth and determines a person's social status based on so-called spiritual purity. In this feudal system, those deemed impure are excluded from all spheres of life, including access and opportunity to education and work. Although caste discrimination is officially banned in India and other countries in the region, the practice continues among South Asian communities. According to the advocacy group Human Rights Watch, police continue to detain, torture, and extort money from Dalits without much fear of punishment. The group says Dalit women are disproportionally raped and forced into prostitution. Prem Pariyar speaks to a Cal State East Bay professor April 12 while working on a resolution to ban caste-based discrimination on Cal State campuses. (Nani Walker / Los Angeles Times) Though a person may not reveal their caste background, that silence won't necessarily spare them from discrimination because certain surnames or professions are associated with particular castes, as are geographic areas. Story continues We view 'untouchable' as an epithet, said Thenmozhi Soundararajan, founder of Equality Labs, a nonprofit organization focused on ending what it calls caste apartheid. No one gets to determine our positions toward God, and thats why we call ourselves Dalit. It means one who is broken but also one who is resilient. Pariyar embodies that resilience. He earned a bachelor's degree in education in Nepal and came to the U.S. in 2015 to seek asylum after being persecuted by dominant-caste people because he had decried caste atrocities in Nepal. In time he was able to leave his restaurant job and become a student at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, where he earned a master's degree in social work. Soon, Pariyar said, he faced ostracism on campus too. Nepali students kept their distance, and a dominant-caste classmate from India blocked his attempts to organize a conference on campus around Dalit rights. The conference was never held. Many dominant-caste people deny caste exists. But the practice of untouchability has been documented in the United States by Equality Labs. Experience life as a Dalit person working in a tech office. Comments were collected by Equality Labs. For the full augmented-reality experience, launch the link in your mobile browser. (Created with Yahoo Ryot Lab as part of the Yahoo News XR Partner Program) In 2016, the nonprofit conducted a survey of 1,500 South Asians in the United States and found that 1 in 3 Dalit students surveyed reported being discriminated against during their education in the U.S. and 2 out of 3 Dalits said they had been treated unfairly at their workplace in the U.S. On June 30, 2020, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a federal lawsuit against Cisco Systems for alleged caste-based discrimination against a Dalit engineer by two dominant-caste managers. Without explanation, the department later dropped the suit in federal court and refiled in state court, where it is pending. In a statement, Cisco said it did not tolerate discrimination and took complaints of mistreatment seriously. "While caste is not currently protected under U.S. discrimination laws, we support legislative efforts to ensure a fair and equal workplace for all," the statement said. "In this case, we thoroughly and fully investigated the employees concerns and found that he was treated fairly, highly compensated, and afforded opportunities to work on coveted projects. If we had found any discrimination or retaliation, we would have remediated it." The tech industry has been a bastion of caste bigotry, said Soundararajan. Her organization heard from scores of tech workers who said co-workers or supervisors discriminated against them because of their caste. We had 250 complaints," she said, "and it was every single tech company you could imagine." Soundararajan shared screenshots of casteist comments from Blind, an anonymous tech forum. Some writers left crude remarks about Dalits, while others argued there was nothing wrong with the caste system. One user, VmBW03, wrote: "How can caste be derogatory? It's beyond me. Caste is nothing different from surname. It's like ethnicity. Unless you are not proud of your ethnicity, no need to be ashamed of your caste. I for example am proud to be of a Brahmin background." Soundararajan points out that many tech companies have Indians in leadership positions who are primarily Brahmin, or upper caste. "There's no way that they don't understand the ramifications of caste," Soundararajan said. "And what's ironic is many of these companies in their operations in India and South Asia do have caste as a protected category. They just have refused to implement that at a global level, which has now created active harm for their caste-oppressed employees here in the United States." Tech companies Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Apple and Twitter, among them say they do not tolerate discrimination in the workplace and that their anti-harassment policies cover mistreatment based on caste. Some tech workers are speaking out against caste discrimination in the U.S. In April, the newly formed Alphabet Workers Union released a statement in support of the lawsuit filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing against Cisco. The statement includes the Google parent companys anti-discrimination policy in India, which includes caste as a protected category but points out that caste is excluded in the U.S. and encourages the company to commit to caste equity. Much of our journey that we have to do as a community is to begin to have open conversations about these taboo fault lines," she said, "and be honest that the problems are occurring, so we can work together to find the remedies. Prem Pariyar, a social worker, distributes food to South and Southeast Asian immigrants in Oakland on April 3 as part of a pandemic relief program. (Nani Walker / Los Angeles Times) After years of Dalit-led community organizing, the Cal State Student Assn. passed a resolution in April seeking a ban on caste-based discrimination at its 23 campuses, representing nearly half a million students in California. Pariyar, 37, has been a driving force in the movement to ask for caste protections from one of the largest public university systems in the United States. A Cal State spokesperson, providing few details, said the resolution was under discussion. I dont want my kids to grow up as untouchable, Dalits. I dont want them to be limited, he said. I dont want them to be untouchables in the United States. He recalled his first memories of being excluded as a child when his teacher asked him to bring a jug of water to the classroom. She took a sip. When fellow students outed him as an untouchable, he said, she spit out the water. All the students started laughing. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Dr Anthony Fauci says he thinks the firm has made an unforced error (Getty) Dr Anthony Fauci has encouraged vaccinated Americans to go the extra mile by wearing a mask in areas with low vaccination rates, as the Covid-19 hospitalisation and death rates climb among people refusing the jab. The encouragement came on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday after host Chuck Todd mentioned that Mississippi has the lowest vaccination rate for the entire country. Mr Todd wanted to know if the vaccination rate should encourage vaccinated Americans to still wear a mask in those areas. I think there would be a good reason to do that because as weve said so often that vaccines are not, even as good as they are and highly effective, nothing is 100 per cent, Dr Fauci, Joe Bidens chief medical advisor on Covid-19, said. And if you put yourself in an environment in which you have a high level of viral dynamics and a very low level of vaccine you might want to go the extra step and say, When Im in that area where theres a considerable degree of viral circulation, I might want to go the extra mile, to be cautious enough to make sure that I get the extra added level of protection even though the vaccines themselves are highly effective. It was noted that nearly 10,000 deaths from Covid-19 happened in June, and Dr Fauci said a majority of those deaths were likely avoidable and preventable had people received one of the available vaccines. If you look at the number of deaths, about 99.2 per cent of them are unvaccinated about 0.8 per cent are vaccinated, Dr Fauci said. No vaccine is perfect, but when you talk about the avoidability of hospitalization and deaths, Chuck, its really sad and tragic that most all of these are avoidable and preventable, he added. Health officials have raised alarms as the highly infectious delta variant becomes more prevalent in the United States. In May, the World Health Organization declared it the variant of concern given how quickly its spread around the globe, causing an increase to hospitalisation rates and death tolls. Story continues The available vaccines were still effective against the variant, but Dr Fauci said they were not foolproof in preventing infection. Obviously, theres gonna be some people because of the variability among people and their response to vaccine, that youll see some who are vaccinated and still get into trouble and get hospitalised and die, but the overwhelming proportion of people who get into trouble are the unvaccinated which is the reason why we say this is really entirely avoidable and preventable, he said. President Joe Biden set the goal for 70 per cent of American adults to receive at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by 4 July. But the American public fell short of that goal with about 67 per cent of those 18 years and older having received at least one dose of a vaccine. At least 18 states reached Mr Bidens goal, but other states, specifically ones in the conservative South and Midwest, have struggled to convince residents to receive a vaccine. In Mississippi, for example, just 30 per cent of residents were fully vaccinated against the novel virus. Several other Southern states also had less than 40 per cent of their population fully vaccinated. Dr Fauci implored for the public to cast aside ideology and political differences for the sake of protecting everyone against Covid-19. Were dealing with a historic situation with this pandemic, and we do have the tools to counter it, so for goodness sake, put aside all those differences and realize the common enemy is the virus, he said. Read More UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures The Latest: 99% of US virus deaths are unvaccinated people Trump called Dr Faucis coronavirus task force that f***ing council that Mike has, new book claims Dr. Anthony Fauci delivered a July Fourth message, urging vaccinated people to wear masks in areas with low vaccination rates. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday morning, the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases director told host Chuck Todd that vaccinated U.S. citizens should go the extra mile and don their face coverings once again in such areas. If you put yourself in an environment in which you have a high level of viral dynamics and a very low level of vaccine, you might want to go the extra step and say, When Im in that area, where theres a considerable degree of viral circulation, I might want to go the extra mile to be cautious enough to make sure that I get the extra added level of protection, even though the vaccines themselves are highly effective," Fauci said. FAUCI SAYS HE HASNT SEEN INTELLIGENCE ON SICK WUHAN LAB WORKERS In the question that Fauci answered, Todd asked him about the specific case of Mississippi, which has just under 28% of its population vaccinated, the lowest in the country, according to Johns Hopkins University. Although the odds go down, fully vaccinated individuals can still spread the virus, Fauci said. When you look at the level of virus to be lower, that would mean you can make a reasonable assumption that [vaccinated] individuals would be less likely to transmit the infection to someone else. Vaccinated person, breakthrough infection, unlikely, but its not gonna be zero, he said. In the same interview, Todd asked Fauci how he was holding up amid attacks on him and the scientific community. Putting all that other noise aside, Chuck, and it really is noise, I just focus on my job. And when I focus on my job, Im fine. When you get distracted from the other nonsense that goes on, that makes it more difficult, but Im pretty good at focusing on my job, he said. Earlier this year, also on Meet the Press, Fauci said people in the United States criticizing him were attacking science. Story continues CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER A lot of what you're seeing as attacks on me, quite frankly, are attacks on science," he said in a June 9 interview. "If you are trying to get at me as a public health official and a scientist, you're really attacking, not only Dr. Anthony Fauci, you're attacking science. And anybody that looks at what's going on clearly sees that." Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Anthony Fauci, Vaccination, Mississippi, Meet the Press, Chuck Todd, Science Original Author: Charles Hilu Original Location: Fauci says vaccinated people should wear masks in areas with low vaccination rates A town in Maryland was forced to cancel its July 4 fireworks shows after some exploded on a beach. The fireworks accidentally went off near Dorchester Street in Ocean City on Sunday as workers with the fireworks company were setting them up for the towns show, according to the Ocean City Fire Department. A video taken by Matthew Gilberg and shared by Storyful showed the explosion on the crowded beach. Another taken by Gino Pambianchi and shared by Storyful shows the explosion from the boardwalk. A cloud of smoke can be seen coming from where the fireworks were going off. The employees setting up the fireworks were injured in the explosion but refused transport to a hospital, the fire department says. No others on the beach or the boardwalk were injured. Prior to the fireworks being off loaded from the vehicle, fire marshals secure a safe zone around the fireworks and put other safety protocols in place, Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers said in a statement. It is this very zone and safety protocols that kept anyone else from being injured. But the fire department says all fireworks shows planned for the Fourth of July in Ocean City have been canceled out of an abundance of caution. Parts of the boardwalk have also been closed to pedestrian traffic and officials have put up a perimeter around the fireworks site, the fire department says. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Fire officials say they are investigating what caused the fireworks to go off and are conducting inspections at each firework location. At this time, the cause of the fireworks discharge is unknown, the fire department said. A perimeter around the fireworks site has been established and will remain in place until the safety inspections are complete, which could take several days. No other information was released as of Sunday afternoon. Florence Pugh has discussed feeling pressured to lose weight early on in her career. (Getty images) She's a rising Hollywood star but Florence Pugh has opened up about the darker side of the industry. In a new interview, the actress, 25, recalled feeling pressure to lose weight early on in her film career. The star who was nominated for an Oscar last year for her role in Little Women revealed that after getting cast in a pilot for Studio City in Los Angeles, she was instructed to slim down. Speaking to The Sunday Times' Style magazine, she explained: "I was a baby and I thought that was Hollywood. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "And I thought, OK, this is how it works here. This is what they do. "And then I felt stupid because I thought, well, of course, how could I come to LA and not have expected to have my weight discussed in a meeting? Pugh who got her break in The Falling while still a schoolgirl in Oxford is next starring alongside Scarlett Johansson in the upcoming Black Widow. When it came to preparing physically for the role, she was given free rein. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The actress who is dating 46-year-old Zach Braff said: It was up to me. If I wanted to get fit, great. If I didnt, great. "How hard I wanted to go was up to me, and how I wanted to look was up to me. Pugh recently wished her Scrubs actor boyfriend a happy birthday after receiving criticism for the 21-year age gap in their relationship. In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "His need to make people laugh and smile is never ending, his constant generosity and love for others is infectious, his creativity and ability to put real and honest words onto the page inspires many and all whos around him, but above all...his appreciation for life and excitement for LIVING is something I always take note of." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Last year, in an interview with Elle, Pugh insisted that strangers on social media have no right to comment on her private life. The star said: "I have the right to hang out and be with and go out with anyone I want to." She added: "Ive always found this part of what people do really bizarre. Story continues "Im an actor because I like acting and I dont mind people watching my stuff, but people have no right to educate me on my private life. Watch: Celebrities reveal their mental health struggles An Orlando attorney, once an Orange County assistant state attorney, will begin his suspension Saturday for having sex with a domestic violence victim while handling her case. The state Supreme Court handed down a 90-day suspension as an attorney for Abraham Elmazahi, who joined the Florida Bar in 2018. According to Elmazahis guilty plea for consent judgment in this Florida Bar ethics matter, he had a misdemeanor domestic violence battery and violation of a domestic violence restraining order case involving John Neal. After the decision had been made to charge Neal, but while the case was going on, Elmazahi met and started a sexual relationship with the victim. Neal allegedly violated the restraining order again and Elmazahi filed the charge in this second case. He got fired for that. An investigation into the matter by the Seminole County State Attorneys Office found that Elmazahis decisions made during the case were objectively supported by the facts of the case. But his relationship with the victim still was improper and created a conflict of interest and he shouldve informed his office and opposing counsel of the relationship and withdrawn from the case. Silence, stolen money and illegally imported drugs get Florida attorneys disciplined Blackmail, bank robbery, stealing from a special needs kid: bad South Florida lawyers Associated Press The move by Donald Trump's company to strip its top finance chief from several leadership positions less than two weeks after his criminal indictment suggests it is facing a tricky, new business environment as it seeks to reassure lenders and other business partners. Allen Weisselberg, the top numbers man for Trump stretching back decades, has lost positions in companies overseeing a Scottish golf course, payroll operations and other businesses under the Trump Organization, according to government registry records. The moves weren't unexpected, but they mark a possible delicate stage in Trump's legal fight with the Manhattan district attorney's office and his efforts to protect his company. A view of the forest fire on a mountain in the Larnaca region of Cyprus (EPA) Four people were found dead as Cyprus battled to contain the worst forest fire in its history after homes burnt down and at least eight villages were evacuated. The blaze broke out in the community of Arakapas on Saturday morning before spreading through a mountainous region near the cities of Limassol and Larnaca. President Nicos Anastasiades said it was a very difficult day as he announced that the "entire state apparatus" had been mobilised to fight the wildfire, which was fanned by strong winds after a week-long heatwave that saw temperatures pass 40C. Civil defence volunteers found the bodies of the first victims of the fire close to the community of Odou. They are believed to be four Egyptian labourers who went missing on Saturday evening. We are experiencing the most destructive fire since the founding of the Cyprus republic in both material damage, but also unfortunately in terms of human lives, says interior minister Nicos Nouris. Greece and Israel both sent firefighting aircraft to help with the effort after Cyprus appealed for international help and activated the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU Commission said Italy would send planes to assist, and pledged to "provide any further assistance as necessary". The EU's Copernicus satellite has been activated to provide maps of the affected areas. British forces at two UK military bases on the island have also joined the firefighting effort, along with the Cypriot National Guard, the police and the entire Cypriot Fire Department. News reports showed homes going up in flames as the perimeter of the blaze grew to at least 25 miles, while smoke from the fire was visible from the capital Nicosia 45 miles away. Smoke from the fire seen from Ora village in Larnaca, Cyprus (via Reuters) People in the village of Vavatsina watch as the wildfire rages on nearby hills (AFP via Getty Images) "It passed through like a whirlwind, it destroyed everything," says Vassos Vassiliou, the community leader of Arakapas. The cause of the fire is under investigation but police arrested a 67-year-old man who was reportedly seen burning stubble in nearby fields. He was detained for eight days. Story continues In an update on Sunday morning, the police said the fire was "still raging with outbreaks that are rekindling" despite the efforts of the authorities overnight. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Police also warned that the high temperatures of more than 40C experienced in Cyprus this week meant that the possibility of wildfires was "very high". They urged the public to avoid burning things outdoors, throwing cigarettes or matches out the car window while travelling or using items that could set nearby dry vegetation alight. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Canada US heatwave: Aerial photos reveal wildfire war zone as heat dome kills hundreds Ocean on fire: Flames erupt in Gulf of Mexico after gas pipeline ruptures Is the climate crisis causing more heatwaves? Jon Ossoff broke the Senates generational barrier for millennials. His fellow 30-somethings want to make sure he isnt alone for long. Ossoff was 33 when, in January, he became the first senator of his generation and the youngest elected Democrat since Joe Biden in the 1970s. Now, at least a dozen candidates born after 1980 are either running for Senate or seriously considering launching campaigns for next year, a major surge in ambitious younger politicians. They vary from political newcomers to statewide officials and members of Congress, and the list includes both Republicans and Democrats, in races from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to Ohio and Alabama. The elections are a year and a half away, and barriers remain for the younger crop of candidates: Most face competitive primaries against either more established candidates or fellow up-and-comers, and some would face uphill general election battles if they win nominations. Several may opt against running. But at a time when the Senate is better known for lawmakers who stick around well past retirement age, 2022 could emerge as the year when the chamber starts to get a whole lot younger. My message to young folks considering whether to run for local or state or federal office is: If you've got the fire in your belly, gear up and run because we urgently need more young voices in Congress and in positions across the country, Ossoff said in an interview. Its no guarantee Ossoffs win will open the floodgates for millennials actually joining the Senate, but they're running in greater numbers. Last Thursday, Democrat Charles Booker, 36, launched a second run in Kentucky. A few hours later, Republican J.D. Vance, 36, launched his bid joining the crowded GOP primary in Ohio. In Wisconsin, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, 39, and Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry, 33, are both running, and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, 34, is seriously considering a bid. Outagamie County executive Tom Nelson, 45 who ran his first campaign in his 20s is the oldest candidate in the race so far. Story continues In Pennsylvania, a top offensive target for Democrats, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, 30, is already in the race, and Rep. Conor Lamb, 37, is expected to launch a campaign for the seat. But theyll be in a competitive primary against Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Val Arkoosh, the Montgomery County commissioner recently endorsed by EMILYs List. Kenyatta, in an interview with POLITICO, argued that its past time for younger people to join the chamber, ticking off lifetime judicial appointments, military combat and the climate crisis as priorities for his generation. And yet, over and over and over again, we are locked out of the body that makes critical, critical decisions, Kenyatta said. Wisconsin is another battleground race where Democrats hopes of expanding their bare Senate majority could be on the shoulders of a young candidate, whether or not 66-year-old GOP Sen. Ron Johnson chooses to runs for a third term. Lasry, who is making his first run for office, said the party needs to appeal to young voters, who typically turn out in lower percentages during midterm elections. Young people are one of the bases of the Democratic Party, he said. And I think where there's the most opportunity to make sure that we're able to win these elections. Godlewski, in a statement, echoed other candidates in calling issues like climate change, health care and economic security generational crises and referenced her own experience as a young mom in highlighting her perspective. I know my generation needs to step up to bring a new perspective to Washington and deliver the changes we urgently need, she said. Nelson, the elder of the field who was the youngest member of the state legislature when first elected in 2004, said his legislative and executive experience really sets me apart. Former Rep. Abby Finkenauer, 32, was one of the youngest women in the House when she was elected before losing her seat last year. She is readying a bid for Senate in Iowa but has not publicly declared her intention to run. If she does join the race, it could provide a stark generational contrast with GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is 87, if Grassley decides to seek an eighth term. Lamb is expected to run in Pennsylvania, while Barnes recently hired a veteran political operative as he contemplates running in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Quinton Lucas, the 36-year-old mayor of Kansas City, is contemplating an uphill bid for Senate in the reliably red state of Missouri. Democrats lost back-to-back races there in 2016 and 2018, but Lucas said the party needs candidates who can provide a spark on the ground. "Democrats have not been bad at raising money in these races, he said. We've seen U.S. Senate races, certainly in the last cycle, where there was lots of money raised but where, at times, we probably needed more excitement, more engagement, more energy. Other Democrats are already in the race, including former state Sen. Scott Sifton and Lucas Kunce, a 38-year-old Marine veteran who has run splashy digital ads already and announced raising $630,000 last quarter for his bid. These candidates still face barriers, especially in crowded races where their resumes will be tested against established politicians. But in an environment where online fundraising and organizing has become an increasingly critical part of major campaigns, party strategists say younger candidates can find innovative ways to break through, including more authentic campaigning on social media platforms that doesnt seem out of place with those using them daily. Martha McKenna, a veteran Democratic operative, pointed not just to Ossoff, but to the presidential campaign of Pete Buttigieg, now the transportation secretary, as evidence that voters are willing to accept well-credentialed younger candidates. I think the barrier may have existed 20 years ago but seems to be lowering every cycle, so that we're getting a diversity of ages in our candidates in the same way that elected office is getting more racial and gender diversity, McKenna said. Most of the younger candidates, at least so far, are Democrats. But several Republicans are running, too, and the Republican Party has elected more young senators recently including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who was 37 when elected to his first term, and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who was 38. Katie Boyd Britt, 39, the former chief of staff to retiring Sen. Richard Shelby, is running to replace him in Alabama. Britt faces a challenging primary: Former President Donald Trump already endorsed Rep. Mo Brooks, and former ambassador Lynda Blanchard is also self-funding a campaign in the race. But if Britt were to be elected, she would be nearly four decades younger than the old boss she would replace. Britt, in an interview, said its not just age but the experiences of her generation appeals to voters. As a working mom of two, I think I obviously probably have unique experience, life experience and also know how to get things done, she said. Jeff Jackson, a Democratic state senator in North Carolina, is in a three-way primary with Cheri Beasley, the former chief justice of the state Supreme Court, and former state Sen. Erica Smith, in a state Democrats hope will be competitive. Jackson, 38, is part-way through a 100-day town hall tour of the state and said his age has come up on the trail. Lots of folks who come to the town hall are Boomers themselves, he said, adding that it was from these voters, not younger voters, that he saw enthusiasm for a new generation of candidate. Not saying [young voters] don't care about it, but that's not where the emphasis on this comes from, he said. It's overwhelmingly from our older generation. They want to see younger leadership." Jul. 4The U.S. Department of Labor is suing the top two executives of a local architectural and design firm after they allegedly sold it to their employees for $40 million, about $13-$25 million more than what it was worth. Brian J. Bowers and Dexter C. Kubota, president and vice president of Bowers + Kubota, worked with a third-party trustee, Nicholas L. Saakvitne, to create an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and to overvalue their company before selling to their employees, according to allegations, valuations and a previous purchase offer for the company detailed in more than three years of federal court filings. The Labor Department alleges Bowers and Kubota violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including the section that "prohibits a fiduciary from dealing with the assets of a plan in his own interest or for his own account." Four days before the ESOP sale, Bowers and Kubota allegedly changed the company's bylaws and articles of incorporation to convert 100 shares of stock into 1 million issued shares, and executed the ESOP four days later for significantly more than those shares were worth on Dec. 14, 2012, creating trust accounts to receive payments, according to court filings. The defense mounted by attorneys for Bowers and Kubota said the pair did nothing wrong, they followed industry standards, and their financial strategy is generating exceptional returns for their employees. The case is in the post-trial filing phase with an Aug. 9 deadline for submissions. David R. Johanson, a Napa, Calif.-based attorney representing Bowers and Kubota, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser the federal government presented no evidence of wrongdoing against Saakvitne (who died in 2018 ), Bowers or Kubota and the company's stock price is up 1, 200 % in eight years and employees have hundreds of thousands of dollars in their accounts. The Secretary of Labor and his successor pursued false allegations against the defendants dating back to the opening of his investigation in the summer of 2014, Johanson said. Story continues In December 2012, the two executives completed the sale of the company to the employees in the ESOP deal. Bowers received a promissory note worth $20.4 million and Kubota received a promissory note valued at $19.6 million when the sale closed. As of December 2019, the pair claim the company had more than $27 million in outstanding debt related to the ESOP, according to court documents. "The ESOP paid significantly over fair market value for the company's shares based on a grossly inaccurate appraisal that Bowers and Kubota obtained. ... The appraisal relied on unrealistic projections which Bowers and Kubota supplied, some of which were verifiably inaccurate at the time of the transaction, " according to the initial complaint, filed by attorneys for the Labor Department in U.S. District Court. The government's case involves the sale of shares by Bowers and Kubota to the ESOP Ownership Plan for significantly more than they were worth. For purposes of this stock purchase, Saakvitne acted as trustee and the company acted as plan administrator through Bowers and Kubota. According to court filings, "Rather than prudently investigate the merits of the transaction and the true value of the stock on the ESOP's behalf, as ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ) requires, Saakvitne, improperly relied on a flawed, inflated valuation of the stock ...In addition, the valuation relied on overly optimistic and aggressive revenue projections that were demonstrably inaccurate at the time of the transaction and which diverged significantly from the company's prior performance ... As a result of Saakvitne, Bowers, and Kubota's breach of their fiduciary responsibilities in accepting a valuation resulting from the appraiser's flawed process and based on unrealistic assumptions, the price the ESOP paid for the company far exceeded its fair market value." In a statement, Johanson told the Star-Advertiser : "This is a clear case of government overreach against a small veteran-owned company and the trustee who the company retained to represent the ESOP's efforts in the December 2012 B +KC ESOP transaction. The evidence at trial (both lay and expert witnesses ) showed that the B +KC ESOP did not pay more than fair market value for the company stock that it purchased. The B +KC ESOP trustee died soon after the Secretary of Labor filed the lawsuit against him. In spite of this, the Secretary of Labor continued the lawsuit against his widow. This is not Mr. Bowers' and Mr. Kubota's ESOP. It is the ESOP for eligible B +KC employees." Bowers and Kubota did not reply to phone calls or emails seeking comment. Scott I. Batterman, who represents the ESOP, declined to answer questions emailed to him at his request. Elisabeth P. Nolte, Ruben R. Chapa and Christine Z. Heri, attorneys handling the case for the U.S. Department of Labor, did not comment or reply to phone messages or questions sent to them about the case. In comments not specific to the Bowers + Kubota case, Jose Carnevali, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor, told the Star-Advertiser, "Companies and individuals acting as fiduciaries on behalf of participants in retirement plans, such as ESOPs, must always act in good faith and in the best interest of their employees. When they breach that obligation, they jeopardize their employees' financial security and may face legal action. The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is charged with protecting the retirement income of ESOP participants, and it is important to hold fiduciaries accountable when they act against their employees' best interest, " Bowers and Kubota filed declarations in U.S. District Court on Thursday claiming the Employee Stock Ownership Plan they created was perfectly legal, despite Kubota's testimony that revealed they entertained a $15 million cash offer from a private company. After proposing a counter offer to the $15 million from URS Corporation on Dec. 5, 2011, URS (an engineering, design, and construction consortium previously headquartered in San Francisco ) ended negotiations. Bowers and Kubota then decided to create an ESOP and sell their shares to it. Bowers said Libra Valuation Advisors Inc. concluded that as of Dec. 14, 2012, the fair market value of the company was $40.15 million, according to court documents. An accountant who filed a declaration in the case placed the value of the company at $26.9 million. Gary Kuba, a certified public accountant and principal of GMK Consulting LLC, was hired by Bowers + Kubota in early 2012 to create an "internal-use valuation analysis for negotiation with a publicly held company that was interested in acquiring them. The publicly held company was URS Corporation, " Kuba testified. On Feb. 26, 2012, Kubota sent Kuba an email with an attachment of the company's financial projections for 2012 that appeared optimistic given recent history. Bowers and Kubota projected a net income of $9.284 million in 2012 compared to net incomes of $6.452 million in 2011 ; $6.367 million in 2010 ; $4.412 million in 2009 ; and $4.332 million in 2008, according to court documents. Kuba testified that "In reviewing the projected net income for 2012, I had some concerns from a reasonableness standpoint regarding the pretty significant jump in the projections for 2012 compared to historical performance, but because the scope of my assignment was an internal-use analysis for negotiation purposes, I took their assumption and incorporated it into the analysis without digging into the underlying assumptions and doing due diligence." Another accountant also filed a declaration June 21 claiming a due diligence review of B +K's records revealed the company used cash valuations and was not worth close to what its owners said it was. The appraisal relied on "unrealistic projections, which Bowers and Kubota supplied, some of which were verifiably inaccurate at the time of the transaction, " according to court documents. Steven J. Sherman, who worked for accounting firm KPMG for 30 years, said Bowers and Kubota's conclusion about the value of their company "was significantly overstated since it was based on inflated results and projections provided by management." A Hollywood police officer shot a person in the lower back, the department announced Sunday. Police were called to the 5200 block of Hollywood Boulevard to assist fire rescue with a combative subject at around 11:10 a.m. Saturday. An officer shot the person after a struggle took place, the department said. The gunshot victim was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital with injuries that were not life threatening, police said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation into the shooting. HONG KONG (Reuters) -Beverage maker Vitasoy has become the latest target of Chinese netizens' calls for a boycott after an employee circulated a memo online offering condolences to the family of a worker who had stabbed a Hong Kong police officer. In a statement on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Saturday, Vitasoy said a staff member had circulated a memo that it described as "extremely inappropriate" without authorisation, and the company reserved the right to take legal action. The memo offered condolences to the family of a 50-year-old Vitasoy worker who had stabbed a police officer, 28, and then killed himself on Thursday, the anniversary the former British colony's return to Chinese rule, media outlets reported. "What this employee wrote should not have been made public and should not have been published internally," Vitasoy said. "Vitasoy Group sincerely apologises for any troubles or grievances this has caused. We support Hong Kong's long-term prosperity, stability and development." Police have described the stabbing as an attempted murder. The officer's condition has improved from critical to serious. The worker's memo triggered a flood of online calls for a boycott of Vitasoy, which gets two-thirds of its revenue from mainland China. The hashtag "#Vitasoygetoutofthemainland" has garnered almost 100 million views. Hong Kong authorities warned on Sunday that advocating for people to mourn for the attacker was no different from "supporting terrorism" and criticised parents who took children to mourn him. The Police National Security Department said it had taken over the case and initial investigations showed it was a "lone wolf-style act of domestic terrorism, in which the attacker was believed to be radicalised by myriad fake information." It warned members of the public "not to tolerate or glorify violence." A 20-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of inciting others to commit murder, as well as arson and seditious intention, said police Superintendent Wilson Tam. Story continues Tam did not specify whether the arrests were related to the stabbing, telling a news conference only that the pair were suspected of posting messages on social media on Friday. One of the messages incited people to kill police, he said, adding that more arrests could not be ruled out. On Friday, people went to the scene of the attack, some with children, to pay their respects to the attacker and lay flowers. Mainland actor Gong Jun, who previously endorsed a Vitasoy lemon-flavoured drink, announced late on Friday he was ending commercial cooperation with the company, said Global Times, a tabloid published by the ruling Chinese Communist Party's official People's Daily newspaper. His announcement followed that of another mainland Chinese actor, Ren Jialun, who said he was also ceasing co-operation with Vitasoy, the newspaper added. Fashion retailer H&M said on Thursday its sales took a hit in China after its concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang led to a social media-inspired boycott by shoppers. (Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong and David Kirton in Shenzhen; Editing by William Mallard) JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel is in talks with other countries about a deal to unload its surplus of Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines, doses of which are due to expire by the end of the month, officials said on Sunday. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he spoke with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla about securing more vaccines for Israel and about possible deals to swap vaccines between Israel and other countries, though he did not say which ones. "Contacts are being handled by the Health Ministry, Foreign Ministry and the National Security Council," Bennett said. The director-general of the Health Ministry, Hezi Levi, said in an interview with Radio 103 FM that the doses expire on July 31 and that any deal would have to win Pfizer's approval. He did not say how many doses Israel was looking to swap. The Haaretz newspaper put the number at about a million. "We are negotiating with other countries," Levi said, without naming them. "We are dealing with this day and night." He confirmed that such a deal had been discussed with Britain last week but said an agreement had not materialised and was "a thing of the past". A Pfizer spokesperson said the company was "happy to discuss potential donation requests of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine between governments on a case-by-case basis, particularly if this helps ensure the vaccine is used to protect people from this disease". Last month, the Palestinians rejected about a million doses from Israel, saying they were too close to their expiry date. Israel launched one of the world's fastest vaccine drives in December and has since vaccinated nearly 90% of people over the age of 50, a group considered to be at the highest risk. Overall, however, around a fifth of all eligible Israelis have not yet had the vaccine, according to health ministry data. With infections falling from more than 10,000 a day in January to single digits, Israel, with a population of 9.3 million, has dropped nearly all coronavirus curbs. Story continues But an uptick of cases that began in mid-June, attributed to the more contagious Delta variant, may bring some restrictions back, Levi said. Vaccination rates peaked in January and gradually fell until June, when 12 to 15-year-olds were made eligible for the jab. Delta's spread, particularly among schoolchildren, has spurred parents to get their children inoculated and the rate has increased five-fold since early June. Levi said Pfizer's vaccine was about 85-88% effective against the Delta variant, a high figure but lower in comparison with its effectiveness against other variants. He based that figure on a British study as well as recent research by the health ministry. A ministry spokesperson did not immediately provide more details about the study. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Steven ScheerEditing by Jeffrey Heller, Catherine Evans and Nick Macfie) The John Lewis brand could soon appear above the doors of residential properties too John Lewis has announced plans to move into the residential property market by building 10,000 homes for rental over the next few years. The department store chain said it wanted to address the national housing shortage and support local communities. It said the plans would give the firm a stable, long-term income, as well as providing new job opportunities. Tenants will have the choice of renting fully furnished with John Lewis products or using their own. "As a business driven by social purpose, we have big ambitions for moving into property rental," said Nina Bhatia, executive director of strategy and commercial development for the John Lewis Partnership. She added that the move "plays to our strength as a trusted brand known for strong service". The company said 7,000 of the initial 10,000 homes would be on sites in its existing property portfolio, ranging from studio flats to houses. However, it also said some homes could be built on entirely new sites. It added that all housing developments would come with a concierge service and would feature a Waitrose convenience store near the entrance. The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, said some homes could be built in department store car parks, above Waitrose supermarkets or next to distribution centres. The first John Lewis homes are planned for south-east England, but the partnership said it believed there were opportunities across the country. The announcement comes as John Lewis's traditional department store retail business has come under increasing pressure from the decline of UK High Streets and the rise of an increasingly competitive online market. Since Dame Sharon White took over as boss in February 2020, the chain has closed about a third of its stores, leaving it with 35. Finland national teammates Robin Lod and Jukka Raitala returned from the UEFA European Championship for Minnesota United's home game against San Jose on Saturday, but only Raitala appeared in the Loons' starting lineup. Lod had stopped at home in Helsinki on his way back to Minnesota for an appointment for his U.S. green card. Because of the travel and his return from the Euro Cup, Loons coach Adrian Heath elected to sit Lod. The Loons also played on without starting right back Romain Metanire, who traveled back home to France for his own green card but wasn't back available Saturday to play. Heath started Raitala at right back, where he played for Finland last month. "We've got enough people to cover," Heath said. "That's why we've got a squad and we have faith in the people who come in." Heath kept young, versatile Hassani Dotson at the central midfield rather than right back, which he also can play. Dotson isn't included on the U.S. men's National team's 23-man roster for this month's Gold Cup. Heath called himself "delighted" Dotson wasn't chosen and won't be leaving again, as he did for the Olympic qualifying tournament in March. "I'm glad we've got him here and he's going to be playing for us," Heath said. "His time is going to come, though, trust me. If he keeps playing like he is, they won't be able to ignore him." Waiting The Loons continued to wait for MLS' investigation into whether recently acquired Franco Fragapane directed a racial slur at Portland star Diego Chara in last week's game, as Portland coach Giovanni Savarese alleged in an emotional postgame news conference. Heath repeatedly has said he believes Fragapane's vehement denials, but will wait for the league's decision. Fragapane started the game as the left-side attacker. Welcome back Back from the European Championships himself, veteran midfielder Jan Gregus returned to the team's 18. He began the game as a substitute while Dotson and veteran Wil Trapp started in the central midfield. Story continues Gregus also returned to a full Allianz Field for the first time since October 2019. "I'm so excited after such a long time," Gregus said during the week in an interview with a team employee. "I saw the video and the images. It was unbelievable to see. Also, the boys were pleased and happy with the fans, so I'm just looking forward to the same." Cleaning those sheets The Loons entered Saturday's game unbeaten in their past six games 4-0-2 including just two goals allowed and four clean sheets. All of it since veteran Tyler Miller became the starting goalkeeper after the team's 0-4 start. "Just the defensive mentality we've established in the last six games has really shown the fortitude of this club," he said. "We've been able to grind out some really close wins and we've been able to add some key players who have really contributed to our attack." Etc. From A to Z: Teenage prospect Aziel Jackson has been training with Forward Madison FC in Wisconsin this week and Heath said his club will decide after the weekend where he'll play . Oh-oh: It'll be Heath's England against Loons veteran Niko Hansen's Denmark in a Euro semifinal Wednesday at London's Wembley Stadium. Kevin Mazur/Getty Julia Roberts and Daniel Moder Julia Roberts is still head-over-heels for husband Daniel Moder after nearly two decades of matrimonial bliss. The Academy Award winner, 53, shared a rare photo of the two of them snuggled together on the beach as she wished Moder, 52, a happy 19th anniversary on Sunday. "19 years. Just getting started!" Roberts wrote in the caption. Watch: How Julia Roberts Became an Oscar-Winning Actress They met on the set of her and Brad Pitt's 2001 film The Mexican, for which Moder served as cinematographer. The couple later tied the knot at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico, on the Fourth of July in 2002. They share 16-year-old twins, Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter, and son Henry Daniel, 14. RELATED: Julia Roberts Says She Is 'Grateful Beyond Measure' After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine "Pure happiness is the feeling one has when the people they love are happy," Roberts recently told PEOPLE of what brings her joy. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Roberts previously raved about her marriage to Moder to PEOPLE in 2017, explaining how she found her fairytale ending after outgrowing her "awkward" early years. "I mean every day my husband walks in the door it's like a recurring dream," she said. "I'm like, 'Ah, he's back!'" The Pretty Woman star called Moder an "awesome human being" when she opened up about their work/life balance to Extra in 2018. "We have so much fun," Roberts said. "If we go to work together and go home together, all that work time, when you come home and [say], 'Oh, honey, how was your day?' We did all that in the day and in the car," she said of working together on their 2015 movie The Secret in Their Eyes. "So when we got home we got to put that all away, which was really delightful." Watch: Dating at a Distance - Steve and Carley talk accents, jobs and kids The first of June, my family and I made a return visit to Washington, D.C. We had been there in 2016 when our nation was embroiled in a presidential election. We had planned this trip a year ago. We wanted to visit not only Washington, but Philadelphia and the Amish country of Pennsylvania. But rioting broke out in the very places we had hoped to visit, so we canceled our vacation until this year. We didnt necessarily want to revisit some of the national monuments, because we knew many of them were closed to the public. A friend wanted me to take a picture of the fence around the Capitol to assure him it was strong enough to keep the inmates in until they had served their time. The mammoth complex stood in the overcast sky like an enormous prison, a symbol of our national condition. Union Station stood mostly empty, far from the bustling hub it had been on our previous visit. But we didnt allow that to dictate our happiness. It seemed Washington was slowly waking out of the self-induced coma of the COVID shutdown. Hardy business owners were shaking off the shutters of the nightmare of 2020. The front lines of the hospitality industry, hotel and restaurant employees, were friendly and efficient. The taxi drivers were entertaining and full of information about what was happening around town. The silence and tranquility of Arlington National Cemetery seemed like a sanctuary from the rancor of national debate. For a moment, everyone touring the cemetery seemed to be united as citizens, grateful for the sacrifice others made for our national freedoms. We walked past Fords Theatre, where Abraham Lincoln was shot, and the Petersen House across the street, where the president died. Both places were still closed. But we were able to walk a few doors down the street to Lincolns Waffle Shop, a throwback restaurant with faded signs, and old tables and chairs from the 1950s operated by a delightful Asian family. It was bustling with neighborhood regulars and tourists. Our host, an elderly gentleman, could not have been more friendly and welcoming. It was truly a wonderful experience to spend the lunch hour where we were all citizens, not political voting blocs. Story continues We also went north to Philadelphia and walked among the memories of America. We sat in the shade in front of Independence Hall, reflecting on what that building represented. In that solitude, we had a delightful moment of petting an ultra-friendly dog a lady was walking on a leash. We were citizens in the shade! We joined the long line of parents, schoolchildren and people from all over the world as we waited to view the Liberty Bell, and have our picture taken by this symbol of freedom. Benjamin Franklins grave was just down the street, covered with pennies. Nearby were buried several men who were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Betsy Rosss house was nearby, and we saw how she crafted our first national flag in her little upholstery shop. But maybe one of the best memories of Philadelphia was eating at a corner pizza restaurant run by two elderly women. We found them to be quite delightful, and their food delicious. As I celebrate our nations birthday, I am not going to mourn because I couldnt get beyond the fences of the Capitol and the White House. I am going to look away from those buildings, and give God thanks for my fellow citizens we met in the commons of America. Loren A. Yadon is pastor of New Life Fellowship of Boise. The Idaho Statesmans weekly faith column features a rotation of writers from many different faiths and perspectives. A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of another man in Garrard County Saturday night. Kentucky State Police and officers with the Garrard County Police Department were called to Bryants Camp Road, near Dix River, just before 7 p.m. Saturday for a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found Dustin Privett, 34, of Danville dead. Investigators believe Privett was fatally shot during a fight, according to state police. Justin Parson, 23, was charged with murder in connection with Privetts death and is being held in the Jessamine County jail. An autopsy will be done at the State Medical Examiners Office in Louisville. The case remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police. Years ago, Oregon discovered too many people were moving into the state and it became famous for discouraging non-residents from considering a permanent move to Oregon. Then-Gov. Tom McCall put the icing on the cake when he made national news inviting tourists to visit Oregon, but then quipped, but for heavens sake dont stay. That generated national media coverage and created the ungreeting card from Oregon that read, Governor Tom Lawson McCall, on behalf of the Great State of Oregon, cordially invites you to visit Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada or Afghanistan. Bob Kustra That mention in Gov. McCalls invitation of Idaho as one of the places to visit got me thinking about our current mess in Idaho. Thats right, mess, which is what it looks like to me. Way too many folks moving into Idaho, but not enough emphasis on slowing down growth. It occurred to me that perhaps state and local officials need some help along the lines McCall offered years ago in his attempt to slow things down in Oregon. So heres my list of reasons state and local officials could give as to why Idaho is not the place for emigrants to land. First the obvious one. Its hotter than hell in the summer with more days reaching into the triple digits that my dog wont even tolerate on a brief walk. Idahos summers may not be the Arizona special where Phoenix broke a record last year with 144 days over 100 degrees, but who knows where this climate change will take Idaho. Similar to Gov. McCalls effort, Idaho Gov. Brad Little could pinpoint those areas in the upper Midwest and Northeast where climate change is predicted to do the least harm and recommend to Idaho visitors that they try greener and slightly wetter pastures. Then theres the price of buying or renting a home in Boise. Off the charts is the only way to describe the prices, and the only folks doing well in this regard are Realtors who keep luxury car dealers in business. Even the North End where housing costs allowed our Boise State faculty to buy a home and settle down for a career in the university classroom is now beyond the reach of all but those Californians who cashed out of their overpriced homes and, together with Realtors, spike the cost of homes for Boiseans. Story continues Have I mentioned the new Boise skyline yet? Bigger and taller is better in Boise these days and there seems no end to how tall buildings get as they edge each other out blocking the view of our beautiful foothills. Often planned with too little parking for an already small and congested downtown area, the high-rises seem to escape control by government officials. In one case, the Boise Mayor Lauren McLean broke a tie vote in favor of a high-rise that neighbors claimed violated the character and scale of adjacent buildings. Testimony claimed the new high-rise will bring 7,000 traffic visits per day. Both the developer, Tommy Ahlquist, and the mayor claimed the housing shortage requires developments like this, but the jury is still out on just who is served by these developments and whether those mostly in need of affordable housing will be served by tall buildings downtown. I doubt it. The partner to tall buildings that bring more cars into the central business district is traffic congestion and you dont have to be a veteran bus driver in the city to see the increase in traffic in southwestern Idaho. Whatever newcomers think they are escaping when it comes to traffic where they came from, they are redesigning new traffic congestion patterns as their numbers grow and their cars line up on Idaho streets and highways. If we havent scared them away yet, heres one thats sure to run them off in search of a new town. Theres a serious gun shortage in Idaho and that should keep those gun-totin westerners from other states moving right along. OK, I made that one up. I really dont know if there is a gun shortage, but if Trump Republicans in Idaho can believe in the fairy tale fiction that Trump actually won the 2020 election, then Im sure their compatriots from other states will fall for a gun shortage and go packin somewhere else. If the heat, traffic congestion, increased housing shortages and phony news about gun shortages dont do the trick, maybe we can scare off the newcomers with Idahos pandemic experience that has already claimed over 2,000 Idaho lives. For emigrants infatuated with Idaho who believe that a vaccination actually prevents an individual from contracting the coronavirus, they should know that they are much more likely to get sick from the virus here than in 43 other states whose vaccination rates are better. With Idaho among the bottom 10 of states with low vaccination rates and a new variant heading our way, emigrants have lots of states to choose from where residents actually understand the role of a vaccine in a pandemic. In case you havent noticed, my list does not include certain members of the Idaho state legislature and state officials such as Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, now running for governor, who proved this year that governing is hardly the goal of Idahos right-wing public servants. Instead, its all about creating controversy out of whole cloth and intimidating and threatening teachers across the state with phony charges and hearings reminiscent of the McCarthy era. Whatever you do, this last one is nothing to talk about around town. I have a suspicion that Idaho is attracting out-of-state wingnuts who buy into conspiracy theories and right-wing agendas to bring down government. Lets not encourage them. Idaho has enough of those already so keep this last item to yourself. Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio and he writes a biweekly column for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator. It is important and poignant to recall the hard life of Mary Ball Washington, who struggled mostly alone to raise our Founding Father. Historians have left us with inaccurate and mostly unpleasant accounts of her long and laborious years. After George Washingtons death, historians canonized him and his mother, too. But unlike Georges enduring sainthood, praise for Mary was short-lived. In the late 19th century, Georges biographers began interpreting the few shreds of evidence about Mary almost all of it from George to mean that she was overprotective, possessive and greedy. By the 1950s she had become, in the word of a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, a termagant, an ill-tempered shrew. The author, James Flexner, created a portrait of Mary as a woman insatiably hungry for money that she didnt need, and intent on keeping George by her side. Other nasty myths still circulate alongside these: that she was illiterate, pipe-smoking, uncouth and slovenly. These poisonous portraits bear little resemblance to the industrious, worried, frugal, devoted and self-reliant woman who emerges from my research as a professor of history and womens studies. I recently wrote a book about Mary Washington. In my research, I found that Marys challenging life was very different from the myths that grew up around her. Enrico Ferorelli , CC BY-SA George Washingtons mother, daughter of a servant Mary was born in either 1708 or 1709; there are no records. Her father was an elderly, slave-owning planter and her mother was probably an indentured servant. By 12, she had lost her father, stepfather, mother and half-brother to death in the disease-ridden Chesapeake region. From these terrible losses Mary acquired two parcels of land, a good horse and saddle, and three enslaved boys. She stayed in what had been her mothers house, living with her older half-sister. There the shocked girl worked diligently to help manage the household and make herself indispensable. She also grew into her role of slave-owner, and learned to extort work out of people who were enslaved. She began assuming the habits of Anglican piety in this mournful time, trying to subdue her feelings and resign herself to Gods mysterious will. Story continues When she was about 22, she married Augustine Washington, a wealthy widower with two sons in Great Britain and a daughter in Virginia. Mary traded her duties on a small farm and the companionship of her affectionate half-sister for more expansive tasks as the mistress of a large plantation and marital obligations to an acquisitive, restless planter. The couple had five surviving children: George, born in 1732; Elizabeth, Samuel, John Augustine, and Charles. The growing family and many of their enslaved people moved three times, eventually settling across the Rappahannock River from the growing town of Fredericksburg. Augustine died suddenly in 1743 when he was about 49 years old. George, the eldest, was 11, and the youngest was 4. Augustine left his best properties to his eldest sons by his first marriage, Lawrence and Augustine. Mary was allowed to stay in the Fredericksburg house but was to turn it over to George when he came of age at 21. She received the same number of enslaved people she had brought to the marriage. If she wanted more, they were to come from those allotted to her other children setting their desires at odds with hers. If she remarried, the executors could demand security to be sure her children would receive their full inheritances at 21. Failing that she would lose custody of them. She remained a widow all her years. Single motherhood was hard for George Washingtons mom With her income and resources seriously diminished because of the dispersal of Augustines properties, Mary set about making sure that her daughter and four sons had such education and polish as she could provide. Elizabeth learned the arts of serving tea, managing a household and decorative handwork. Mary kept the young men in proper clothes and wigs. These could be expensive, costing as much as 3 pounds. That could have been about US,400 in todays dollars, assuming the American pound was valued the same as the British pound at the time. The wigs had to be de-liced by enslaved people who would otherwise be doing field work. Mary dissuaded George from going into the British Navy at 14 but failed to convince him not to join General Edward Braddocks disastrous 1755 campaign. She nursed George back to health after the illness he suffered succeeding this battle and several other serious sicknesses, including smallpox. She tried to imbue in her children her extensive practical and religious wisdom. She had some success, especially with George and Elizabeth, but none of her children became frugal. Despite the familys straitened circumstances, Mary saw all of her offspring marry up. George married Martha Dandridge Custis, the richest woman in Virginia. Mary Ball Washington after the Revolution In the years before the Revolution, Mary, like almost all small farmers at the time, was poorer than ever and sometimes asked her extremely wealthy eldest son for small amounts of money. As he slid deeply into debt himself from his extravagances and expanding ambitions, he begrudged her the insignificant bits of cash she needed and insisted she could not be in want a claim he repeated throughout her life. George wrote in 1782, having not seen or been in touch with his mother for seven years, confident I am that she has not a child that would not divide the last sixpence to relieve her from real [emphasis in the original] distress. This she has been repeatedly assured of by me in fact she has ample income of her own. Mary lived through the long years of the revolution alone. In her last years, she struggled like all small farmers against debt and bad harvests. She, too, suffered from high taxes, severe shortages of corn and salt and the threat of smallpox. Her overseer, exploiting the vulnerability of an elderly woman, cheated Mary throughout the war. Enrico Ferorelli , CC BY-SA Mary lived to see the revolution won and her son elected the nations first president. As George said, praising her in Fredericksburg at the end of the revolution, she led him to manhood in the absence of a father. Always sparing in her praise of worldly achievements, she gave him the compliment he probably most valued: that he had always been a good son. She died of breast cancer in August 1789 months after George became the nations first president. [Like what youve read? Want more? Sign up for The Conversations daily newsletter.] Mary Washington and George Washington shared many traits After some years of reflected hagiography, Marys reputation began a precipitous decline in the late 19th century. Ideas about biography and psychology began changing. Nurture began competing with an earlier idea of people being born with an essential character that needed to unfold. Mothers, who in the antebellum period were described as self-sacrificing vessels of virtue holding the new nation together, began to be held responsible for facilitating or not their sons ambitions. Male writers then saw evidence of Marys love for George such as keeping him out of the British Navy as possessiveness and interference with his glorious military destiny. They saw her requests for money as her irrational greediness, not his stinginess. Male historians, even now, have never doubted that his exasperation with his mother was justified, nor have they tried to find out more about her circumstances. Instead, they agree that he desperately needed to free himself from her efforts to limit him before he could father our nation. But mother and son were much alike in physical strength, in superb horsemanship, in irascibility, in penny-pinching, in the capacity for extraordinary persistence and in their strenuous, lifelong efforts to maintain a measure of equilibrium. I believe that without Marys brave, enduring and self-denying mothering, we would not have had the brave, enduring and self-denying man who led both the revolution and the optimistic experiment in governing that resulted. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Martha Saxton, Amherst College. Read more: Martha Saxton does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Massachusetts State Police said they took 11 men into custody Saturday after a standoff near Boston with a heavily armed group that saw Interstate 95 partially shut down during the holiday weekend. Of note: State Police Col. Christopher Mason told a briefing after the nearly nine-hours-long standoff that several firearms were seized from the men, who said they belonged to the Rise of the Moors. The group's website describes members as peaceful Moorish Americans who don't recognize U.S. law. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The men wouldn't comply with officers to hand over the firearms, so parts of the highway were closed and a shelter-in-place order was issued for Wakefield and nearby Reading. The big picture: The incident began about 1:30 a.m. when a state trooper stopped to check two vehicles parked in the emergency breakdown lane of the highway in Wakefield, some 15 miles north of Boston, and saw men in military-style gear with long guns and pistols. They said they were traveling from Rhode Island to Maine for training. "You can imagine 11 armed individuals standing with long guns slung on an interstate highway at 2 in the morning certainly raises concerns and is not consistent with the firearms laws that we have in Massachusetts," Mason said. Nine of the suspects surrendered about 10:15 a.m. after police used "a combination of negotiation and tactical measures," including armored vehicles, Mason said. Police later took two more men into custody. "Their self-professed leader wanted very much known their ideology is not anti-government. Our investigation will provide us more insight into what their motivation, what their ideology is." Mason What to watch: Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said the suspects were due to appear in court in Woburn on Tuesday. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. (Reuters) -Myanmar security forces killed at least 25 people on Friday in a confrontation with opponents of the military junta at a town in the centre of the Southeast Asian nation, two residents and Myanmar media said on Sunday. A spokesman for the military did not respond to calls requesting comment on the violence at Depayin in the Sagaing region, about 300 km (200 miles) north of the capital, Naypyidaw. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said "armed terrorists" had ambushed security forces patrolling there, killing one of them and wounding six. It said the attackers retreated after retaliation by the security forces. Myanmar has been plunged into chaos by the Feb. 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with violence flaring in many parts of the country of more than 53 million people. One resident of Depayin, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, said four military trucks dropped soldiers at the village early on Friday. Youths from a local People's Defence Force, formed to oppose the junta, took up positions to confront them. However, they only had makeshift weapons and were forced back by the security forces' heavier firepower, the resident said. "There were people dying at farms and by the railroad. They (soldiers) shot everything that moved," said another resident, who said his uncle was among the dead. A total of 25 bodies had been collected after the fighting, both residents said. The BBC Burmese service website and Than Lwin Khet News service carried similar accounts. The Myanmar Now news service put the death toll at not fewer than 31 and said about 10,000 people had fled the area. Reuters was not able to verify the details independently. The Depayin People's Defence Force said on its Facebook page that 18 of its members had been killed and 11 wounded. People's Defence Forces have been founded by opponents of the junta in many parts of Myanmar, some of them in association with a National Unity Government set up underground as a rival to the military administration. Story continues About two dozen ethnic armed groups have fought for decades in Myanmar's borderlands, but Depayin is in the heartland of the ethnic Bamar majority, which also dominates the armed forces. Violence since the coup has driven more than 230,000 people from their homes, the United Nations says. It also says more than 880 people have been killed by security forces since the coup and more than 5,200 are in detention. The military authorities have said these figures are not true, but have not given their own estimates. The army says its assumption of power was in line with the constitution. It alleged fraud in November elections swept by Suu Kyi's party, although the accusations were dismissed by the former electoral body. In another challenge for the authorities, Myanmar reported a daily record of 2,318 COVID-19 cases on Sunday. The state health system has foundered after it was deserted by doctors and other health workers in protest at the military takeover. (Reporting by Reuters staff; Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and David Clarke) Americans looking to enjoy their summer outside after a pandemic year now have other threats to worry about. The big picture: Experts are warning that ticks are on the rise and poison ivy may be more abundant this year. That means hikers, campers and anyone else excited to get outside after months of pandemic confinement should take extra precautions to avoid both. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Driving the news: Winter and spring seasons across the U.S. are becoming warmer due to climate change, creating conditions ripe for ticks and poison ivy to thrive. Ticks are more active and abundant than usual, largely due to a mild winter, early spring and heavy rain season in parts of the U.S., according to the Weather Channel. "This year, most of the country fits the bill, but the Midwest is a 'tick time bomb,'" Weather Channel meteorologist Domenica Davis said last month. "Warm, wet weather will allow the pest to persist and even pop up in places where they're not usually found," she added. By the numbers: Approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease which is caused by a bacteria spread by some ticks are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by state health departments each year. Yes, but: The CDC notes that the number is far higher: "Recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 476,000 people may get Lyme disease each year in the United States." Symptoms of Lyme disease depend on its stage, but can include, fever, chills, rash and muscle and joint aches. Poison ivy, meanwhile, has become more widespread and toxic in recent years due to higher levels of carbon dioxide, researchers have found. "An abundance of poison ivy can be detrimental to forests and nature areas, too. As it continues to grow and expand, it could potentially dominate the native vegetation and become a management concern," the Detroit Free Press reported last month. "More carbon dioxide in the air just makes photosynthesis in general easier ... The process is more efficient. That means essentially, all plants are bigger, bigger leaves, more productive," Katie McGlashen, a park interpreter for the Eddy Discovery Center at Waterloo Recreation Area in Michigan, told the Detroit Free Press. By the numbers: Approximately 85% of the U.S. population is allergic to poison ivy and other similar plants, and about 15% are extremely allergic, per the American Skin Association. Story continues Once skin comes in contact with poison ivy, it can lead to rashes, swelling, itching, bumps and blisters, according to the CDC. How to protect yourself: The FDA recommends that people learn what poison ivy looks like to correctly identify it: "Each leaf has three glossy leaflets, with smooth or toothed edges. Leaves are reddish in spring, green in summer, and yellow, orange, or red in fall. May have greenish-white flowers and whitish-yellow berries." To avoid ticks, the CDC says people can treat their clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin. You can also use EPA-registered insect repellents. Avoid contact with wooded and brushy areas with high grass and walk in the center of trails. Shower soon after being outdoors to reduce the risk of getting rashes from ivy or tick-borne diseases. Check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks and remove them if spotted never squeeze a tick to remove it, as it could worsen any infection. If you suspect you've been in contact with poison ivy, immediately wash you gear and clothing. Wash your pet with rubber gloves to avoid exposing yourself to plant oil, which can linger on surfaces for months. Contact your doctor or other health officials if you are concerned about possible exposure. The bottom line: Don't let your guard down this summer just because you made it through a global pandemic. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. Phylicia Rashad has apologized to the Howard University community following her tweet last Wednesday, in support of former costar Bill Cosby's overturned sexual assault conviction and immediate release from prison. In a letter to the university's students and parents sent on Friday and obtained by CNN, Rashad, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, offered her "most sincere apology," for her original (and since-deleted) tweet praising Cosby's release. Nomi Ellenson/Getty Images Phylicia Rashad "My remarks were in no way directed towards survivors of sexual assault. I vehemently oppose sexual violence, find no excuse for such behavior, and I know that Howard University has a zero-tolerance policy toward interpersonal violence," the actress and educator wrote in the letter, per CNN. She also promised to "engage in active listening and participate in trainings to not only reinforce University protocol and conduct, but also to learn how I can become a stronger ally to sexual assault survivors and everyone who has suffered at the hands of an abuser." On the same day Rashad tweeted, "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected," following Cosby's overturned conviction, a tweet which sparked an online firestorm, the actress seemed to respond to critics in a new post. "I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward," she tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. "My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing." Howard University also responded to the controversy on Wednesday, issuing a statement via twitter. "Survivors of sexual assault will always be our priority. While Dean Rashad has acknowledged in her follow-up tweet that victims must be heard and believed, her initial tweet lacked sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault. Personal positions of University leadership do not reflect Howard University's policies." Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. On Sunday, Cosby released a statement slamming Howard University for reprimanding his former TV spouse: "Howard University you must support ones Freedom of Speech (Ms. Rashad), which is taught or suppose to be taught everyday at that renowned law school, which resides on your campus." He also took aim at the press in a muddled metaphor comparing them to the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6. "This mainstream media has become the Insurrectionists, who stormed the Capitol," the statement continued. "Those same Media Insurrectionists are trying to demolish the Constitution of these United State of America on this Independence Day. NO TECHNICALITY IT'S A VIOLATION OF ONES RIGHTS & WE THE PEOPLE STAND IN SUPPORT OF MS. PHYLICIA RASHAD." Pennsylvania's Supreme Court overturned Cosby's 2018 sexual assault conviction, ruling that District Attorney Kevin Steele violated terms that previous DA and former Donald Trump impeachment lawyer Bruce Castor made with Cosby originally to not charge him back in 2005 following allegations from Andrea Constand. The initial decision forced Cosby to give a deposition in a civil case in which he made "incriminating statements" without Fifth Amendment rights protections, according to various reports about the ruling, including CBS News. Cosby's accuser in the 2018 case, Andrea Constand, has called the overturned convictions decision "not only disappointing but of concern," in a tweet on Wednesday. "Today's majority decision regarding Bill Cosby is not only disappointing but of concern in that it may discourage those who seek justice for sexual assault in the criminal justice system from reporting or participating in the prosecution of the assailant or may force a victim to choose between filing either a criminal or civil action," they said in their statement. Our statement. pic.twitter.com/px4Y5cqYaZ Andrea C. she/her/they/them (@ConstandAndrea) June 30, 2021 Rashad's representatives and Howard University did not respond to EW's request for comment. Related content: WARSAW (Reuters) - Former European Council President Donald Tusk will leave his role as president of the European People's Party (EPP), he said on Sunday, a day after he announced his return to domestic politics as leader of Poland's main opposition. Tusk, who on Saturday returned as leader of the liberal Civic Platform (PO) party he helped to found, has been president of the EPP grouping of centre-right European parties since 2019. He said that talks concerning his successor as EPP president would start in the autumn. "Of course formally I can be the head of the party... and the European People's Party, which unites many European parties," Tusk told reporters. "But as I said, my intention is to get involved 100%, not 90 or 80%, in Polish affairs, so I have already informed my partners, prime ministers and presidents from the European People's Party... that I made a decision to return to Polish politics," he said. (Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Koper; Editing by Alex Richardson) VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he will visit Slovakia on September 12-15 after a brief stop in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. It will be the pope's second trip outside Italy this year, following one in February to Iraq. Trips planned for 2020 were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He announced the trip at his Sunday blessing in St. Peter's Square. The Vatican said in a separate statement the pope would celebrate a Mass on the morning of Sept. 12 in Budapest to close the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. That afternoon, he will start a visit to Slovakia, visiting the capital Bratislava as well as Presov, Kosice e Sastin. Czechoslovakia split in 1993 into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Vatican sources have said the pope may visit Malta and Cyprus later this year. He was to have visited Malta in May, 2020 but the trip was postponed because of the pandemic. On Sunday, the pope also called for reconciliation in the southern African kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), where there have been clashes between government forces and protesters calling for reforms to its system of absolute monarchy. (Reporting by Philip Pullella;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) The Olympics are just a few weeks away, and it looks like the United States' top 100-meter runner won't be running in the event. Sha'Carri Richardson, winner of the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic trials, accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for THC, the primary psychoactive compound of cannabis, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced Friday. Richardson still has a chance to compete with the U.S. relay teams, but her retroactive disqualification at the trials means she is out of the 100-meter race. The widely criticized decision made it all the way to President Joe Biden on Saturday, with Bo Erickson of CBS asking about Richardson's suspension at a cherry farm store in Central Lake, Michigan. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. After being asked if Richardson's suspension was fair, Biden responded: "The rules are the rules and everybody knows what the rules were going in. Whether they should remain that way is a different issue. But the rules are rules, I was really proud of the way she responded." White House press secretary Jen Psaki had already been asked about Richardson on Friday, calling her suspension an independent decision by the USADA while praising Richardson as an athlete and person: "I would say first that this was an independent decision made by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and not a decision that would be made by the U.S. government, as is appropriate. We will certainly leave them the space and room to make their decisions about anti-doping policies that need to be implemented. "I will also note that Sha'Carri Richardson is an inspiring young woman who has gone through a lot personally, and she also happens to be one of the fastest women in the world, and that's an important part of this story as well." Outside of the White House, the decision to suspend Richardson has been met with widespread criticism as a harsh penalty for a non-performance enhancing drug that is legal in many U.S. states and no longer worthy of suspension in the NFL, the NBA and MLB. Story continues Patrick Mahomes and Megan Rapinoe were among those standing with Richardson on Friday, and plenty more could come forward between now and the 100-meter dash in Tokyo. More from Yahoo Sports: LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth has awarded Britain's National Health Service (NHS) the George Cross - the highest civilian gallantry award - in recognition of 73 years of dedicated service, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The honour has only been bestowed collectively twice before, and only once by the queen. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the award was a symbol of the nation's gratitude. "NHS staff have cared for us and our friends and family on the frontline of a pandemic for over a year, and I have witnessed their courage first-hand," Johnson, who was treated by the NHS in intensive care with COVID-19 last year, said. "I know the whole of the UK is behind me in paying tribute and giving thanks for everything the NHS has done for us, not only in the last year, but since its inception." The NHS was established in 1948 as the centrepiece of social reforms following World War Two, with a mission to provide state-funded comprehensive universal healthcare. NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens said the honour recognised the skill, compassion and fortitude of staff right across the service in responding to the worst pandemic in a century. "Out of those dark times have come the best of what it means to be a carer and a health professional," he said. "In the face of adversity we have seen extraordinary team work, not just across the NHS but involving hundreds of thousands of volunteers, millions of carers, key workers and the British public who have played an indispensable role in helping the health service to look after many hundreds of thousands of seriously ill patients with coronavirus." The George Cross was first bestowed collectively to the people of Malta in 1942 by Queen Elizabeth's father, King George VI, and to the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the queen in 1999. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Nick Macfie) The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee hammered President Joe Biden on Sunday for his withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said that the Taliban is poised to threaten the stability of the Afghan government and Biden will be responsible for the looming violence and repression left in the Talibans wake. Were going dark in Afghanistan, and theres going to be consequences long term for this, McCaul said on Fox News Sunday. President Biden [is] going to own these images. Biden announced in April that by the fall the U.S. would withdraw nearly all of its remaining forces from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years there. Recently, the military officially left Bagram Airfield and turned over control of the strategically important post to the Afghan National Security Forces Biden plans to keep 650 troops in the country, primarily to help secure diplomats located at the U.S. Embassy there, but the burden of fending off the Taliban which was toppled from power in 2001 but which has never gone away will fall on Afghanistans military leadership. Biden gave a modest vote of confidence on Friday that the Afghan government will be able to do so, and said that the U.S. would provide some support to that end. But, he said, the Afghans are gonna have to do it themselves. McCaul said he worried about the safety of those stationed at the embassy given the size of the security force designated to the task and compared it to the doomed stand at the Alamo in 1836. I'm from Texas. The Alamo, we had 250 Texans fight 5,000 Mexicans, didn't end so well there, he said. I think the odds are worse in Afghanistan" McCaul said he disagreed with Bidens strategy, which he partially inherited from former President Donald Trump who set a May 1 deadline, arguing that the vacuum is going to be filled by terrorists. McCaul also referenced concerns raised by top military officials in U.S. during the decision-making process. Nobody thought this was a good idea, McCaul said. SoftBank Group (OTC: SFTBY)-backed Fortress Investment Group has agreed to buy Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC (OTC: MRWSY) for about $8.7 billion, Bloomberg reports. Last month, it turned down a lower bid from Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). CD&R has until July 17 to come back with a counteroffer. The Fortress offers the supermarket chain an enterprise value of 9.5 billion pounds once its net debt of 3.2 billion is considered. Fortress consortium includes the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the real estate arm of Koch Industries Inc., the largest privately held company in the U.S., run by the Koch family. "We have looked very carefully at Fortress' approach, their plans for the business, and their overall suitability as an owner of a unique British food-maker and shopkeeper with over 110,000 colleagues and an important role in British food production and farming," Morrisons Chairman Andrew Higginson told Reuters. Fortress purchased British wine seller Majestic Wine in 2019, and it has about $53 billion in assets under management as of March. According to the deal, Morrisons' investors would receive 254 pence a share - 252 pence in cash and a 2 pence special cash dividend. CD&R's proposal was 230 pence a share. According to Morrisons', it received a proposal from Fortress on May 4 at 220 pence a share. Later on June 5, it offered a total value of 254 pence a share. Morrisons started as an egg and butter merchant in 1899. It owns 85% of its 500 stores and has 19 freehold manufacturing sites. Former world number one Ko Jin-young finished a marathon day with a one-shot lead in the LPGA Volunteers of America Classic in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday. Ko, whose 92-week reign atop the world rankings ended Monday when Nelly Korda ascended to number one, had an eagle and three birdies in a five-under par third-round 66 that gave her a 14-under par total of 199 as darkness fell. She was one stroke in front of 36-hole leader Matilda Castren of Finland and Germany's Esther Henseleit. Castren posted a three-under 68 for her 13-under total of 200 while Henseleit stormed up the leaderboard with a seven-under par 64 that featured an eagle and eight birdies. Ko's day at The Colony started long before her bogey-free third round. She was among the wave of players who failed to finish the second round after a six-hour weather delay on Friday. The seven-time LPGA tour winner was even par through four holes when play was halted on Friday, and returned to complete a one-under 70 that left her one stroke behind Castren heading into the third round. "I couldn't sleep well last night," Ko said after polishing off her second round. "I finished at 8:30 and I got in the bed maybe after 10:00 ... wake up at 4:50 -- so I couldn't sleep well and then I was tired on the course." It didn't show. After a brief rest at her home in nearby Frisco, Texas, Ko opened the third round with a birdie to promptly join Castren atop the leaderboard. Ko added a two-putt birdie at the par-five sixth. She and Castren were tied for the lead through nine holes, but Ko pulled ahead with a birdie at the 13th followed by her hole-out for eagle at the par-four 15th. That saw her jump ahead of Henseleit, who roared up the leaderboard with four birdies in the first nine holes, including a run of three straight at the sixth, seventh and eighth. A birdie at 13 gave the German a share of the lead but she dropped back with a bogey at 14. She, too, eagled 15, and added one more birdie at 17. Story continues "I actually didn't think we would get that close to not finishing, but I'm so happy that we did," said Henseleit, a 22-year-old who is seeking a first LPGA title. The German won the 2019 season ending Magical Kenyan Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour to scoop that season's Rookie of the Year and Order of Merit awards. "It really is dark," she said of the late finish. "You couldn't really see the pins on the last two holes. But just happy to be sleeping in tomorrow." Castren did enough to keep herself in the hunt. She and Henseleit were three strokes clear of South Korean Lee6 Jeong-eun, who finished with three straight birdies in a 69 for 203. Defending champion Angela Stanford carded a 65 to share fifth with Slovenian Ana Belac (68) on 204. bb/gph Jul. 4ST. PETER A Minnesota Security Hospital patient who allegedly spit his blood on staff twice this winter was charged with four felony counts of assault Friday in Nicollet County District Court. On Feb. 28, Thomas Bert Wilson, 31, allegedly spit on another patient then resisted staff who restrained him, including kicking and trying to bite them. He then bit his lip and spit blood on a staff member several times, according to a court complaint. A spit hood was placed on Wilson as he continued to spit and some blood got past the hood onto a second staff member. A similar incident happened on March 25, according to another court complaint. Wilson allegedly resisted after another fight with a patient and spit blood on two staff members. In a tropical paradise like Florida, some drinking establishments take the island vibes one step further, incorporating Caribbean and Polynesian culture, plus rum-infused drinks, into eclectic Tiki bar hangouts. Though inland Orlando doesnt have as many Tiki-esque offerings as Floridas coasts or the Keys, Central Florida offers several standout spots. When people go into a bar or venue, the first thing they do is ask, What are you doing thats special? I think Tiki offers that in spades, said Todd Ulmer, owner of Aku Aku, Stardust Lounge and The 808. The ambiance is special, the music is special, the cocktails are special, the way we garnish them is special. The Tiki bar phenomenon started in the United States when Donn Beach, the founding father of Tiki culture, opened his Hollywood bar Don the Beachcomber in 1933 after traveling to islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. Beach also formed recipes for several rum-laden cocktails including the Zombie, Cobras Fang and Tahitian Rum Punch. Meanwhile, competitor Victor Jules Bergeron opened Trader Vics and crafted the Mai Tai, adding to a Tiki trend that has persisted to this day. So what exactly is a Tiki bar, by modern-day standards? The Tiki that you see now is a combination of 12 or more different cultures between the Polynesian islands as well as the Caribbean islands, and Black culture and the African culture as well, said Jupiter Jones, an avid Tiki fan who works in event production. Generally, Tiki bars have somewhat of a dim atmosphere and a well-decorated place that adds a very homey feel ... Cocktail culture is so ingrained in this that if you dont have good cocktails, youre kind of kicked out of the box. Many average drinkers are content to stumble into a Tiki bar, perhaps wearing a festive Hawaiian shirt, to enjoy a stiff drink in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. But there are also die-hard fans known as Tikiphiles, and even within the subculture of Tiki, there are a variety of flavors. Story continues What I do love about Tiki is that theres something for everyone, Jones said. Theres Star Wars tiki, theres atomic tiki, theres spooky tiki, which is called witch doctor tiki. Trader Sams Grog Grotto held in high regard by those in the Tiki community is temporarily closed at Disneys Polynesian Village Resort. In the meantime, here are other tropical Central Florida watering holes to check out. Aloha Beautiful On the second floor of a Pine Street building that once housed video game bar Joysticks, Aloha Beautiful has swept in like a tropical storm to take its place. In just a handful of months, the space has been transformed into a tropical hangout with swing chairs, shrunken heads above the bar and a Tiki living room lounge that resembles a scene from a 1950s beach house. The drinks are tasty (and some offered at half price during happy hour), the bartenders are friendly (one even makes balloon hats and performs magic) and the atmosphere is lively and inviting. Plus, the new owners kept the air hockey table, Monopoly-themed bartop and brought in several pinball machines. Where the bar really shines is its karaoke offerings. Aloha Beautiful offers two private, reservable karaoke rooms perfect for birthdays and watching coworkers sing bad renditions of Mr. Brightside. Aspiring singers can also find nightly karaoke beginning just after 9 p.m., open to anyone who can find a place on the sign-up list. Drinks: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Tiki: 4/5 Visit if: You like Tiki with a side of karaoke Address: 69 E. Pine St. in Orlando Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 3-10 p.m. Sunday More information: alohabeautifulfl.com Aku Aku Paying tribute to one of the greatest eras in Tiki, the 1960s, Aku Aku takes its name from a restaurant once situated within the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas. Set near Lake Eola and within walking distance of Aloha Beautiful, Aku Aku presents a much more toned-down, vintage vibe for having stiff drinks and conversation in dim, warm light. A lot of care is taken in mixing drinks of which there are two dozen on the menu before theyre served in kitschy mugs with elaborate garnishings. The Planters Punch, for example, features multiple varieties of rum, pineapple, orange juice and agave with a fruity skewer on top. Within the small space, notice a large Easter Island head in one corner, soft rainbow lights that twinkle, pufferfish wearing hats, hula girl lamps and plenty of Tiki sculptures. When Ulmer opened Aku Aku in 2014, he researched the Tiki subculture and realized he couldnt do this the wrong way. I want to make sure the drinks are right and what were serving them in is right, he said. Weve got some diehard regulars that come there ... We get people from all over the world, when theyre traveling, that seek out Tiki bars. Drinks: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Tiki: 5/5 Visit if: You like a laid-back, vintage vibe in a quiet space with great drinks Address: 431 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-2 a.m. Sunday More information: akuakutiki.com Suffering Bastard Nestled in a side room within Tuffys Bottle Shop in Sanford, Suffering Bastard takes its name from a classic Tiki drink and seats about 25 in the small space. An Easter Island head sits behind the bar, where patrons can let their eyes wander between Tiki torches, eclectic mugs and shelves filled with 90 varieties of rum. One booth has a thatched roof, as does the bar. Colorful lighting adds to the atmosphere along with the quiet Tiki music playing. But among Suffering Bastards numerous selling points, the drinks really stand out. The cocktail menu is extensive, with more than 40 options available. A rating system using tiny Easter Island heads helps patrons gauge which level of cocktail theyd like. One head means mellow, two is mean and three represents suffering. A helpful bartender is available to answer any questions about what suffering means. In that category, try the Bolo, a concoction with multiple rums, tropical fruits and citrus served in a hollowed-out pineapple. The 151 Swizzle is also a good choice but not for the faint of heart overproof rum, lime, spices and absinthe comprise that drink. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time, especially for weekend visits. This is a Tiki destination. Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Tiki: 5/5 Visit if: You enjoy suffering with stiff drinks and a great Tiki ambiance Address: 200 S. Myrtle Ave. in Sanford Hours: 5-11 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; 5-10 p.m. Sunday More information: reservations.getwisely.com/suffering-bastard WaiTiki The fact that drinks are served in plastic cups should tell you most of what you need to know about WaiTiki. If cool, clever mugs and drink presentation are one key to a successful Tiki establishment, this Wall Street watering hole falls short in that department. Its the kind of place to stumble into on a Friday or Saturday night, where you might encounter bachelorette parties doing ski shots at the bar. WaiTiki is what we call Party City Tiki; its not really Tiki, Jones said. But the atmosphere still feels reminiscent of a bar you might find in Key West with myriad dollar bills dangling from the ceiling along with a few pufferfish. Plus, the indoor bar is covered by a thatched roof, there are reproductions from Tiki artist Shag hanging on the wall and an appropriate amount of Tiki decor. Its a fun spot to grab a drink, complete with a giant beach chair photo op out front, and its worth a quick stop when passing by Wall Street. Drinks: 2/5 Service: 3/5 Tiki: 2/5 Visit if: Youre on Wall Street and happen to be wearing a Hawaiian shirt Address: 26 Wall St. in Orlando Hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Tuesday, Thursday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-midnight Sunday More information: wallstplaza.net Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Screenshots of TikToks from Tom Houghton showing him stand in front of his home on the grounds of the Tower of London. @honourabletom Tom Houghton told Insider he's lived within the Tower of London grounds since 2016. His father is the constable of the Tower of London, and the role means that the family gets to live in a home within the Tower. They live in The Queen's House, one of the residences within the medieval fortress. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Comedian Tom Houghton has gained a following on TikTok for his videos showing what it's like living with his family at their home within the Tower of London. Left, Tom Houghton, right, an arrow points to the Queen's House at the Tower of London. @honourabletom/Instagram/AveryPhotography/Getty Images The Tower of London, a castle on the bank of the River Thames in London, is one of the city's most famous historic sites. It's a tourist attraction, but it also has residents including 36-year-old comedian and TikTok sensation Tom Houghton. Since May 2020, Houghton has shared TikTok videos under his account @HonourableTom documenting his family's home at the Tower of London. Houghton has 142,000 followers on the app at the time of writing. Speaking with Insider, Houghton said that he and his family moved into their Tower of London residence in 2016, when his father, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, the former head of the British military, was appointed to the constable of the Tower of London. Historically, constables were in charge of the operation, upkeep, and security of Tower, but today the role is largely ceremonial, according to the Tower of London's website Historic Royal Palaces. Take a look inside the Houghton family's home, called The Queen's House, which was built by Henry VIII in the 16th century. Chief Yeoman Warder Peter McGowran sets out ropes outside The Queen's House. Dominic Lipinski/PA Images/Getty Images The Queen's House was built around 1530 under the reign of Henry VIII, and he may have built it for his second wife, Anne Boleyn, according to The Royal Collection Trust. Today, Houghton and his family are the home's residents. Houghton said that typically, a constable will live in The Queen's House for five years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Houghton said his family will be there for about six years. Story continues "I know that this is a privileged position to be in, and I know that it's only going to last for a few years, so I wanted to share this as much as possible," Houghton told Insider of his choice to document his time living in the home on TikTok. Houghton said that he navigates to his home just like any other tourist visiting the Tower of London would - except the guards know him by name. A guard station outside the Tower of London. Dennis Aglaster/EyeEm/Getty Images Houghton enters through the Tower's West Gate, where he's greeted by guards, he told Insider. "The most impressive thing is that I can just walk in and the guards go, 'Hey Tom,'" he said. "That's that's the first bit where friends go, 'Oh, I can't believe we're doing this.'" He then walks through the Tower of London's main courtyard, where the iconic White Tower stands. The White Tower. William Rodrigues dos Santos/Getty Images To get to the home's front door, Houghton said he crosses moats, enters through another gate, and finally, he gets to the courtyard where the White Tower stands. The White Tower, which was built in the 1070s, stands in the center of the stone fortress, according to the Tower's website. The White Tower protects the crown jewels, which are a collection of ceremonial objects worn by former British queens and kings, according to the Historic Royal Palaces website. As Houghton walks to his front door, he passes crowds of tourists surrounded by "beefeaters," which are the Tower's guards. A "beefeater" guide showing tourists through the Tower of London. Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture alliance/Getty Images Yeoman Warders, nicknamed "beefeaters," are the Tower of London's official guards, according to Historic Royal Palaces. Today, the guards mainly serve as guides who share stories about the Tower's centuries-old history, according to the Historic Royal Palaces website. Finally, he gets to his front door, where a Queen's Guard is on duty. A guard stands outside The Queen's House. @honourabletom/Instagram Houghton said in a TikTok that his front door is protected by a Queen's Guard a soldier that guards official royal residences. In order for Houghton to get to his front door, he said he often has to walk through a crowd of tourists and past the guard. Houghton told Insider that there is a more discreet side door that he uses often. The entrance to Houghton's home leads into a foyer filled with historic artwork and a ceremonial chamber. The family has to maintain the home's traditional style in most rooms, Houghton said, and disguise TVs with curtains. An arrow points to a bust of Prince Albert. @honourabletom/Instagram The entrance area of the Queen's House is filled with artifacts and artwork that belong to the Tower of London, Houghton told Insider. In the very front entrance, there's a bust of Prince Albert. Behind the front entrance is the ceremonial chamber, where there's a wall with portraits of all the former constables, Houghton said in a TikTok video. Houghton said his family has to follow a standard style in the main rooms including using small TVs, which have curtains to hide them when they're not in use. Upstairs, there's a big kitchen, multiple dining rooms, a drawing room, an office, a guest bedroom, and his parents' bedroom. Tom Houghton in one of his home's dining rooms. @honourabletom/Instagram Houghton said the majority of the home is located on the second story. In some of these rooms, Houghton's family was able to add a bit of their own style, he told Insider. Houghton's bedroom and study are also on the second story. He said he was allowed to add his own touches to these rooms, like artwork and a TV. Tom Houghton points to the fireplace in his bedroom, and arrows point to a TV and gaming device. @honourabletom/Instagram Houghton's bedroom and study are the two areas where he has the freedom to style the room the way he likes, he said. But elements like a giant Tudor-style fireplace in the middle of his bedroom remind him that he's living in a historic residence. In his study, he has a piano and recording equipment, and the walls are decorated with some of Houghton's paintings and drawings. A door in Houghton's bedroom leads to The Bell Tower, where hundreds of people were once imprisoned. A historical image of The Bell Tower next to an image Tom Houghton took inside the cell. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images/@honourabletom/TikTok Houghton said he was "excited" when he learned his bedroom was connected to The Bell Tower, a part of the Tower of London which was completed in 1210, according to The History Channel. "I remember being like, 'Yes! This is what I wanted. A proper castle-looking place,'" Houghton said. The Bell Tower is one of the oldest towers on the grounds, and although it wasn't built as a cell, it held hundreds of prisoners, according to Historic Royal Palaces. Houghton said the royal family's crown jewels are just a "20-second walk" away from his front door. The crown jewels on display inside the Tower of London. Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images In the past four years, Houghton said he's been able to visit parts of the grounds dozens of times. Houghton said his family's residence is just a few buildings away from the White Tower, where the crown jewels are stored. Houghton said he is also able to go to many of the ceremonies that take place in the Tower of London, like the nightly Ceremony of The Keys, which is when the main gates are locked. Houghton said he's thankful for the experience, but he said at times, living in a tourist attraction can pose challenges. Crowds at the Tower of London in 2017. Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture alliance/Getty Images The Tower of London is Britain's most popular tourist attraction, according to Visit Britain. An average of 3 million people walk its grounds every year, Statista reports. Houghton told Insider that it's "funny" to watch tourists express curiosity at who he is as he leaves and enters the Queen's House. Houghton said his favorite part about living within the Tower of London is how beautiful the area is - especially at night when it's deserted. At night, when all the tourists abandon the grounds, Houghton said he loves to explore. "It's just beautiful," he told Insider. "When it shuts down, and it's nighttime, and you just walk around it and there's no one there it's just amazing." He said he feels lucky to live with his family within the walls in the centuries-old fortress. "You can feel that history has taken part here," he said. Find more of Houghton's videos on TikTok. Read the original article on Insider OPINION: In a nation in denial over systemic racism, freedom is elusive for the descendants of the enslaved On this Fourth of July, a day of independence for some but not for Black people, there is no better time to reflect on Frederick Douglass speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Delivered in Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852, on the 76th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the preeminent abolitionist, statesman, writer and orator took the opportunity not to celebrate America, but to remind everyone that this nation is not a place where Black folks are free. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn, Douglass said, then asking the audience, Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? The Frederick Douglass Statue in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitors Center, at the U.S. Capitol, on June 19, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Cutting like a knife nearly 170 years ago, Douglass words are just as relevant and resonating to what Black people are experiencing today. After commemorating Juneteenth just a few weeks ago, and as America celebrates the independence of white colonists from an oppressive British monarchy, an oppressed Black America must always remind white America that it has nothing to celebrate on July 4 each year. Given the centuries-long history of persecution against Black people much of which still permeates society in the twenty-first century there is no way we can take pride in American freedom. This, as we fight for our freedom at this very moment, as we speak, in the so-called land of the free. Back then, as now, America is faced with two narratives: The myth of American exceptionalism that America is a great nation, the best place and can do no wrong versus the reality that African people have been held in bondage in what we have been told is the cradle of liberty. Douglass called out America for being two-faced. What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim, Douglass said. Story continues To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages, he added. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour. We should go back to Africa if we dont like it here, we are told our people built both lands with no mention of the circumstances that brought us here in the first place. From the first slave ship to cross the Middle Passage, our story has been one of a 400-year protest to get free. Meanwhile, from day one, white America has fought and continues to fight against our freedom, fearing that when we are fully and truly free, Black folks will pay back the favor and get even for our abduction, for that perilous and deadly boat ride to the forced labor camps and everything that has happened since. In a never-aired ABC interview from 1979 that was too much for white people to handle, James Baldwin laid it all out, echoing Douglass. White people go around, it seems to me, with a very carefully suppressed terror of Black people, tremendous uneasiness. They dont know what the blackface hides, he noted. Theyre sure its hiding something. What its hiding is American history, you know. What its hiding is what white people know they have done and are doing. White people know very well one thing. Its the only thing they have to know. They know this, everything else they say is a lie, Baldwin continued. They know they would not like to be Black here. They know that. Now they know that, and theyre telling me lies. Theyre telling me and my children nothing but lies. In a nation in denial over systemic racism, freedom is elusive for the descendants of the enslaved. American writer and Civil Rights activist James Baldwin (1924 1987) at the Whitehall Hotel, Bloomsbury Square, London. (Photo by Jenkins/Getty Images) Black people need reparations for centuries of intergenerational trauma, forced labor, theft and torture. Police continue to torture and murder Black bodies, unable to separate from their slave patrol origins. Whether Black people should have equal voting rights is a question open for debate, as Republicans enact Jim Crow voter suppression laws in state legislatures, and Democrats seek bipartisanship with white supremacists on the federal level. Congress just voted to remove statues of Confederate domestic terrorists from the U.S. Capitol, over a century-and-a-half after the end of the Civil War. And yet, there is little-to-no accountability for the white insurrectionists who planned, funded and executed the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. This, as the skeletons of Black children and adults lynched in the Tulsa Race Massacre are unearthed after a century in unmarked mass graves. And white nationalist politicians gaslight us with laws prohibiting the teaching of systemic racism, slavery and anything that makes America look bad, makes white people feel uncomfortable and causes the shedding of white tears. Juneteenth is a federal holiday, but teaching Juneteenth, or Tulsa, or Black Lives Matter is forbidden in school. None of this is meant to make sense. Douglass condemned the Founding Fathers for making the right to hold and to hunt slaves a part of the Constitution and attacked the American church for upholding slavery and siding with the oppressor. He understood the right of the hunter to his prey reigned supreme in America, and the hideous monster of slavery had to be destroyed. The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your humanity as a base pretense, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home It is the antagonistic force in your government, the only thing that seriously disturbs and endangers your Union, Douglass said, warning a horrible creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic. Even today, the nation has not eradicated Black oppression. We experience inequity and injustice everywhere. And the greatest threat to the United States is white supremacist domestic terror. Nothing to celebrate here. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common, Douglass proclaimed. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. Follow David A. Love on Twitter at @davidalove. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post Time to reexamine Frederick Douglass What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? appeared first on TheGrio. A deputy with the Sampson County Sheriffs Office shot and killed a person during a traffic stop in Salemburg on Sunday afternoon, the sheriffs office said. In a news release, the Sheriffs Office said the deputy stopped a pickup truck on Laurel Lake Road at the intersection of Lakewood School Road around 1:09 p.m. The release doesnt say why the deputy stopped the vehicle. The person inside the truck was armed when the deputy approached the vehicle, the news release said. Thats when the officer fired his gun, fatally injuring the person the news release described as an armed suspect. Life saving measures were performed unsuccessfully, the release says, and the person died at the scene. The NC State Bureau of Investigation is investigating, which the sheriffs office said is protocol in North Carolina when a deputy is involved in a shooting. The names of the deputy and the person who died arent being released at this time, the sheriffs office said. This is a developing story. Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla. Gerald Herbert/AP Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to hit South Florida next week. The storm made officials push up the timeline for demolishing the remaining units in the collapsed Surfside condo. More than 120 people are still missing after the collapse but rescue efforts have been paused. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Tropical Storm Elsa has forced officials in Florida to put a pause on search and rescue efforts at the site of the partially collapsed Champlain Towers South building and accelerate the timeline for demolition of remaining units, The Washington Post reported. On Friday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava authorized the demolition of the remaining units but said it would most likely take weeks. Cava said officials would find a balance between searching for more victims in the rubble and demolition the remaining structure. However, on Saturday, Cava said the search and rescue operation was suspended this afternoon in preparation for the demolition. Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah said the suspension of the search and rescue was a necessary safety measure since the remaining structure could collapse, the Associated Press reported. He said the building won't come down before Monday. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the building was unsound and had to be demolished as Elsa, which is growing in the Caribbean, is expected to hit the state in the next few days. "If the building is taken down, this will protect our search and rescue teams, because we don't know when it could fall over," DeSantis said at a news conference, the AP reported. "And, of course, with these gusts, potentially that would create a really severe hazard." Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said he was worried the storm could take the building down in the wrong direction creating a bigger problem, the Post reported. As of Saturday, 24 bodies have been recovered and more than 120 people are still unaccounted for. No one has been rescued alive since the day of the collapse last Thursday. Story continues Survival experts previously told Insider while there could still be a chance some people are saved, the more time goes on the less likely the chance. "Essentially a giant building fell on those people and on the good/bad scale of survivability, that's very bad," Tim Smith of the Jack Mountain Bushcraft School told Insider. Read the original article on Insider (EPA) During his second campaign-style rally after his presidency ended in January, Donald Trump raged against New York prosecutors targeting his Trump Organization and its chief financial officer, who pleaded not guilty this week to a range of criminal charges related to a years-long tax fraud probe. After his companys longtime chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday, the former president dismissed the case as prosecutorial misconduct but appeared to acknowledge the charges against him and his company. You didnt pay tax on the car or a company apartment ... you didnt pay tax, or education for your grandchildren, he said at his rally in Sarasota, Florida on 3 July. Does anybody know the answer to that stuff? The president held his rally across the state from emergency crews still searching for survivors in the wake of a building collapse north of Miami. Governor Ron DeSantis a staunch ally of Mr Trump did not attend the rally, and the governors aides allegedly asked the former president to postpone the event as the tragedy unfolds. At least 24 people are dead and crews are searching for at least 121 people at the site of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside. Following a brief moment of silence for the victims, Mr Trump echoing his dark American vision from his July 4 remarks at Mount Rushmore in 2020 listed a series of baseless claims suggesting his supporters are under attack in his apocalyptic vision of the state of the US: religious liberty is being crushed, dissenters are being persecuted, and bloodthirsty criminals are taking over American cities. In rambling remarks over more than 90 minutes, the former president revived his voter fraud lies and a stolen election narrative that suggested Joe Biden is not the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election. He condemned the presidents immigration policies and a rise in migrants to the US-Mexico border following a crisis point in Mr Trumps own administration, and he lambasted critical race theory as pure, plain racism. Story continues Mr Trump also said the presidents infrastructure plan would annihilate Americas suburbs reviving his racist fear mongering over plans to eliminate barriers to racial segregation in suburban housing. He also claimed, without any apparent self-awareness, that Republicans have been targeted by disinformation which he described without a trace of irony as if you say it enough and keep saying it ... theyll start to believe you. Read live updates from The Independent as they happened Read More Governor Ron DeSantis is skipping Donald Trumps Florida rally due to the Miami building collapse Five takeaways from the indictments of the Trump Organization and CFO Alan Weisselberg on Thursday Allen Weisselberg: Who is the man who could bring down Donald Trump? Dont have the president call: Arizona official ignored Trump attempts to sway results, report says Officials will demolish remainder of collapsed Florida condo before tropical storm hits Two more men were arrested following Saturday morning's standoff between police and a group of armed men who fled into the woods Saturday morning. Approximately 40 minutes after authorities arrested nine individuals who they said do "not recognize our laws," two more suspects were found in the group's vehicles and taken into custody, Massachusetts State Police spokesman David Procopio confirmed. Of the nine who were in custody as of 10:30 a.m., two were arrested initially, one of them armed, and the seven others were apprehended hours later, authorities said. MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ARREST GROUP OF ARMED MEN WHO DO NOT RECOGNIZE OUR LAWS AFTER HOURSLONG STANDOFF A state trooper reportedly saw a group of about eight armed men in military-style uniforms near Interstate 95 around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The men then "fled into the woods carrying rifles and handguns and appear to be contained in the wooded area adjacent to the highway," according to a statement from the Wakefield Police Department, which assisted state police. The highway, which was closed in both directions for hours as police searched for the men, reopened its southbound traffic at 10:45 a.m., while northbound travel resumed approximately 45 minutes later. The men identified themselves as belonging to a group known as Rise of the Moors, said State Police Col. Christopher Mason, and its website describes the group as "Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders." "Their self-professed leader wanted [it] very much known their ideology is not anti-government," he said. "Our investigation will provide us more insight into what their motivation [and] what their ideology is." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The group said members traveled from Rhode Island to Maine for "training," authorities said. News of the arrests occurred about five hours after the state police department said that the men (whom officials said were "armed and dangerous," though "no threats were made") had been "refusing to comply with orders to provide their information and put down their weapons. Story continues Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Massachusetts, Law, Firearms, Law Enforcement Original Author: Carly Roman Original Location: Two more arrested after police standoff in Massachusetts with armed men who do 'not recognize our laws' Even though it was two years ago, Iya Dammons remembers what she said to Ashanti Carmon just before the 27-year-old was shot dead. That night, the two Black transgender sex workers were among several working the poor area between the US capital and Maryland. "We were laughing and talking on the corner, and she was like, 'Girl, I'll be right back'," Dammons, the founder and executive director of Baltimore Safe Haven, a housing and social services nonprofit helping transgender people, told AFP. "And she got into a vehicle. It turned down a side street and I heard gunshots." Carmon and Zoe Spears, 23, were killed within the space of a few months -- and within a few blocks of each other -- while doing sex work along Eastern Avenue, which forms the border between Washington and the town of Fairmount Heights. Unfortunately, their murders are part of a deadly trend affecting the wider transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign reported 44 transgender people killed in the United States in 2020, making it the deadliest year since the advocacy group began tracking keeping records in 2013. More than half of them were women of color. Globally, 350 transgender people were killed in 2020, according to Transrespect versus Transphobia Worldwide, a research project coordinated by Transgender Europe. Dammons was on her own from age 15 -- she fled a substance-abusing mother, bullying at school and a grandmother who tried to "pray the trans away." "It starts in the nest," she said. - 'Their lives matter' - In the United States, data from the National Center for Transgender Equality points to economic pressures making the transgender community particularly vulnerable to violence. A 2015 survey of the community by the center revealed that 21 percent of the Black transgender population surveyed said they had participated in sex work for income -- with Black trans women representing more 60 percent of that number. Story continues One in four transgender people in the United States said they had lost a job due to workplace bias. And one in eight become involved in survival sex work or the drug trade due to extreme levels of unemployment and poverty. Cassy Morris co-founded The LGBTQ Dignity Project following the killings of Carmon and Spears, who were honored at a recent memorial service in Fairmount Heights. "We need to show them that their lives matter," Morris told AFP. "And that there is a community behind them that supports them." - 'Just want to be respected' - Karen Kendra Holmes, a Black transgender woman, was part of a special police ride-along program put in place shortly after the murders to help liaise with the women on the streets in the wee hours when they felt most vulnerable. "During one week I was out there, there were a couple of shootings," Holmes told AFP. Holmes' church bought her a bulletproof vest so she could continue trying to help get the girls off the street. The program however ended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Thea Zumwalt, an assistant state's attorney in Maryland's Prince George's County, said Spears had been known to work on a particular corner along the border that was not well lit. Last week's memorial service was held there. "It's one of the reasons why this is a busy area for drugs and sex. It's really dark here at night," Zumwalt said. "If it wasn't for that camera, we might never have known what happened here." Gerardo Thomas, 33, was arrested in 2019 and recently convicted for Spears' murder. Carmon's killing remains unsolved. Dammons -- who says she still faces criticism for being "an angry Black trans woman" -- says she is frustrated at having spent so much of her life struggling to survive, when she is so close to the US seat of power. "I'm originally from DC, and it's traumatizing to see that we're right there near the nations capital," she said. "Eastern Avenue is a place of trauma. I had to get away from that space to understand it all." But Holmes, also originally from Washington, said the capital is just another city in the throes of a crisis for the transgender community, especially Black women. "Fairmount Heights is no different than any other area in the country or around the world," Holmes said. "We just want to be respected and treated the same as anyone else. What gives someone the right to call me names at a bus stop or kill me for being trans?" pvs/sst The Secret Service will remove extra fencing the Trump administration put up around the white House, it announced on Sunday. (AFP via Getty Images) Another one of Donald Trumps walls has failed to stand the test of time. Some of the extra barriers installed around the White House over the last year will be removed, the Secret Service announced on Sunday. Once again, people will be able to walk up to the fence on the North Lawn of the compound, a space which has hosted tourists and protesters alike for more than 100 years. The portion of Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House sidewalk between 15th and 17th Streets NW has been reopened to foot and bicycle traffic, the Secret Service, which protects the president and the White House, said in a statement. Last June, the Trump administration installed additional barriers around the compound, part of its response to George Floyd protests in Washington DC, where riot police violently cleared out demonstrators from a park in front of the White House with tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper balls, and smoke bombs ahead of a photo opportunity where Donald Trump posed in front of a nearby church holding a bible. The attempts to wall off the White House had an unexpected side effect: the new fences became a hub for protest art, with demonstrators plastering the walls with posters and paintings with messages about Black Lives Matter and the 2020 presidential election. Its like the whole nation is crying, and this whole fence is crying, Kai Gamanya, who helped paint an image of a clenched fist on one placard, told NPR at the time. And if you were to back up and see it from beginning to end, its nothing but posters from all the way down. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Others took issue with the symbolism of the barriers around the White House, sometimes referred to as the Peoples House. Though security around the facility has existed for centuries, various presidents like the populist Andrew Jackson took that message quite literally, inviting throngs of his supporters inside the grounds for raucous parties. The house is meant to be the home of a citizen chosen by other citizens to lead the executive branch for a finite period, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, wrote in a commentary piece. It is definitively not meant to be a palace. Story continues Beyond just the fences, the Trump administration took a dim view of last summers nationwide civil rights protests, sending heavily armed federal agents into cities around the country, some of whom made arrests and detained demonstrators in unmarked vehicles in Portland, Oregon.Wall Street Journal journalist Michael Bender reported that Mr Trump also wanted federal troops to go in beat the f**K out of racial justice campaigners or just shoot them. Read More More than 800 Secret Service staffers were infected with Covid Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park Bidens approval rating holds steady at 60 per cent as majority backs handling of pandemic Jul. 4Xenia Police Division and other Greene County law enforcement agencies say they are aware that some people are protesting their participation in a statewide drug enforcement initiative called Operation Blue Light on June 22 and 23, according to a press release. "The Xenia Police Division is aware of the concerns of a few citizens regarding this proactive drug enforcement detail, and who on Thursday, July 1, 2021 marched from Lexington Park to the Justice Center in protest," the press release said. "We continue to speak with the concerned citizens and invite meaningful, productive discussion on this topic. The Xenia Police Division appreciates the continued support of the community in our efforts to proactively remove illegal drugs from Xenia." The Xenia Police Division, with assistance from the Greene County ACE Task Force, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and Beavercreek Police Department, patrolled known drug areas and did a high volume of traffic stops on those days to suppress drug trafficking activity, according to a press release. On those days, officers made 52 traffic stops resulting in the confiscation of 1.8 grams of cocaine, 12.3 grams of crack cocaine, 33.1 grams of marijuana, eight THC vape cartridges, and two illegally possessed handguns. Felony charges were filed against two people and several other new felony cases are pending or were referred to the prosecutor. Six people were arrested on warrants. If you have any information about drug trafficking in Xenia, call the Greene County ACE Task force at 937 562- 7980 or leave a voicemail on the Xenia Police Tip Line at (937) 347-1623. Yale Universitys drama school will no longer charge tuition to its students after receiving a $150 million gift from billionaire David Geffen. The donation is the largest ever given to an American theatre company, and the school will be renamed in honor of Geffen, the university announced on Wednesday. David Geffens visionary generosity ensures that artists of extraordinary potential from all socioeconomic backgrounds will be able to cultivate their talent at Yale," university President Peter Salovey said. PSYCHIATRIST DESCRIBES TO YALE AUDIENCE HER FANTASIES OF UNLOADING A REVOLVER INTO RANDOM WHITE PEOPLE Geffen, 78, has a net worth of $10.2 billion, according to Forbes. A college dropout, he is the owner of multiple record labels and the movie studio DreamWorks. Geffen gave a donation of the same amount to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2017. Its an honor to partner with Yale University to create the first tuition-free drama school of its kind in the nation. Yale is well known for having one of the most respected drama programs in the country. So, when they approached me with this opportunity, I knew Yale was the right place to begin to change the way we think about funding arts education, Geffen said. The school, founded in 1925, offers graduate-level instruction in all areas of theatre, including acting, directing, writing, and design, the only educational institution in the English-speaking world to do so. Full tuition support of our training will help us attract talent from the broadest possible spectrum of potential applicants, and it sends a clear message that Yale is a place where a stimulating mix of gifted students can devote their energies first and foremost to artistry. This will lead to a fuller representation of our society in every aspect of professional practice, the drama school dean, James Bundy, said. There are currently 200 students enrolled in the David Geffen School of Drama. Due to the pandemic, the school did not admit a new class of freshmen for the fall of 2021, so the first class to receive a completely tuition-free education will be those enrolled for fall 2022. Returning students will receive the remainder of their education for free. Story continues Alumni of Yales School of Drama include Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyongo, and Meryl Streep. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Yale University did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Yale, acting, drama, Theater, donations, Philanthropists, Higher Education, College Tuition Original Author: Charles Hilu Original Location: Yale's School of Drama to abolish tuition after billionaires gift Jul. 3It's been a dream several years in the making, but bringing a full-service YMCA to fast-growing Ridgefield is now a reality. The Ridgefield City Council approved an award for site design and planning for the proposed YMCA at its June 24 meeting. According to council documents, the cost of facility design by Johansson Wing Architects is $273,200, including $250,000 awarded from state funds. The documents also added a budget amendment will be needed later in 2021 for the remainder of the cost. Mayor Don Stose said the project is a partnership between the city, the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette and a private developer, Dirgesh Patel of Blue Rock Ventures, who will finance and build the facility. The city will put forth the land and funding for the facility's engineering, Stose said. The project will be located on city-owned land north of Pioneer Street at 51st Avenue with construction expected to begin in early 2022, Stose said. He added the YMCA's grand opening could come later in the year or early 2023. Stose said the public/private partnership is an asset in bringing new services to the fast-growing city. "With growth brings services," Stose said, "and the YMCA is a big part of that." Currently, the county's only other full-service YMCA is at 1124 N.E. 51st Circle, Vancouver. The idea of bringing more YMCAs to other parts of Clark County continues to gain momentum as of late. In March, the Battle Ground City Council heard the latest update from backers who support a full-service YMCA coming to northeast Clark County. A YMCA also is planned for Woodland, which in 2018, included a demolition of a motel for a future facility near Horseshoe Lake, according to Columbian archives. City officials in Ridgefield first worked with the YMCA in 2016 on a needs analysis and market study to residents. Stose noted that grant money on the project from Washington's 18th Legislative District also will provide assistance on membership fees. "It's going to be a really nice place for the community to gather and exercise, swim and everything that the YMCA brings, we'll be able to provide for our citizens," he said. The biggest risk is not receiving the VATI funding, Wood said, but Firefly is working hard to manage the risks. The counties have some access through the American Rescue Plan funds for their portions this year, he said. Thats helpful and helpful to the counties because its difficult for rural counties to find additional funds, but the ARP funds give them a pool of money and a pool that has specific permissions to be spent on broadband expansion. American Rescue Plan money also will be part of what is discussed during a General Assembly special session next month, with broadband being one of the priorities. We know the VATI program has $50 million in funds and we anticipate there being another significant allocation of funds at the state level, Wood said. That will be important because our project will request possibly more than $50 million in VATI funds were looking at a project that would total more than $200 million in construction costs. He said Firefly is working with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, which manages the VATI program, on how to be successful with this application. The pandemic is not over, but Virginias state of emergency is. Gov. Ralph Northam declared the state of emergency on March 12, 2020. Over the last 15 months, Northams office approved statewide health and safety standards, waived laws pertaining to price gouging and mask wearing, activated emergency response teams and issued eviction protections for those impacted by the pandemic. All COVID-19 restrictions lifted last month, but the last of COVID-19 protections established by the proclamation expired at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. After June 30 there will still be an active multi-agency task force working to coordinate resources and activities related to response and recovery, Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Lauren Opett said in an email. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared to stand the (Virginia Emergency Support Team) back up as the situation dictates. Over 4.3 million people in Virginia are fully vaccinated, according to state health departments website. Last week, Virginia reached its goal to inoculate 70% of the states adult population with at least one dose. All over the nation, Republican legislators in the states are passing bills under the pretense of safeguarding election integrity whose clear purpose is to erect barriers to voting that will disproportionately impact demographic groups (racial minorities, legal immigrants, the young, the poor) that vote disproportionately for Democrats. The Republican Party has won the popular vote in only one presidential election since 1988 (2004). Todays GOP has decided that its route to power lies not in finding ways to appeal to majority of Americans but in making it more difficult for the American majority to express itself at the polls. (It is fitting that the brokenness of this assault on Americas basic principle of the consent of the governed is justified by the Republicans by another mighty tool of brokenness a lie, specifically, by what is widely called the Big Lie: i.e. that the 2020 Election was stolen.) And some Republican-controlled states are passing measures to enable their legislatures to overturn the will of even those who manage to vote. Thus are the Republicans waging their side of the battle. Stuff and nonsense! The opposite of woke is to be oblivious or insensate. To my mind, that describes the state of the conservatives railing against CRT. Im reminded of what those discomfited by the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s were wont to say: Our colored the polite term back then were perfectly happy until these outside agitators got to them. No, they were not happy. And they are unhappy still. I am further reminded of the paranoid people who used to worry that fluoridated water might be a communist plot to weaken our minds. Now such people are decrying CRT as a communist plot to indoctrinate our children and to exacerbate division within our society. The supposed evidence for that is twofold: The leading proponent of CRT, law professor Kimberle Crenshaw, is a self-described Marxist, and CRT does focus on class divisions within our society. What some dont understand is that to be an academic Marxist is not to be a communist. Communism is an imperfect, totalitarian application of the political theories of Marx and Lenin. Academic Marxists merely believe our history, politics, and artistic expression can best be understood in terms of socioeconomic class competition and conflict. And anyone who believes America to be a classless society is living in the apocryphal Never-Never Land of American Exceptionalism. Japan's health ministry says lingering fever after coronavirus vaccinations could be a symptom of infection by the virus. Fever, headache, and other reactions to inoculation are most likely to be present the day after getting a jab. A ministry research team says 2 percent of those who received a Pfizer vaccine and 4 percent of those who received a Moderna shot have developed fever 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher the day after their first shot. The team says it is so hard to distinguish symptoms of COVID-19 from reactions to vaccination that some people with fever might not get tested for the coronavirus. The ministry therefore urges people to see a doctor if their fever continues for two days or longer and they have other symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughs, shortness of breath, and lack of smell and taste. The ministry is also urging medical institutions to test or refer to test labs when they examine people with lingering fever after inoculation. If it wasn't clear enough, I have no intention to be against nor offend current English teachers in Japan or the English education in general. I just wanted to share a perspective that's not really taken into consideration when Japanese people talk about English Education. This is just my opinion as an English learner as well as a former English teacher in Japan, and I am well aware how unconstructive it may seem to some of you guys. - SHUNchan It is clear within moments of hearing Sada speak that his experience of life has found him an active participant in some of humanity's most pivotal moments in modern history. At one time in Okinawa for the anti U.S protest of bombing Vietnam, at another surviving and persevering through the Kobe earthquake of 1995. If Sada were to borrow from the wisdom of Bruce Lee it would no doubt include Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one but Id add to that, awesome as well. - WAO RYU!ONLY in JAPAN Police and other search-and-rescue personnel in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, plan to ramp up their efforts at the scene of the weekend mudslides. Prefectural officials say the torrents of mud washed away at least about 130 buildings, including homes, on Saturday in the Izusan district of Atami City. Two people have been confirmed dead. Prefectural and city officials say 23 people had been rescued as of Sunday after having been trapped. Two of them suffered injuries. Atami Mayor Saito Sakae acknowledged at a news conference on Sunday that it is difficult to determine the exact number of people still unaccounted for. He said the city previously put the figure at roughly 20 based on reports from residents in the early stages of the disaster. Saito said officials have confirmed the safety of 68 of the 215 residents of mudslide-stricken parts of Izusan. Officials will work to determine the status of the other 147. A search-and-rescue operation being conducted by police, firefighters, and Self-Defense Force members at the disaster site may soon face more adverse weather. The Meteorological Agency says heavy rain may hit parts of Shizuoka Prefecture on Monday, and is calling on people to stay vigilant. Japan is making arrangements for its COVID-19 vaccination passports to be accepted by over 10 nations, including Italy, France and Greece, after the certificate program begins in late July, government sources said Sunday. If the agreements are reached, certificate holders will be exempt from quarantine or showing negative test results for COVID-19 when traveling from Japan to those countries, the sources said. But the Japanese government plans to continue requiring travelers entering Japan, including returnees, to quarantine for two weeks even if they have been vaccinated. The position has complicated negotiations with countries such as Singapore and Israel, which have called for mutual exemption, the sources said. So-called vaccine passports are official documents showing a person has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The certificate, to be issued by municipalities, will include the holder's name, passport number and date of vaccination. The European Union has its own digital vaccination passport for EU citizens and residents. Certificate holders are exempt from testing and quarantine when traveling to a different country within the bloc. Gemmy, youre a firework. Gemmy is a 10-month-old female hound mix who is currently available for adoption at Midlands Humane Society. Staff members describe her as a sweet girl, but a dog who can be shy at first when meeting new people. She can be a bit jumpy, so it is recommended that she goes to a home with older children. Basic obedience classes would go a long way for this energetic pup. Her adoption fee is $250, which includes a microchip, age-appropriate vaccines and altering. In other shelter news, Midlands is getting ready to open registration for its annual Wags & Wheels Car Show fundraiser outside Thunderbowl on Aug. 29. Midlands will also be hosting its annual fundraising gala in-person later this year after having to host the event virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be held Sept. 17 at its usual venue at the Mid-American Center. Kori Nelson, director of development and marketing at the shelter, said online registration and invites are now available at bidpal.net/mhsgala2021. Nelson said to check the Midlands Facebook page for more announcements concerning the car show and gala. Sometimes you're just putting a hand on a shoulder and don't say a word, said Miami-Dade Police Capt. Rita Rodriguez, a crisis intervention officer who is consoling the families. Because a lot of them just want to tell you about their family member and they want to tell you about how they feel. Mindful of the fact that little things have the power to touch off intense sorrow, officials have been removing potentially triggering details a poorly chosen black sheet draped in a hallway, floral bouquets that arrived with the best of intentions but lent a funereal ambience to the scene. During the briefings, the counselors scan the room for signs of distress. Handlers lead comfort dogs around the space to be petted, and sometimes to sit for a spell on peoples laps. Rooms are available for anyone who needs counseling in private. When we see that theres a person crying, whatever it is, we will have the psychotrauma therapists walk over. They start by offering a box of tissue. And if they want us to sit, we sit; if not, we just stand there and ask if they want to talk, said Annika Holder, Miami-Dade Countys incident commander at the center. Three judges on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued Friday's decision. They said it's clear from federal law that Congress balanced wide-ranging economic, energy-security, and geopolitical implications and that the wording of the law reflects a compromise, not simply a desire to maximize ethanol production at all costs. They concluded Congress did not intend to allow ethanol blends higher than 10% to be widely sold year-round. They said the EPA overstepped its authority. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the trade group for the petroleum industry that challenged the EPA decision, said the court simply followed government's interpretation of the law in effect for 30 years. There is no ambiguity in statute and the previous administrations reinterpretation overstepped the will of Congress, said AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson. The Iowa Corn Growers Association said it will continue to work with the Biden administration, Congress and state officials to maintain consumer access to E15 year-round. "It does not make sense to reinstate barriers that could inhibit market access to a cleaner-burning fuel choice that combats climate change, said Carl Jardon, a farmer from Randolph, Iowa, and president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. No legal documents were drafted. No immunity agreements went before a judge. Even Castors top assistant, who had led the initial investigation, said she knew nothing about it. Neither did Constands lawyer, according to testimony at the sometimes surreal preliminary hearing in February 2016. Castor said he discussed the agreement with a Cosby lawyer who had since died. And he said he issued a signed press release to announce the end of the investigation. Several courts have since parsed the wording of that press release, which opines that both parties in the case could be seen in a less than flattering light, and cautions that Castor would reconsider this decision should the need arise. Constand, in the wake of that decision, sued Cosby in federal court. In the depositions that followed, the trailblazing actor made lurid admissions about his sexual encounters with a string of young women. He acknowledged giving them drugs or alcohol beforehand, while he stayed sober and in control. The list included Constand, who said she took what she thought were herbal products at Cosbys direction, only to find herself semiconscious on his couch. Cosby, in the deposition, famously said he ventured into the area that is somewhere between permission and rejection as Constand lay still. The toll in lives lost is even harder to face. It includes 2,442 U.S. troops, 1,144 coalition troops and an estimated 3,800 U.S. contractors, in addition to nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians, 72 journalists and 444 aid workers. Continuing our military campaign in Afghanistan would undoubtedly increase all these numbers, but we have no reason to believe it would change the end game. The Afghan people are facing an uncertain future, but whether it will be more violent isnt even clear. Two decades of war have brought mass civilian casualties including from airstrikes by U.S. and coalition forces. Fighting could drop if one actor takes dominant control. Instead of asking whether our military should remain in Afghanistan, we should ask what we need to do to advance our limited interests there now. This includes using intelligence resources and working with partners to ensure that what emerges doesnt develop into a direct threat to the United States. We can continue to use diplomacy and development assistance as leverage to try to sway better outcomes, but we should recognize and accept the limitations of this approach in the near term, and of our national security interest at stake. In Iowa, its never too early for a presidential campaign. That much has been clear in 2021 as potential Republican candidates have been laying the groundwork in Iowa for possible campaigns, even while more than half of their base continues to mistakenly believe their partys candidate was the rightful winner of the last one. The 2024 Iowa caucuses are more than two-and-a-half years away, and yet here were Nikki Haley and Tom Cotton in Iowa this past week. And while this wonderful state has many terrific experiences to offer, Haley and Cotton were not here to see the sights or hit the Pizza Ranch buffet. Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; and Cotton, a U.S. senator from Arkansas, both appeared at state party fundraisers this past week: Haley in West Des Moines and Cotton in Sioux Center. And the early-worn trail will remain busy; later this month, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem each possible 2024 Republican presidential candidates are scheduled to appear at an event hosted by the Iowa faith-based organization The Family Leader. One theory for Bidens behavior, based on both news reports and some discussions with Senate aides, is that the White House was taken by surprise when the bipartisan group reached a deal, felt obliged to endorse it, and then got scorched by progressives. To appease them, he blurted out that he would not sign the bipartisan bill without signing the second one in tandem. But that infuriated the moderate Democrats, so he had to backtrack. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still keeping the pressure on the moderates, though, saying she will not allow the House to vote on the bipartisan bill until the Senate has passed the partisan one. Its a strategy that will require stubbornness. It will take weeks to convert the bipartisan agreement into legislative language. Drawing up Sanderss bill and getting it through procedural hurdles will take months. Democrats do not yet agree even on the price tag: He has floated $6 trillion, while Senator Joe Manchin has talked about $2 trillion. Even in todays Washington, thats a big difference. Most congressional Republicans are watching the Democratic infighting from the sidelines. They oppose both spending bills. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Nebraska Press Women has announced award-winners in the NPW Professional Communications Contest. We had 139 entries from across the state and South Dakota, said Mary Jane Skala of Kearney, NPW contest chair, adding that, of those, 43 won first place awards and moved on to national competition. NPW allows South Dakotans to enter its contest since South Dakota does not have a National Federation of Press Women affiliate. Work entered in the competition had to have been published, posted or printed in 2020. Judges can award an entry a first, second, third or honorable mention, but are not obligated to do so. A judge may decide that no entry merits first place (or other) award. The contest is judged by experts in the field, and each entry receives feedback from the judge. Categories in the competition include writing, editing and page design, photography and graphics, radio and television, public relations/promotion/publicity, web and social media, advertising, speeches, books and creative writing. In what may be a record, four Kearney Hub staff members won a total of 69 awards. The four, and their award totals, include: Lori Potter, 28; Skala, 18; Erika Pritchard, 21; and Ana Salazar, 2. Potter retired this spring, and Pritchard now works for the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Were blessed to be at peace this Independence Day with other nations, if not completely among ourselves. Few among us can reasonably believe that the United States in 2021 faces crises remotely comparable to those that most sorely tested our unity or our national freedom. If we believe otherwise, its perhaps useful to hear what some of our greatest presidents had to say when the Fourth of July fell for them in the midst of our most momentous conflicts. We turn the rest of this editorial over to them, except for brief comments to set context. Abraham Lincoln On July 4, 1861, Lincoln sent a message to Congress as it convened for the first time since the Civil War began at Fort Sumter. (The war) presents to the whole family of man the question whether a constitutional republic, or democracy a government of the people by the same people can or can not maintain its territorial integrity against its own domestic foes. ... It forces us to ask: Is there in all republics this inherent and fatal weakness? Must a government of necessity be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence? The Australian Bureau of Statistics is launching an advertising campaign to support the rollout of 2021 Census on August 10. From Sunday, advertising will run on television, radio, print, digital and social media to explain Australia's 18th Census. This year households will have several days to complete the Census, rather than a single night. The advertising encourages people to start their Census as soon as they receive instructions if they know where they'll be on Tuesday, August 10. "We know people expect flexibility and convenience, so this makes it easier for people to fill in their form when it best suits them," Australian Statistician David Gruen said in a statement on Sunday. "I encourage everyone to participate in the 2021 Census and help build a better future for all of us." Dr Gruen said the Census data provides a snapshot of the nation and important information about Australia's economic, social and cultural make-up. "The Census is fundamental to helping us as a nation plan for our future," Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said in a statement. "Census data underpins a broad range of government, business and community decisions from major policy and expenditure to local services across infrastructure, health, education and transport." The data is also used for planning electoral boundaries, federal government grant allocation and GST distribution. Localnews editor's pick Festival and fair planners have faced uncertainties over the last year Mike Jones/ Observer-Reporter Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter The Whiskey Rebellion Festival will return next Saturday in July in downtown Washington after being canceled last year due to the pandemic. jandreassi / Jon Andreassi/Observer-Reporter Jon Andreassi/Observer-Reporter The Washington County Agricultural Fair will be returning this year. When were sipping our hot chocolate and sporting bulky sweaters in the dead of winter, organizers are planning for the festivals and fairs that are summertime staples. In a typical year, they can go about the routine business of lining up vendors, booking musical acts and ordering portable restrooms without worrying too much about what the landscape is going to look like when the sun is high in the sky and people will be chasing away sweat with cold refreshments. Over the last 12 months, however, as COVID-19 ebbed and flowed, organizers had to consider if they could proceed as usual, not proceed at all, or if they could go forward in some modified fashion. Consider the annual art fair that happens in Ann Arbor, Mich., every July. One of the largest art fairs in the country, first it was going to happen. Then, organizers announced it would be cancelled. Two weeks later, they did an about-face and announced it was on again, thanks to restrictions in the state being loosened by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Closer to home, Washingtons Whiskey Rebellion Festival, which was called off last year like most other events, will be happening this year. But rather than a multi-day celebration of the citys heritage, it has been reduced to one day of festivities scheduled for next Saturday. The decision was made to modify it in March, and our hope was to do it even if it was going to be pared down, said Joe Piszczor, co-chairman of the festival. We always had a contingency plan, Piszczor added. We were operating under a couple of different options. He pointed out that they were concerned they would not be able to line up a sufficient number of volunteers if they had gone ahead with a full festival, and older artists and vendors were going to stay away thanks to lingering coronavirus concerns. Also, businesses that have traditionally supported the festival have endured their own tough times over the last 15 months or so. Nevertheless, Piszczor explained, We have a lot of cool new attractions, in the festival, and it will be a healing experience for all of us. People miss seeing other people, he added. They realize interpersonal relationships are important. At about the same time it was announced the Whiskey Rebellion Festival was on, organizers of the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival near Latrobe said they would be pulling the plug on it for the second year in a row. It had been set for this weekend, and, at the time its cancellation was announced, the festivals board said in a statement that the event would not be able to offer the enriching and entertaining experience that they have come to love and expect due to the current restrictions and mandates. Of course, those restrictions are now gone. Are there any regrets about calling it off? In hindsight, we could have gone ahead and had the festival, but April is our critical month, said Diane Shrader, the festivals executive director. Thats when they pull together advertising, she said, and when they had to line up shuttle buses, volunteers and vendors. There are a lot of things we had to consider, Shrader pointed out. Plans are already being hatched for the festival to make an in-person return next June 30. In the meantime, a virtual component of the festival will go forward this year. The Washington County Agricultural Fair was scrapped last year, but its scheduled for August, and will operate much the way it did before the pandemic, except organizers will be booking local musical acts rather than national artists. According to Wayne Hunnell, director of the fairs board, Life is getting a little easier. There are some things we thought we would have to do quite a bit differently, but things will be closer to normal for us. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trusts Three Rivers Arts Festival unfolded in June with both virtual and in-person events. Festival organizers initially announced that those attending the festivals would need timed tickets and use a health app on their phones to be admitted to some events. But when restrictions were lifted, they opted to move concerts to Point State Park that had been scheduled for the nearby Byham Theater. The need to use tickets and the health app were also scrapped. If we learned anything in 2020, its that we must remain fluid, said Sarah Aziz, the festivals director. In the months leading up to the festival, 12 different scenarios were put together on how the festival could happen, from it not happening at all, to it occurring as it did in 2019 and the years before. They ultimately chose a festival with a reduced number of artists who were spread out at different locations, and having the festival on weekends rather than over a 10-day span. We felt really confident we could do it, Aziz said. It was all hands on deck. Its estimated that 150,000 to 200,000 people attended the festival. Aziz said some of the modifications they had to make will remain, like putting artists in the Cultural District rather than concentrating them in Point State Park and the area behind the Wyndham Grand hotel. We found a few ways that we could make it better, she noted. Washington, PA (15301) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Guyana is continuing to build its reputation as the new oil hub of the Americas, with more oil firms seeking a stake in the countrys oil fields where it seems new discoveries are being made almost every month as exploration activities continue. International oil giants Hess, CNOOC, and ExxonMobil all have a stake in Guyanas Stabroek Block where the firms have made significant discoveries over the last five years. Exxon alone claims to have made 20 discoveries, expected to contain around nine billion barrels of recoverable oil equivalent resources. Eco-Atlantic is the latest oil firm to join the major players, acquiring a stake in JHI Associates and taking its share in the Canje block off the coast of Guyana, where Exxon operates. A 2021 multi-well exploration program will develop upon activities in the Canje Block to see how far the regions hydrocarbon system extends. The low-risk drilling project could provide greater insight into the extent of Guyanas oil reserves. Eco has stated, "This transaction will increase Eco Atlantic's presence in the Guyana-Suriname basin to include a three-well drilling programme, with the first two firm wells on the Canje Block drilling in 2021 and at least one on the Orinduik Block, subject to partner approval." This will develop upon Exxons discovery last month at Longtail-3 in the Stabroek Block. The firm found newly identified, high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs underneath the original Longtail-1 discovery intervals. Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil explains, Longtail-3, combined with our recent discovery at Uaru-2, has the potential to increase our resource estimate within the Stabroek block, demonstrating further growth of this world-class resource and our high-potential development opportunities offshore Guyana. To speed up exploration and evaluation activities this year, in line with the increasing global oil demand, Exxon has launched two additional drillships, Stena DrillMAX and the Noble Sam Croft. Guyana can expect an anticipated oil output of 1.2 million bpd by 2030, according to estimates. This could lead it to rival neighboring Latin American oil giant Venezuela, whose oil industry has suffered significantly due to U.S. sanctions on production and exports. The country is now beginning to develop partnerships with the worlds growing oil markets, sending its first oil shipment to India this month as trial cargo. Guyana will ship 1 million barrels of its Liza light sweet crude via Greece, expected to arrive at India's Paradip port around 8th August. Since OPEC imposed restrictions on oil production earlier this year, driving up oil prices, India has been looking to diversify its oil imports. Indias Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made it clear that Indias priority for its energy imports was competitive pricing, and if OPEC+ couldnt provide this, the huge Indian market would look elsewhere. Indian officials are now said to be in talks with Guyanas government over a potential longer-term oil contract. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) is the refiner testing this first cargo shipment, which could lead the way for the new South American oil region to expand its export market to Asia. With India importing around 80 percent of its oil needs, it has become a key market for many of the worlds oil producers. As Guyanas oil industry goes from strength to strength and large oil markets look to diversify their imports, the small South American state could soon become one of the major players. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A remarkable oil rally has seen oil prices climb almost 34 percent so far this year. Bullish sentiment is now driving speculation of $100 oil in 2021 as collective confidence of a rebound in global economic activity gains momentum. However, there are plenty of bearish factors that remain in oil markets that analysts would do well not to overlook. Chinese refiners have already started to tap into their reserves, threatening to hurt demand from the worlds largest oil importer. Geopolitically, the possibility of sanctions on Irans oil industry being lifted could lead to a new flood of supply while tensions between China and the U.S. could reignite a trade war between the two. Finally, as oil prices rise we may see U.S. shale production inch up, adding to global supply. While there is plenty to be bullish about in oil markets, calls for $100 oil are premature, to say the least. It is interesting to note that there seems to be a trend in oil markets at the moment where slightly positive news will see a major reaction while bearish news will be all but ignored. In such an environment, a sudden shift in sentiment could drive a major change in oil prices. While it is unclear where such a shift in sentiment will come from, it is more than likely to come before oil prices hit $100. One key bearish factor to look at is the potential for a reduction in oil imports from China. Consider the fact that Chinese refiners took 589,000 bpd out of their refineries in May according to Clyde Russell. China amassed a huge amount of oil when prices hit a 20 year low and as prices continue to rise, China will be increasingly incentivized to tap its reserves rather than import expensive oil. While this is unlikely to change the underlying fundamentals of oil markets, the reduction in Chinese imports is certainly one of the factors that could finally drive a shift in oil market sentiment. Related: Oil And Gas Rig Count Jumps As Oil Nears 3-Year High An interesting factor to consider on a geopolitical front is the return of Iranian crude if U.S. sanctions on the countrys oil industry are lifted. Not only is there a potential for Iran to return to its pre-sanction production levels of 2.8 mbp, but it could also bring more oil to the market by using its inventories of 60 million barrels. Such a development would certainly show up in the numbers and could once again impact the mood of investors. Another geopolitical factor to keep an eye on is U.S.-China relations. The U.S. is trying to block the purchase of Magnachip by Chinese equity funds. An escalation, at any point, between the U.S. and China on the trade war front would spell trouble for oil markets and hurt the current bullishness in markets. It is these geopolitical changes that historically have had the biggest role in shifting the tone of media coverage and, by extension, the dominant sentiment in oil markets. Related: OPEC: From Increasingly Irrelevant To Ultimate Market Mover An increase in oil price is always great news for U.S. shale producers as more production can be supported when prices are higher. Up until now, these producers have been adhering to a self-imposed discipline and not adding more rigs. To give you a sense of just how disciplined these producers have been, the last time prices were at current levels the total number of rigs operating was 1000, today there are only 470. While production and rig count arent directly associated (as advancement in technology can lead rigs to produce more oil) if prices continue to increase we will likely see more rigs and more production. According to Primary Visions Frac Spread Count, we currently stand at 233 spreads as of 25th June 2021, which as can be seen in the chart below, is very high as compared to last year. Furthermore, as mentioned by Rystads head of analytics, there is plenty of spare capacity that can be used to pump up production if required. He also pointed out that oil demand is still 5 million barrels below normal levels. To add to that, the spread of the Delta Covid variant and new restrictions in Europe (Germany, Spain, and Portugal) could spell fresh trouble for the global economy. As of 29th June 29, 2021, the UK has reported 22,868 more cases, the highest since 30th January 2021. Finally, OPEC+ is expected to raise output slower than expected and was forced to delay its output decision due to a failure to agree over a sudden increase in production. This further highlights the fact that concerns regarding a return in demand remain (especially after the spread of Delta variant) and OPEC+ uncertainty has already put downward pressure on oil prices. Oil prices havent hit $100 since 2014, and the current oil market does not justify such a price. It would require a major geopolitical event such as a missile strike on a refinery to bolster the case for $100. Every time oil prices increase there is added incentive for China to slow down its consumption and for shale to ramp up its production. All of that is before considering the multiple bearish factors hanging over markets. Oil analysts beware, the sentiment in oil markets may shift soon. By Osama Rizvi for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The ISS was created in 1998 and involved cooperation from Russia, the US, Japan, Canada and those countries that formed the European Space Agency. Since then, 18 countries have sent astronauts to the ISS and it has often been lauded as one of the most impressive attempts at international cooperation. However, in April 2021, Russia announced that it had plans to leave the ISS in 2025 and start work on its own space station. This follows on from the announcement in September 2020 by Roscosmos Russias space agency that it was aiming to send a mission to Venus and build a lunar space station with China. International implications of Russias announcement There has been much speculation surrounding Russias choice to leave the space partnership of the ISS, with concerns that it may be a result of tensions with both the US, and the West more generally. The announcement by Roscosmos comes at a time when relationships with the West are already strained as a result of the accumulation of Russian troops on the Russian-Ukrainian border, along with the Kremlins decision to imprison opposition leader Alexei Navalny, as well as thousands of his supporters. Russias exit from the ISS has also been viewed by some as being part of a pivot by Moscow towards Beijing, as they have also announced that they plan to create a lunar space station with China. This would add to the pattern of cooperation that Moscow and Beijing envisage, including the possibility of forming a military alliance. All of this is indicative of Russias desire to decrease its cooperation with the West and demonstrate that it is forging a new path. Related: OPEC: From Increasingly Irrelevant To Ultimate Market Mover An added benefit at home, too? Although the international implications of the decision to leave the ISS have been carefully scrutinised, the domestic impact has not been as closely examined. At the moment, Putin is losing popular support domestically. This is most likely in response to the incarceration and subsequent treatment of Alexei Navalny and his supporters, his inconsistent Covid-19 response, which some have described as confusing, and the unpopular pension reforms that were introduced a couple of years ago. It is entirely possible that the decision to announce Russias withdrawal from the ISS was timed to rally support for a project that would boost his domestic popularity and stir national pride. Whilst domestic prosperity may have taken a backseat to international interests in informing Russias decision to leave the ISS, choosing this moment to break away from other countries at the ISS does create a distraction from domestic problems. This move is in line with diversionary war theory. Instead of a diversionary war, Putin has created a diversionary space race: a patriotic project to garner support for his leadership that may momentarily alter the focus of the population from the issues and troubles that they have with the Kremlin. Putin has acted similarly in the past. In 2014, he annexed Crimea, on the basis that ethnic Russians living there needed protection and that it was, in fact, the property of Russia. The Kremlin was able to garner a significant amount of domestic support for the move and it certainly served to distract from domestic issues at the time. Domestic problems in 2014 included economic woes, low living standards for many Russians and weak parliamentary elections. A pattern has begun to reveal itself where international strategies are created with domestic amnesia as their end goal. Related: Oil And Gas Rig Count Jumps As Oil Nears 3-Year High Patriotism stronger than dissatisfaction? Russias decision to leave the ISS this spring may have been meant as a diversionary space race. Time will tell as to whether it succeeds in this mission but there is a chance that it could boost patriotic fervour and support for Putins leadership. Given the news that Russia plans to be the first to make a feature film in space on the ISS (before their withdrawal) and the recent patriotic Victory Day celebrations in May (designed to reassure Russians both of their countrys greatness and of their leaders concern for them), Russias decision to leave the ISS could be part of a wider and grander plan to restore confidence in the country and its leader. These developments act as a tool with which Putin can neatly package and sell Russias innovation and leadership. That being said, the level of grievance surrounding events with Alexei Navalny should not be underestimated. The fact that there have been recent court deliberations that labelled Navalnys organisation as extremist, as well as restrictions on his organisations activities, will only entrench some of the dissatisfaction and anger felt by many Russians. Put simply, Russias withdrawal from the ISS may divert attention from politics on the ground, but not for long. By Global Risk Insights More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A business that has been a landmark in central Omaha for nearly 50 years is consolidating operations and closing up shop in a commercial area primed for redevelopment. On Thursday, Wolf Brothers Western Store owners Tom and Dick Kirshenbaum agreed to sell the 10,000-square-foot building to a group of investors including P.J. Morgan Real Estate CEO Ryan Ellis. The building is located along Dodge Street just east of 72nd Street. Tom Kirshenbaum, 72, said the investors approached him and Dick and gave the brothers an unsolicited offer that turned out to be a no-brainer. We decided this was the right time to do this, he said. We have really mixed emotions. But we just couldnt turn it down. Kirshenbaum declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal. In a text message, Ellis said the investors plan to renovate the current Wolf Brothers building for a new user that will be announced soon. Now that the deal is finalized, Kirshenbaum said the store will have a clearance sale beginning Monday. Discounts for items, including fixtures, will be at least 25%. Kirshenbaum anticipates the sale will last through September. One item that wont be for sale: the iconic neon cowboy sign. Education alert Should Nebraska schoolkids learn 1776 or 1619 as the nation's birthday? As Americans stock up on beer and hot dogs to celebrate the Fourth of July, fireworks of the political kind are blowing up in Nebraska and across the country over vastly different narratives of the nation's birth. The New York Times Magazine's multimedia collection of essays, literature and photos called the 1619 Project places the birth year at 1619, when the first ship containing enslaved Africans docked in Virginia. That's 157 years before 1776, when the 13 colonies declared their independence from the British monarchy the year most Americans were taught and believe the United States began. The debate is over more than dates. It is about slavery, the depth of America's historical commitment to rid the country of it and its consequences today. The sparks from this national debate have ignited a fierce fight in Nebraska over which version children should be taught in public schools. Nebraska Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts fueled the fire in a recent column, calling for removal of the 1619 Project and another curriculum resource, the Zinn Education Project, from a list of educational resources posted on the Nebraska Department of Education's website. Ricketts called the 1619 Project "revisionist history of the American founding" and tied it to critical race theory. "Make no mistake: critical race theory is an attack on our countrys core values," he wrote. Jim Pillen, saying he's not speaking as an NU regent, condemns critical race theory Critical race theory did not come up at Friday's meeting of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, but Regent Jim Pillen said afterward that he will "oppose it as your governor." Two Republican candidates for governor, Jim Pillen and Charles Herbster, have called for keeping critical race theory and the 1619 Project out of schools. Although it's hard to tell whether a teacher somewhere in Nebraska has used the project or theory in the classroom, 14 large and urban districts told The World-Herald they don't currently teach either as part of their formal curriculum. So what is so controversial about the 1619 Project? The 1619 Project presents slavery not as a blemish on an otherwise good country but as a chronic disease that infected the whole of society, drove an economy that made White people rich and was preserved and protected by the founders. According to the project's authors, its stated goal was "to reframe American history by considering what it would mean to regard 1619 as our nations birth year. Doing so requires us to place the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the story we tell ourselves about who we are as a country." The project was published in 2019 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first Africans enslaved and brought to Virginia. Nikole Hannah-Jones, writer for the New York Times Magazine, wrote in her lead essay: "Our democracys founding ideals were false when they were written." The Declaration of Independence may say all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, but Hannah-Jones writes that "the White men who drafted those words did not believe them to be true for the hundreds of thousands of Black people in their midst." Her essay argues that White wealth and power were built on the backs of Black slaves who were denied the benefits of their sweat and blood. She wrote that anti-Black racism "runs in the very DNA of this country," and there has never been a genuine effort to redress the wrongs of slavery and the century of racial apartheid that followed. Some might argue, she writes, "that this nation was founded as a slavocracy not a democracy." Hannah-Jones won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for the project. Recently, conservatives questioned whether she had the credentials to receive tenure at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but last week, trustees granted it. The Pulitzer Center, a nonprofit that supports journalism projects, produced curriculum based on the project. According to the Pulitzer Center, tens of thousands of students in all 50 states have used the resources, which include reading guides, lesson plans and extension activities. Five school systems, the center says, adopted the curriculum: Buffalo, New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Delaware; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The World-Herald filed public records requests in June with 14 large and mostly urban Nebraska districts to find out if materials, resources or teaching approaches related to critical race theory or the 1619 Project were included in their approved curriculum or otherwise endorsed by the district administration for use in the classroom. Gov. Ricketts says he is 'opposed to critical race theory' Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts this week said he is opposed to critical race theory, voicing an increasingly common opinion among Republican politicians. All of the districts, including the Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and Kearney districts and 10 other metro Omaha districts, responded that critical race theory and the 1619 Project are not currently a part of the approved curriculum. Several responded that their districts have not taken a position on whether to endorse their use. Most districts update their curriculum on a five- to seven-year cycle. Some districts, however, allow for teachers to supplement their lessons with additional resources. So it's possible the 1619 Project Curriculum has been used in a Nebraska classroom. The Nebraska Department of Education lists the 1619 Project Curriculum and the Zinn Education Project with other resources on its website under the heading "Anti-Racism and Equity Resources." The Zinn curriculum is based on author and activist Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." Zinn, who aligned himself with a host of liberal causes, died in 2010. The Zinn Education Project, among other things, seeks to abolish Columbus Day and says young people need to reexamine the concept of "American exceptionalism" and patriotism. The Zinn project website, pushing back on states banning CRT, said last month that states "are attempting to pass legislation that would require teachers to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history." The project called on teachers to pledge to "teach the truth." The Nebraska Education Department posts a disclaimer saying that it does not endorse the instructional materials and resources that are listed. Maureen Nickels, president of the Nebraska State Board of Education, said: "The state board doesn't dictate what goes on the website." "Could we take action on it? We could. Will we? I don't know. We don't meet again until August, and no agenda's been set. But it's not something past boards have done regarding resources that are put on the website for districts to consider using." She said it's up to curriculum directors and local school boards to decide if the 1619 Project is accurate and whether they will use it as a resource. Nebraska Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said his department is not promoting any particular curriculum. "Last year, there was a real concern to help address the national and Nebraska unrest around race, racism, and that was the context of the placement on the website," he said. He doesn't think there's a clear understanding of what CRT is. "I suspect 'multicultural' education of the 1990s would be considered CRT by some," he said. Although people have differing interpretations of critical race theory, a central tenet, and a key source of argument, is the assertion that the laws and legal institutions in the U.S. are inherently racist and advantage White people over other races, particularly African Americans. Buffett Institute denies promoting critical race theory in webinars for early childhood teachers Supporters and critics of the controversial theory packed a meeting of the Learning Community's coordinating council, which was voting on tow contracts with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. Critical race theorists say race is a social construct, that is, made up by society to enable oppression of one race by another. They question the effectiveness of viewing other races with colorblindness. Instead, they advocate adopting a color-conscious approach and taking more direct action to right the wrongs they perceive. Conservative critics say critical race theory is anti-American, Marxist and racist, because it divides people summarily by skin color into categories of oppressor and oppressed and doesn't account for individuality. As for the 1619 Project, critics say it falsely presents slavery as the backbone of the American story. After publication, citing advice from scholars, the magazine issued a clarification regarding the contention that slavery was a primary motivation of the colonists wanting to revolt from England. The clarification said it was the motivation for some colonists. One of the critics was President Donald Trump, who last September created the President's Advisory 1776 Commission to essentially push back on the narrative. He described CRT and the 1619 Project as "toxic propaganda." The commission, he said, would promote "patriotic education." In an executive order, Trump said that despite "the virtues and accomplishments of this nation, many students are now taught in school to hate their own country and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes but rather villains." The commission released its 1776 Report on Jan. 18 and bluntly rejected the premise of the 1619 Project. "There was no United States of America before July 4th, 1776," it stated. Before then, Americans were just "subjects of a distant king," it said. It dismissed the charge that the founders were hypocrites who didnt believe in their stated principles. "This charge is untrue, and has done enormous damage, especially in recent years, with a devastating effect on our civic unity and social fabric," they said. According to the commission, the founders "planted the seeds of the death of slavery in America." Nebraska education officials promise changes to proposed health standards The first draft of the standards calls for teaching children as young as first grade about gender identity and gender stereotypes. Officials only hinted at what might be changed in the second draft. President Joe Biden terminated the commission on his first day in office. In April, his administration announced its intent to prioritize some federal education grants to projects that "incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse perspectives into teaching and learning." The administration cited the 1619 Project as an example. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson joined 19 other state attorneys general in a May 19 letter objecting to the way the U.S. Department of Education would prioritize grants. "The proposed priorities are a thinly veiled attempt at bringing into our states' classrooms the deeply flawed and controversial teachings of Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project," the letter said. CRT and the 1619 Project "work to discriminate against students who are inappropriately defined as having 'privilege' or being 'oppressors' based solely on their race," they wrote. James Le Sueur, chair of the history department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said he's concerned about attempts to ban discussion of CRT and the 1619 Project. Historians for decades have been awakening to the idea that history can't be examined solely from a White-centered or Euro-centered point of view, he said. He said he believes the 1619 Project is historically accurate, but he cautions about saying one viewpoint is true and another is not. "That's just not how academia should work," Le Sueur said. "We should be able to compare and contrast and debate ideas and arrive at a fair analysis of the issues. If you start banning things, to me that looks like McCarthyism." Our best Omaha staff photos of June 2021 Close Tuesday we can join Simon again in the World of Mages. Any Way the Wind Blows, the third book in Nebraska author Rainbow Rowells young adult series about young mage Simon Snow, will be released July 6. It promises to tell secrets, answer questions, and lay ghosts to rest. Simon was originally a Greek name meaning flat-nosed. It was used in first-century Palestine as the Greek form of Hebrew Shimon, he has heard, a common name among Jews. Nine Simons are found in the New Testament, including apostle Simon the Zealot; Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus cross; and Simon Peter, later the first Pope. In England, the names fame was reinforced by Simon Stock (1165-1265), a Carmelite monk whose visions of the Virgin Mary earned him veneration as a saint. Simon ranked 13th in England around 1380, leading to Sims, Simpson, Symonds, etc., being common surnames. Rowells Simon Snow lives in England. Other characters include Baz, Penelope, Agatha and Fiona, all names Americans think are particularly British. But until 1950, Simon was more common in the United States. Ricketts called the 1619 Project "revisionist history of the American founding" and tied it to critical race theory. "Make no mistake: critical race theory is an attack on our countrys core values," he wrote. Two Republican candidates for governor, Jim Pillen and Charles Herbster, have called for keeping critical race theory and the 1619 Project out of schools. Although it's hard to tell whether a teacher somewhere in Nebraska has used the project or theory in the classroom, 14 large and urban districts told The World-Herald they don't currently teach either as part of their formal curriculum. So what is so controversial about the 1619 Project? The 1619 Project presents slavery not as a blemish on an otherwise good country but as a chronic disease that infected the whole of society, drove an economy that made White people rich and was preserved and protected by the founders. According to the project's authors, its stated goal was "to reframe American history by considering what it would mean to regard 1619 as our nations birth year. Doing so requires us to place the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the story we tell ourselves about who we are as a country." Pinkett said Brown made an epic escape into Canada. Once slavery was abolished, Brown made his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for many years. By 1910, he moved to Omaha to live with his daughter until his death. Sally Bayne is acknowledged to be the first free Black settler in Omaha, arriving sometime in 1855. Beyond that, her life story is unknown. Maybe she is the person mentioned in an Omaha Star article in 1975, with information furnished by the Great Plains Black History Museum: The first Black to live in Omaha was the servant of territorial governor Mark W. Izard. They both appeared at the governors inaugural ball held in late February 1855. Bill Lee, who arrived in 1856, opened Omahas first barber shop in the Douglas House at 1301 Harney St. He was the first Black businessman to advertise in the Omaha Weekly Nebraskian newspaper. He had a part in shaming a pair of horse thieves in October of that year. Not the brightest duo, they twice attempted to sell stolen horses to the Pawnees near Elkhorn. Frontier justice prevailed and the men were escorted to the ferry to Iowa, their heads left half-shaven by Lee and with the welts from 39 or 49 lashes. Build it, and they will come. Well, if youre talking about the Nebraska prison system, it all depends on who they are. The prediction unfortunately might be right about the number of inmates if Nebraska builds the new, $230 million prison proposed by the Ricketts administration. It surely would be wrong, though, to think that Nebraskans would step forward in significant numbers to staff the facility. Nebraska is struggling desperately to meet its prison staffing needs already. Nebraskans have seen proof in recent days: The state has now declared a staffing emergency at no fewer than four of its prison facilities, including its two largest prisons, the State Penitentiary and the combined Lincoln Correctional Center and Diagnostic and Evaluation Center. In all, staffing emergencies affect more than half of the 5,300-inmate state prison population. Vans transport more than 70 corrections officers a day from Omaha to fill vacancies at the departments facilities in Tecumseh and in Lincoln. Yet, the staffing problem remains acute and intractable. Ghana paid a total of GH1.9 billion in judgment debts over the last two decades, a comprehensive review by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), an independent social accountability entity, has revealed. The CSJ's review of the payments from 2000 to 2019 showed that about GH1.4 billion of the judgment debt paid over the period arose from alleged contractual breaches by government and its agencies. Additionally, GH479 million of the judgment debts resulted from compensation on land acquisition by the state, while statutory breaches accounted for GH29.9 million. The study, which explored trends, patterns, causes and impact of judgment debt payments from the public coffers over the two decades, relying on data from the Sole Commissioner's Report and the Auditor-General's Report of 2011 to 2019, cited "negligence, blatant disregard for public procurement laws, illegal abrogation of contracts and corrupt activities by public officials in their line of duty" as the primary causes of the judgment debts. Negative impact At a virtual forum held to discuss the findings of the study last Thursday, the CSJ Fellow, Dr Theresa Mannah-Blankson, said they had discovered huge amounts of outstanding judgment debts which could further deplete the national coffers. "While the findings were based on actual payments made between 2000 and 2019, our review showed staggering amounts of outstanding judgment debts. For example, the Auditor-General's Report showed that for 2017 alone, GH411.6 million was outstanding," she said. The Assistant Professor of Finance and Economy at the University of North Carolina, US, said the payment of huge judgment debts and constant accumulation of the debts by successive governments was a major threat to national development. For instance, she revealed that the GH1.9 billion paid in judgment debts as of 2019 was equivalent to 135 per cent of new multilateral loans contracted in 2019; 112 per cent of the total central government grants received in 2019 and 30 per cent of health expenditure for that same year. The CSJ fellow added that the recurring judgment debts were worrying, given that the country was grappling with a myriad of development challenges such as rising public debts, persistent deficits, high youth unemployment and over 30 per cent of the population living in poverty. Action Dr Mannah-Blankson called for institutional arrangements and legal reforms to ensure efficient delivery of government business in a manner that would guard against judgment debts. From the legal perspective, she called on the Special Prosecutor to independently investigate all judgment debts in the Fourth Republic and prosecute all offenders. Similarly, she said it was important for the Attorney-General to ensure that only trained or expert lawyers were allowed to prosecute cases to avoid recurring judgment debts. Among other things, she proposed the formulation of a judgment debt management policy and the maintenance of a register of all contracts entered into by government entities, "which must be reviewed by the Audit Service before they are executed." She also stressed the need for the procurement laws to be strictly followed while adopting human resource practices that ensured hired public officials adhere to the ethics of governance. For his part, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, described the review of the CSJ as revealing and called for people in authority to act swiftly to address the issues of judgment debt. He said given that the country had limited resources at its disposal, no room should be allowed for slippages through judgment debts. He called for a holistic look at sustainable ways of dealing with judgment debts devoid of political games. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has led a government delegation to Ejura in the Ashanti Region to commiserate with families of the three people who died in Ejura earlier this week. The three, Ibrahim Mohammed alias Kaaka, died in hospital under mysterious circumstances, while the other two, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed died during a protest by the youth of the town following the death of Kaaka. The Vice President's visit on Friday, followed an earlier one on Thursday by the Minister for Interior, Ambrose Dery. The Vice President's delegation, which included the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu called on families of all the three victims, and also visited the injured. At the bereaved families, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, who spoke on behalf of the Vice President, commiserated with the grieving families and assured them of government's quest to investigate the circumstances which led to the death of their loved ones for appropriate action to be taken. The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu led Islamic prayers for the three victims and also prayed to Allah to comfort the bereaved families. Vice President Bawumia donated 20,000 Cedis to each of the three bereaved families, and also gave each of the injured 10,000 Cedis. Dr. Bawumia and the National Chief Imam later joined the Muslim community to observe Jummah prayers at the Ejura Central Mosque. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched an investigation to fish out the persons behind the intended export of some five containers of rosewood species. The documentation on the containers was being prepared by the Global Container Terminal (GCT) at the Tema Port when the content was discovered to be the banned species. During a fact-finding mission to the port on the detention of the species by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Deputy Minister, Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, tasked the managers of the GCT to submit the documentation on the containers to enable investigations into who the exporters of the species were. The containers were impounded on June 17, 2021, by the Customs Division after officials of the Energy Commission had trailed it to the terminal on suspicion that it contained charcoal meant for export without the requisite permit. The Principal Revenue Officer at the Customs Division in charge of export at the Amaris Export Terminal, Mr Emmanuel Dzakpasu, said officials had to issue a detention notice on the containers although no individual or organisation had come forward to process the export declaration on them. We issued the detention order when officials of the Forestry Commission confirmed that they were rosewood species and we are only waiting for the 30-day mandatory period to elapse so that the confiscation notice can be issued, Mr Dzakpasu explained. Statistics The logging of rosewood tree species for export has persisted in the face of a ban on the act and reports suggest it has depleted the Savannah forest zone in the northern areas of the country. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in 2019 reported that illegal trading of rosewood trees cost Ghana nearly six million of the wood species, which were mostly exported to China. The report indicated that over 540,000 tonnes of rosewood, the equivalent of 23,478 24-footer containers, were illegally harvested and exported to China from Ghana from 2012 to 2019 although the ban on harvesting and trade of the tree species was still in force. Local use Mr Owusu-Bio indicated that the ban on harvesting, transportation and export of rosewood was still in force, noting that the seizure clearly showed that there were some loopholes in the monitoring and enforcement regime, and tasked the Forestry Commission to step up its monitoring efforts. He said although the seizure was the first to have been carried out in the last eight months, it showed that the system needed an improvement. Similarly, he said discussions were being held with stakeholders to grow the local wood manufacturing sector by way of value addition and efficient regulation in the exploitation of the species in accordance with agreements with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). We want to use this investigation to check the loopholes in the system to increase enforcement of the ban on the harvesting and exportation of rosewood, Mr Owusu-Bio said. Henceforth, rosewood that may be impounded, confiscated and auctioned would not be allowed to be exported. Rather, we are going to create the local market for its use since we have come to identify that rosewood sent to China could equally be used for the production of luxury furniture which is exported to the global market, including Ghana, he added. The ministry, he said, was engaging local producers by giving them some of the species for free for assessment to check whether their machines could process them. The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Mr John Allotey, indicated that officials had initiated mechanisms to monitor the loading of the species at bulk loading points since most traders often purchased them in singles from different harvesting locations. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu on Friday, July 2, joined the Muslim community in Ejura to observe Friday congregational prayers (Jummah) in the town. Ejura town has been in the news all week for the wrong reasons, following the mysterious death of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Kaaka of and two others, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed, who also died during a youth march to protest Kaaka's death. On Friday, Dr. Bawumia led a delegation, which included the National Chief Imam to Ejura to commiserate with the bereaved families. After calling on the bereaved families and visiting the injured, the Vice President, the National Chief Imam and other Muslim members of the delegation joined the Zongo community in Ejura to observe Jummah prayers at the Ejura Central Mosque. The National Chief Imam, who led prayers at the packed mosque, delivered a sermon on appreciation of Allah's grace and eschewing jealousy. After the main prayers were said, Sheikh Sharubutu led the congregation to say special prayers for the three who lost their lives and asked Allah to extend His mercy on them. Following a directive by President Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery has set up a three-member committee to investigate circumstances which led to the death of the three. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed the spread of the 'Delta' variant of the Coronavirus disease at the Achimota School in Accra. A total of 135 students and teachers initially tested positive for the coronavirus disease on campus with various variants. But it is 46 who are currently with active cases of the disease on campus as of Sunday, July 4, 2021. The active cases on the campus of Achimota is a combination of different variants but the Delta variant is the dominant one. The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye who confirmed the presence of the Delta variant at Achimota did not disclose the number of the Delta variant cases at Achimota except to say that a "significant" number of the cases were the Delta variant. He said the infected students have been quarantined. Tests are still ongoing on the campus, including some of the students who are day students. 34 Delta variant cases in Ghana With respect to the Delta variant, the community spread in Ghana was detected on July 1, 2021 and Dr Kuma Aboagye said a total of 34 cases of the variant has since been detected in Ghana. The Delta variant, which was first detected in India and easily transmissible was first recorded in Ghana in April 2021 but that was at the port of entry at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). By June 22, 2021, when the GHS officially announced the presence of the variant in Ghana, it said it was six cases that had been recorded and they were all detected at the port of entry. No community spread had been detected as of then. The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye addressing a press briefing in Accra on Sunday [July 4, 2021] said the Achimota cases have been contained on the campus as of now, even though more people were still being tested. But he added that it was detected that the adherence to the protocols on the campus of Achimota School was very low. How the Achimota School situation was detected Between June 14 and 16, 2021, three students of Achimota School presented to the sickbay of the school with Influenza-like symptoms. All three were investigated for COVID-19 in line with laid down protocols and they all tested positive. This, according to Dr Kuma Aboagye prompted the activation of the Public Health Emergency Rapid Response Teams (PHERRT) of the Greater Accra Region and the Okaikoi North Municipal of the GHS. The three students were isolated and other symptomatic students and contacts were identified, listed and also tested for COVID-19. They were all placed in mandatory quarantine on campus. Achimota situation as of July 3, 2021 By July 3, 2021, a total of 843 students and staff had been sampled. 348 of them are boarding students, 459-day students and 36 teaching staff. The results of 550 samples are ready and 135 have tested positive with 293 results still pending. The 293 pending samples were collected on July 3, 2021. Status of cases at Achimota All the 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or mild to moderate illness, Dr Aboagye said. The GHS says one staff is among those affected and approximately two-thirds of the cases - 89 - have recovered with 46 current active cases. Delta more transmissible What is different in the genetic makeup is that the Delta variant is more transmissible than the original variant. It means that if the original COVID infected let's say 10 people for each infected person, this one will infect maybe 17 or 18 people. Biomedical scientists have explained that if you look at the data from all the different countries, it is the Pfizer vaccine that is able to have a more reliable effect on the newer variants in terms of all levels of protection - from hospitalization, from death, from infection. The Pfizer vaccine seems to be doing better with these new variants in those different levels of protection, according to the scientists. The other vaccines give assurance of protection against hospitalisation, from death, severe disease and infection and that the different vaccines provide different levels of protection. Dr Kuma Aboagye addressing the press briefing on Sunday said Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants According to the WHO, all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time. Most changes have little to no impact on the virus properties. However, some changes may affect the viruss properties, such as how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures. WHO, in collaboration with partners, expert networks, national authorities, institutions and researchers have been monitoring and assessing the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 since January 2020. During late 2020, the emergence of variants that posed an increased risk to global public health prompted the characterisation of specific Variants of Interest (VOIs) and Variants of Concern (VOCs), in order to prioritize global monitoring and research, and ultimately to inform the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO and its international networks of experts are monitoring changes to the virus so that if significant mutations are identified, countries and the public can be informed about any changes needed to react to the variant, and prevent its spread. Globally, systems have been established and are being strengthened to detect signals of potential VOIs or VOCs and assess these based on the risk posed to global public health. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture has disclosed that plans are advanced for all roads leading to tourist sites in the county to be fixed as a step to improve tourism infrastructure as well as patronage. He indicated that government intends to invest heavily in the tourism sector to strengthen its base to create jobs and employment for an estimated one million youth in the country and called on all stakeholders to support the industry in that direction. The Minister made this known when he paid a courtesy call on Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panin, the Okyenhene at Kyebi, and met with industry players in Koforidua as part of a day's working tour of the Eastern Region. Dr Awal hinted that processes had begun to identify and develop two iconic tourists sites in the Eastern Region to international standards as part of the job creation drive and tourism and expressed hope that the traditional authorities would support the ministry to realize that goal. He observed that the covid-19 pandemic had dealt a huge blow in the tourism sector disclosing that the sector recorded a decline of over one million tourist visits in 2019 to less than 300,000 tourists in 2020 "undoubtedly this has resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs as well, aside from all others" he added. The Minister who later in the company of Mr Seth Acheampong Eastern Regional Minister and Mr Okraku Mantey, deputy Tourism Minister visited the Boti falls and the Bunso arboretum urged the management of Boti falls to gear up towards infrastructure improvement. On domestic tourism, he said the Ministry was putting measures in place as part of post-covid-19 plans to ensure that at least one million Ghanaians every year would have visited tourist sites across the country. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Constituency in the Central Region, has asked its supporters to boycott a demonstration by the youth for the immediate reopening of the Komenda Sugar Factory. A section of the youth in the KEEA have written to the Central Regional Police Command for permit to organise a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, July 6, to demand the immediate reopening of the factory. However, the NPP said the demonstration was politically motivated to create disaffection for government, regardless of efforts being made to get the factory to operate. A press release copied to the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, signed by Mr Michael Botsio, the KEEA Communications Director of the NPP, said the demonstration was borne out of malice. It alleged that the key leaders of the intended demonstration were members of the National Democratic Congress, hence the move was full of mischief. The demonstration sought to create the impression that the non-functioning of the factory was the fault of the NPP-led government, the statement said, adding: "We find this most unfortunate and an affront to the intelligence of the people of KEEA." It, however, declared the Party's support for any genuine move to get the defunct factory operational to create employment for the youth and spur economic growth. "The NPP in KEEA shares in the frustration of the people of Komenda over the inability of the factory to operate. We also believe that the factory, when in operation, will create employment for the teeming youth and better the standard of living of the community and municipality," the statement said. It assured of government's determination to revive the factory as negotiations were ongoing with private investors to achieve that goal. "The government has never relented in its efforts to see the factory in operation and as a party, we want to assure the teeming youth of KEEA that the strategic investor will certainly come on board as soon as possible, it said. The Komenda Sugar Factory will come back to life." Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows a screen at Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing astronaut Liu Boming stepping out of core module of the China's new space station in space on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Two astronauts made the first space walk on Sunday outside China's new orbital station to work on setting up a 15-meter (50-foot) long robotic arm. Credit: Jin Liwang/Xinhua via AP Two astronauts on Sunday made the first spacewalk outside China's new orbital station to set up cameras and other equipment using a 15-meter-long (50-foot-long) robotic arm. Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo were shown by state TV climbing out of the airlock as Earth rolled past below them. The third crew member, commander Nie Haisheng, stayed inside. Liu and Tang spent nearly seven hours outside the station, the Chinese space agency said. The astronauts arrived June 17 for a three-month mission aboard China's third orbital station, part of an ambitious space program that landed a robot rover on Mars in May. Their mission comes as the ruling Communist Party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. The station's first module, Tianhe, or Heavenly Harmony, was launched April 29. That was followed by an automated spacecraft with food and fuel. Liu, Nie and Tang arrived June 17 aboard a Shenzhou capsule. On Sunday, Liu attached his feet to a platform at the end of a remote-controlled arm that held him in place while he used an electric drill and other tools to install equipment. China's space agency plans a total of 11 launches through the end of next year to add two more modules to the 70-ton station. Liu is a veteran of the Shenzhou 7 mission in 2008, during which Zhai Zhigang made China's first space walk. Nie is on his third trip into space while Tang is making his first. All are military pilots. This photo released by Xinhua News Agency shows a screen at Beijing Aerospace Control Center showing an astronaut stepping out of core module of the China's new space station in space on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Two astronauts made the first space walk on Sunday outside China's new orbital station to work on setting up a 15-meter (50-foot) long robotic arm. Credit: Jin Liwang/Xinhua via AP In this image taken from video footage run by China's CCTV, astronaut Liu Boming steps out of core module of the China's new space station in space on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Two astronauts made the first space walk on Sunday outside China's new orbital station to work on setting up a 15-meter (50-foot) long robotic arm. Credit: CCTV via AP Video In this image taken from video footage run by China's CCTV, astronaut Liu Boming steps out of core module of the China's new space station in space on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Two astronauts made the first space walk on Sunday outside China's new orbital station to work on setting up a 15-meter (50-foot) long robotic arm. Credit: CCTV via AP Video In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese astronauts, from left; Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming salute from aboard China's space station core module Tianhe during a video conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Credit: Yue Yuewei/Xinhua via AP Explore further China to send 3 male astronauts to its space station in June 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Home Depot department supervisor, Arnaldo Gonzalez, loads water bottles into Elena Arvalo's shopping cart as shoppers prepare for possible effects of tropical storm Elsa in Miami on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Elsa fell back to tropical storm force as it brushed past Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Saturday and threatened to unleash flooding and landslides before taking aim at Cuba and Florida. Credit: Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP Cuba evacuated 70,000 people along the island's southern region on Sunday amid fears that Tropical Storm Elsa could unleash heavy flooding after battering several Caribbean islands, killing at least three people. The Cuban government had opened shelters and moved to protect sugarcane and cocoa crops ahead of the storm. Most of those evacuated went to relatives' homes, while about 23,000 people sheltered at government facilities. Some 400 living in mountainous areas took refuge in natural caves that had been prepared for the emergency. The storm's next target was Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 15 counties, including in Miami-Dade County where the high-rise condominium building collapsed last week. On Sunday morning, Elsa was located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Kingston, Jamaica, and was heading west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph (95 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The center said the storm is expected to gradually weaken as it moves across Cuba on Monday. "After Elsa emerges over the Florida Straits and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, some slight restrengthening is possible,'' it said. The storm killed one person in St. Lucia, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy and a 75-year-old woman died Saturday in separate events in the Dominican Republic after walls collapsed on them, according to a statement from the Emergency Operations Center. Frank Barakat carries his daughter Valentina, 2, through an shopping aisle dedicated for hurricane supplies as the Home Depot store prepares for possible effects of tropical storm Elsa in Miami on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Elsa fell back to tropical storm force as it brushed past Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Saturday and threatened to unleash flooding and landslides before taking aim at Cuba and Florida. Credit: Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP Elsa was a Category 1 hurricane up until Saturday morning, causing widespread damage in several eastern Caribbean islands on Friday as the first hurricane of the Atlantic season. Among the hardest hit was Barbados, where more than 1,100 people reported damaged houses, including 62 homes that completely collapsed as the government promised to find and fund temporary housing to avoid clustering people in shelters amid the pandemic. Downed trees also were reported in Haiti, which is especially vulnerable to floods and landslides because of widespread erosion and deforestation. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Jamaica and from the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince to the southern border with the Dominican Republic. A hurricane watch was issued for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba. Some of those provinces have reported a high number of COVID-19 infections, raising concerns that the storm could force large groups of people to seek shelter together. Antony Exilien secures the roof of his house in response to Tropical Storm Elsa, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, July 3, 2021. Elsa brushed past Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Saturday and threatened to unleash flooding and landslides before taking aim at Cuba and Florida. Credit: AP Photo/Joseph Odelyn An electrical pole felled by Hurricane Elsa leans on the edge of a residential balcony, in Cedars, St. Vincent, Friday, July 2, 2021. Elsa strengthened into the first hurricane of the Atlantic season on Friday as it blew off roofs and snapped trees in the eastern Caribbean, where officials closed schools, businesses and airports. Credit: AP Photo/Orvil Samuel Elsa is the earliest fifth-named storm on record and also broke the record as the tropic's fastest-moving hurricane, clocking in at 31 mph on Saturday morning, according to Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at the University of Miami. It is forecast to drop 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain with maximum totals of 15 inches (38 centimeters) across portions of southern Hispaniola and Jamaica. Explore further Tropical Storm Elsa nears Cuba amid fears of flooding 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Only entrepreneurs seeking to create a new business or expand operations of one started within the last five years were eligible to apply under the program. Funds, which will be dispersed later this year by the state, can be used to purchase new equipment, pay for renovations and cover payroll expenses for up to 12 months. Applicants were required to put up 20% of the total loan, which becomes a forgivable grant if the business remains open in five years. Extending roots For Kopf, the program was not only the perfect fit, but is a game-changer that she believes will allow the business to flourish. It means becoming a stronger part of the Glens Falls community because now were not just a little husband and wife thing with our awesome rock-star team. Were actually working with other businesses, she said. Still, Kopf recognizes how the community has quickly rallied around the business, which she said has made starting a new business during difficult circumstances a bit easier. The business has been steadily growing since opening. Kopf and her staff of two baked and decorated 55 dozen cookies last weekend. Agency employees went through all of the remains and analyzed and cataloged them. They also sent samples of the bones to the DNA identification laboratory at the Armed Forces Medical Examiners System. They analyzed the DNA from the bones and cross-referenced that with a database that they have thats dedicated solely to the DNA from family members from missing and unaccounted-for service members, he said. The family had not given up. Her father even enlisted in the service in the 1950s to see if he could find out what happened to his brother. But, he did not find anything. Wolff said her uncle enlisted in the service when he was 17 near the end of World War II. She believes he wanted to improve his life. He was just out of school. I dont think there were a lot of opportunities. His older brother had been in the service as well, so I wouldnt be surprised if there was some encouragement there as well, she said. Walter Smead returned home for a little while and then was deployed to Korea, according to Wolff. Smeads unit was assigned to replace the 5th Marine Regiment on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir. They arrived at the Pungnyuri Inlet on Nov. 27, 1950. In 1985, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros becomes the first pitcher in major league history to reach 4,000 strikeouts when he fans New Yorks WILDWOOD Like thousands of other visitors to the Wildwoods Boardwalk on July 4, Gov. Phil Murphy came ready to put some money down. It was a bit more than most visitors. In addition to plans for pizza by the slice from one of the towns beloved pizzerias, Murphy promised $4 million in state money to help fund Boardwalk repairs that local officials say are desperately needed. Weve got $4 million in this years budget to help repair the damage, Murphy said, standing with Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center at 4501 Boardwalk. Its an iconic Boardwalk, by any measure, Murphy said. Its Americas Boardwalk and the extent to which we get this thing rebuilt properly has a huge positive impact on the Boardwalk, on the businesses on the Boardwalk, (and) on tourism. Murphy came to Wildwood in April 2020 after storm-powered winds ripped up sections of decking close to the Convention Center. Even before that, Wildwood officials described the Boardwalk decking and substructure as long overdue for extensive renovations. Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio stepped up his communications with his citizens during this period. Desiderio usually sends out a biweekly newsletter, but he increased publication to two or three times weekly during the pandemic. During the virtual meetings, the public could listen, call in and ask questions. One of the advantages was that someone who was busy could pick up the phone and find out what was going on without having to actually attend the meeting, Desiderio said. Zoom was a whole new way of life once the pandemic struck, Desiderio said. During the beginning and the height of the pandemic, Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci and his core administrative staff were in City Hall daily while the building was closed to regular public access. City Council meetings could be watched live on the local cable access channel or viewed after they were over on a YouTube channel, Fanucci said. A special link was made available through Microsoft Teams to log in and ask a question during the public portion of the meeting, he said. There were some challenges in the very beginning, Fanucci said as he noted the municipality had to update its video camera quality. All of this was in conjunction with failed efforts by trade negotiators to resolve a decades long U.S.-Canadian dispute regarding Canadas tariffs on U.S. dairy products. While the war of words roared away, no one seemed to point to the fact that Canadian-owned U.S. lumber mills would be counted among the big winners in the Make America Great Again trade skirmish. But thats exactly what happened. When the COVID pandemic hit and trillions of dollars of federal stimulus funds began making their way into the bank of accounts of hard-hit (and not-so-hard-hit) American consumers, the options for spending money were rather limited. With millions working at home for the first time ever, countless families decided this would be a good time to add a deck, another room, or move up to a new home. Demand for building materials shot skyward as did prices for lumber, steel and copper. Meanwhile, domestic lumber producers whether U.S. or Canadian owned banked substantial profits. In a survey of the top 10 U.S.-based 2020 lumber producers, three were Canadian owned, and their combined volume accounted for more than 30% of the total Big 10 production. The Pennsylvania Supreme Courts decision reversing Bill Cosbys conviction reminds us that even those who commit despicable crimes are protected by the Constitution. The Pennsylvania courts ruling is disturbing in allowing Cosby to go free notwithstanding his sexual assault convictions, but it is correct in applying a crucial constitutional right: the privilege against self-incrimination found in the Fifth Amendment. In 2018, Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in a state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in 2004. This is one of a number of instances where Cosby was accused of drugging and raping women over many years. The evidence against Cosby included statements that he had made in depositions in civil cases against him. The constitutional problem is that Cosby gave those depositions based on an assurance, in 2005, from then-District Attorney Bruce Castor that he would not be criminally prosecuted for sexual assault. When a deposition is taken in a civil case, the right against self-incrimination allows a witness to refuse to answer any questions that might lead to criminal liability. But if there is no possibility of a criminal prosecution, then an individual cannot invoke the Fifth Amendment and must answer questions. Third, Milleys analogy is and this is my characterization, not that of Waltz, who was much more diplomatic preposterous. Nobody believes that West Point is taking the same attitude toward critical race theory that it does toward Maoism. Its not inviting Maoists to give guest lectures with no rebuttals. If the military were treating critical race theory as a dangerous set of beliefs that needs combating, Waltz and Gaetz wouldnt be complaining, although some other congressmen might. I would add that comparing critical race theory to ideologies that led to tyranny and mass murder is not quite the slam-dunk defense of it that progressives are taking it to be. Neither Waltz nor Gaetz was making a negative generalization about the U.S. military or its officers. At the end of his remarks, Milley noted that Waltz and he are both Green Berets. In our conversation, Waltz volunteered that he respects Milley. During the hearing, Gaetz emphasized that he was channeling concerns he increasingly hears from officers themselves. Maybe those concerns are overstated or misguided. Thats a fair debate. Saying that raising them is an attack on the military, on the other hand, is an attempt to shut down debate. A democracy should respect the military that serves it. But it should also have the self-respect to tell its top military commander when hes out of line. Bloomberg Opinion columnist Ramesh Ponnuru is a senior editor at National Review and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Of seven studies on coed prisons it reviewed, two found reduced predatory homosexuality in them. But overall they did not convincingly demonstrate the effect of the coed experience on post-release behavior or crime. By early 1987, there was only one coed medium-security prison in the nation. Dozens of women inmates had been added to an Illinois mens prison to relieve overcrowding. In a New York Times story, officials said the biggest change at the prison was that the behavior of the men had improved. The warden said most of the men have really cleaned up their act, in the process making it difficult for the prison store to keep mens cologne in stock. Guards said the coed population required them to closely watch female and male inmates when they were together. Some male inmates complained that while they had to wear provided uniforms, women could wear their own clothes, and that the presence of women tempted them to get into more trouble. Women who were selected for transfer to the mens prison were initially unhappy, a female assistant warden said, but then women started volunteering for the move. IN THE NEWS State pares back COVID data reporting Starting this week, Iowa public health officials will update COVID-19 data in the state on a weekly basis, as opposed to the current method of several times a day. This change and other adjustments to the reporting process will be implemented in the weeks ahead of the states plan to transition COVID-19 reporting to the Iowa Department of Public Healths website and decommission Iowas public-facing coronavirus website, coronavirus.iowa.gov, by late summer. State officials had been detailing positive cases, hospitalizations, long-term care facility outbreaks, deaths and other key metrics to measure the course of the pandemic in Iowa. Data on long-term outbreaks, serology, occupation data, underlying health conditions and Test Iowa assessments will be removed from the live website. The great new recruit: Fritz (Henry Winkler), Tylors friend and boss. Looking a bit like a Heffalump, he bumbles through plenty of situations and lands laughs. When no one has arms long enough to wrench the nut (you have to watch to understand), Fritz calls on Tylor and, sure enough, he can make it happen. Possessing long antlers and a kind disposition, Tylor isnt able to shut down Val Little (Mindy Kaling), a fellow worker who insists they went to school together and were besties. He disagrees; she never disappears. Together, theyre like Mike and Sulley. Ones hyper and talkative; the other kind and understanding. Placed next to Monsters Inc. and Monsters University, this iteration doesnt have the nonstop string of jokes the others boasted. It relies heavily on character and, occasionally, goes to the pun well. There, where Mike practically lives, Monsters at Work realizes its potential. While some old characters are in the mix (Mike and Sulley are senior citizens next to this group), its a new team. They all have quirks (and goofy looks). They all help Tylor learn things never taught at Monsters University. Feldman is a good lead. As in Superstore, he has the desire to fit in but that restlessness that keeps him jumping. DES MOINES State traffic enforcement officials are pitching a highway safety message with an urgency like Iowans lives depend on it. So far this year, there have been 144 people die in traffic crashes on Iowa roadways heading into three of the deadliest months historically during the peak summertime travel period. A coalition of enforcement, transportation and safety groups are making a concerted effort in the second half of 2021 to make this the first year in nearly a century that deaths due to motor vehicle crashes stay below 300. The last time that happened was in 1925 when Iowa recorded 261 traffic fatalities. "We hope people can understand that this is probably the most dangerous thing that you do any single day is getting behind the wheel of a vehicle," said Bob Conrad, a senior Iowa State Patrol trooper based out of the agency's District 11 office in Cedar Rapids. He said stepped-up efforts to persuade vehicle operators to slow down, wear seat belts, drive defensively and stay sober and undistracted only work if there is buy-in from the motoring public. "Living in fear is just not a good thing," said Areli Calderon, who took part in Friday's small gathering organized by the Faith Coalition for the Common Good. "I lived in fear a lot of the time growing up with my parents being undocumented." Even though Calderon, 23, was born and raised in Waukegan, her mother immigrated from Belize, and her father came to the U.S. from Mexico. As a result, she and her three siblings often worried. "We always were scared of what would happen to us if our parents were deported," said Calderon, who is a community health worker at SIU Medicine and graduate student at University of Illinois Springfield, where she is pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. She earned a bachelor's in psychology from UIS. "We made the best of it. "But I hope this bill can help to change that for the kids who are undocumented, or for their parents who are undocumented, so they don't have to live in fear and live in the shadows." It took a while for all the members to sign, with several of them only getting around to it during the month of August. One member, Thomas McKean of Delaware, said he didnt put pen to parchment until 1781. As long as were discussing the matter, it could be further argued that simply declaring independence in 1776 wasnt nearly as important as winning the Revolutionary War in 1781. And beating the British might very well have been a hollow victory without the Constitution. Adopting the Constitution was what guaranteed our nation. The Constitutional Convention met in the spring of 1787 and had a document ready to be accepted in September. On the 17th of that month, 39 delegates of the 55 in attendance signed. During several months of debate among the colonies, a majority of the original 13 ratified the Constitution, and it was declared in effect on March 4, 1789. Twelve amendments were submitted to the states on September 25, 1789, and 10 of them known collectively as the Bill of Rights were adopted by 1791. (Interestingly, three of the original 13 colonies didnt get around to adopting the Bill of Rights until much later. Massachusetts, Georgia and Connecticut finally made it unanimous in 1939.) Moreover, independent candidates and third parties face a nearly impossible battle of competing with Republicans and Democrats for a variety of reasons, including the spoiler effect. This is when voters don't vote for their preferred candidate, and instead vote for a less preferred but more mainstream candidate simply to prevent their least preferred candidate from winning. (This is exactly what I did in the 2020 election.) It becomes a battle of who is the least bad candidate, instead of who is the best candidate. That's messed up. Not only are voters like me compelled to register with parties we don't identify with and choose candidates we don't like, but we are excluded if we don't. Instead, we should have one big open primary where all parties and voters could give their input, instead of just the 60 percent of voters who are either Republican or Democratic. That could be coming sooner than you think. More and more young Americans are registering as independents than ever before. We are tired of thinking only left and right. We think left, right, forward, backward, down and up. With open primaries and ranked-choice voting campaigns sprouting up, we are approaching a more representative democracy that benefits everyone, not just the political duopolies. Jared Garson is a student at Willamette University and the Oregon student ambassador for Students for Open Primaries. This was written for The Fulcrum, which covers what's making democracy dysfunctional and efforts to fix our governing systems. The Fulcrum is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news platform covering efforts to fix our governing systems. It is a project of, but editorially independent from, Issue One. This was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 "We're not here to try and get in the way of a protest. Part of our job is to make sure that protests go safely," Hedrick said. "One thing that we did learn, though, is there are some folks that potentially plan on causing a problem or maybe even intentionally getting arrested today. That's why we're here asking for peace in this moment." Hedrick acknowledged historical trauma that many Indigenous people have experienced with police over the years. He said RCPD has worked hard through past challenges to reflect on past events. "This is a very divided time in our nation, and locally even," Hedrick said. "We've been dealing with historical trauma for many years things like the boarding schools that were here, the Massacre at Wounded Knee. Events like these have caused trauma that has caused distrust for law enforcement, still right to this very day. "We respect the right to protest. We just ask that folks, if they do protest, to do it in a safe and lawful manner. I urge all community members to have peace in their hearts today." The woman and her party were camped near the town's post office and museum when a grizzly bear pulled her out of her tent and killed her early Tuesday, officials said. This is their first rodeo. This is the second year the Bitter Root Arts Guild is hosting their Art in the Park show and sale in Darby but this is the first year to host just before the Twisted Nut Rodeo. BRAG President Trish Becker said, The show will have lots of rodeo-themed items, to honor the rodeos Darby is known for. We are having it the same day and right before the rodeo begins, Becker said. It is so much fun. One of our newest members is making the cutest little cowboy gnomes and Im making rodeo aprons, a lot of our vendors are going all out on the rodeo theme. Our little town is getting all the rodeos and we decided to hop on that steer. The BRAG show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, in Darby City Park. The successful show last year in Darby had 17 vendors but this year there will be 26 juried vendors, 25 of those are BRAG members. State and federal wildlife authorities are seeking who is responsible for cutting the head and paws off a grizzly bear that may have drowned and washed up on a gravel bar in the Yellowstone River north of Gardiner in mid-June. It could have been a purposeful take, or half innocent not knowing about the illegality, said Kevin Frey, FWP wildlife management specialist based in Bozeman. Theres a lot of interest in having the skull or claws off them. Possession of grizzly bear parts, since it is protected under the Endangered Species Act, is a violation of federal law. That means investigators from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are involved. The 25-year-old male bear was a known Yellowstone National Park resident, having been captured and tagged with the number 394. Gardiner sculptor George Bumann heard about the dead bear from a rafting guide and boated to the site to take measurements for his artwork. On June 11, he posted on his website a blog about the bear, along with several photos of its claws, paws and worn-down canine teeth, taking care to not identify where the bear was located. Please be mindful that there are people who have been harmed by the war on drugs for centuries ... this fight is just beginning, she said. You can smoke in private but you still have to be mindful of all of the traps that can get you a conviction. Gregory Alexander, the general manager of the Petersburg Happy Trees Agricultural Supply location, said the states new marijuana laws are important because of the long history of cannabis. It just got demonized, he said. Its a plant that could change the world. Emilie Nicholson, another vendor at the market, owns Fun Guy Creations and works with clay and moldable materials to create pipe ornaments and other items. Emilies mother recently used an herb grinder for a different purpose. So she bought one from me because she wanted to support me and last night she texted me that she was grinding up some herbs to put in her pasta, they said, and that it turned out really well and she was really happy with her herbal grinder. Razan Khalil, 20, of Richmond, said she came to the market to shop and look around. She said she supported the states new marijuana legislation, but noted the importance of helping those imprisoned on marijuana charges. When Chesterfield County Public Schools reopened its doors five days a week this past winter, about 44% of students in the district returned. In a school district with a majority of minority students, more white students than their peers of color accepted the offer to return to a normal learning environment during the coronavirus pandemic. Having suffered from COVID-19 in every regard, including hospitalizations, deaths, food insecurity and job losses, parents of color overall were less willing to send their children back into school than white parents, according to a July 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the approximately 26,413 elementary, middle and high school students who did return, about 54% were white, 20% were Latino, 18% were Black, 5% were students of two or more races and 1.5% were Asian, according to schools data provided through a Freedom of the Information Act request. Some values were low enough that the school system did not provide them as they could identify a student. While it remains unclear how many students are returning for the third school year under the cloud of COVID-19, the school officials are encouraging all students to return in the fall. Levine Cava expressed relief that the search for victims can now continue, after being suspended on Saturday so workers could begin the rigging the the damaged but still-upright portion of the the partly collapsed tower with explosives a precarious operation that could have caused the structure to fail. I feel relief because this building was unstable. The building was hampering our search efforts, Levine Cava said. Rescuers are hoping the demolition will give them access for the first time to parts of the garage area that are a focus of interest. Once a new pathway into the initial rubble is secure, we will go back to the debris pile, and well begin our search and rescue efforts, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Albert Cominsky said. The decision to demolish the remnants of the Surfside building came after concerns mounted that the damaged structure was at risk of falling, endangering the crews below and preventing them from operating in some areas. Parts of the remaining building shifted on Thursday, prompting a 15-hour suspension in the work. An approaching storm also added urgency to the concerns. I truly believe ... that the family members recognize and appreciate that we are proceeding in the best possible fashion to allow us to do the search that we need to do, Levine Cava said. The Eastern District of Virginia is headquartered in Alexandria and has offices in Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk. Fredericksburg man pleads guilty of illegal ivory sales ALEXANDRIA A Fredericksburg man has pleaded guilty to illegally selling ivory ornaments made from elephant tusks. Gary Cooper, 60, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria to the misdemeanor unlawful sale of endangered species. According to court records, Cooper sold seven pieces of ivory worth more than $3,000 to multiple undercover agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a 16-month period beginning in September 2018. He also offered dozens of other pieces, including tusks, for sale. Prosecutors said Cooper told his buyers that he was selling off items from an elderly couples estate when in reality he was buying ivory pieces online and reselling for a profit. The plea agreement requires Cooper to forfeit more than 130 pieces of raw and carved ivory. Coopers lawyer, Caleb Kershner, said his client accepts responsibility and that the sales were motivated in part by financial difficulties in caring for his mother. And while the average student cost per program was $677, some low-income or unemployed workers might not be able to meet that expense. What kinds of structural changes could help close these gaps and lead to the ultimate goal a completed credential and a path toward a good-paying job for every participant? In late June, a Washington Monthly piece by contributing editor Anne Kim profiled 22-year-old Christian Couric, a welder in Reno, Nev., earning $35 to $50 per hour, often with 60 to 70 hours of work available per week. Couric received his training at none other than Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) in Virginia, earning a welding certificate and landing a first job at a local fabrication business. Courics courses roughly cost $5,600, but even with the workforce credential grant assistance, BRCC President John Downey told Kim that the programs one-third cost is pretty insurmountable for some low-income or unemployed workers without financial aid. Kims story pushed to expand Pell Grant eligibilty to include short-term workforce training opportunities, and we support this vision. Q. How has the pandemic affected TMEIC and your industry? The pandemic produced greater challenges for companies like us and others around the world. For us, we had supply chain disruption, our clients canceled or postponed projects that we were working on with them. We are a global company, we do a lot of work internationally, and we were in the middle of commissioning some of our equipment in sites outside of the United States, and of course the pandemic with travel restrictions created challenges to reach those locations. But our team, we really leveraged technology through platforms and tools to serve our clients as best as we could. In terms of commissioning of equipment internationally, we did remote commissioning using tools and technologies that we have at our disposal. Despite the momentous challenges, I think we have been successful in serving our clients and then meeting the expectation of shareholders. I will say that is really, truly because of the unwavering commitment, determination and resilience shown by our employees. Q. Whats on the horizon for TMEIC? We are very optimistic about our future. We are a company with some extensive experience and deep expertise in power electronics and automation systems. We produce industry-leading products and solutions in terms of quality and reliability. We have a client-focused and client-service culture in our company. There is growth in the markets that we currently serve. The global economy and the world is changing at a pretty rapid pace. The energy mix is changing in the world. Several governments have announced plans to reduce carbon emissions. The United States is reducing carbon emissions by 50% in 2030; we have ambitions to be net zero by 2050. On the other side, in the ports industry, also theres a lot of change going on. Ports are wanting to be more productive, theyre focused on yield and the vessels that carry containers from place A to place B, theyre becoming bigger. So all of this is creating additional challenges for the ports industry, that is one of our target industries. Our desire is to leverage these opportunities for the benefit of the business growth, revenue and profit in the future. The business news you need With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. One of the incidents identified in the recent reprimand measure concerned a claim from Hicks that state Del. Nick Rush, R-Christiansburg, had told her during a past discussion that bonds of over $10 million need to be put on the ballot, a point several town council members said is untrue. The town is set to borrow $9.3 million to help pay for a multi-purpose park off of Peppers Ferry Road, a project Hicks has been a critic of and voted against. Council members balked at suggestions they deliberately kept the debt amount below $10 million to avoid letting voters decide the issue. Rush wrote in an email that he didnt recall a conversation with any council member about specific project funding issues. Hicks, however, maintained there was a conversation and a friend of the councilwoman told council last month she heard the conversation in question. In the issue concerning DCI, Barber previously said Hicks leaned on a financial issue in the town of Pulaski to oppose providing funds to DCI. The issue particularly involved DCI President Justin Sanders, who happened to be a planner with Pulaski around the time the locality was going through some financial challenges. Nationally and locally, the search for new officers continues. The Salem-based Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy, which trains recruits for three dozen Virginia agencies, saw its class sizes spike this year as police forces worked to staff up. Law enforcement leaders said theyre trying to get across the message that donning the uniform means embracing a chance to help others when they need it the most. A servants heart is crucial to the work, several chiefs said. Salem Police Chief Mike Crawley said, more than anything, he thinks departments are grappling with a generational shift in outlooks on work and public service. Worker shortages have cropped up among teachers, social workers, mental health advocates and others. Communities can play a vital part in counteracting that, he said, by reinforcing the message that these are meaningful, worthwhile professions and by encouraging young people to consider them. Crawley, who once worked as a recruiter for his department, has adopted a philosophy that every officer is a de facto recruiter. And hed like to extend that thinking into the community. Know someone with strong personal integrity? Someone who has something to contribute? Reach out and encourage them to consider joining the force, he said. With the Delta variant emerging, having vaccinated employees is even more important, according to the release. We know that vaccination is the most effective tool to protect our workforce and our community, Mulhare said in the release. Those employees who are not vaccinated will be required to participate in the universitys surveillance COVID-19 testing program during the semester. More details on fall testing will be shared in the coming weeks, according to the release. If there is not continued progress in the vaccination rate of the Virginia Tech community, the university will require additional mitigation strategies and operations likely will be impacted, Mulhare said in the release. The push for vaccinations, particularly within universities, is an important step toward the community resuming a healthy, pre-pandemic life, said Noelle Bissell, health director of the New River Health District, during a meeting with the news media earlier this week. A foundation dedicated to honoring and supporting first-responders, veterans and their families announced Friday that it has paid off the mortgage on the Hanover County home where Virginia State Police trooper Nathan-Michael Smith lived with his family before he was killed on duty while responding to a crash in Prince George County in 2015. In observance of Independence Day, the Smith home is one of 19 owned by fallen first responder families across the country for which the Tunnel to Towers Foundation recently satisfied the mortgages on the houses. A ceremony attended by state police and Tunnel to Towers representatives was held last week at the Smith family home to celebrate the occasion, which included a ribbon cutting and ceremonial key to the house. I am brought to tears thinking about our home being paid off by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Smiths widow, Jennifer, said in a prepared statement. This was our first home together, a home we worked and prayed to get for years. When Nate passed it was devastating that he wouldnt get to live in the dream house we worked so hard to purchase. Being able to say I dont have the burden of paying a monthly mortgage as a single parent is breathtaking, she added. I am optimistic about the future of Appalachia, and you should be too. I see a region with unlimited potential and unmatched natural beauty, brimming with decent, resilient people who never shy away from extending a helping hand. Solving the challenges Appalachia faces will take more than funding. It will take hard work, something the folks of our region are not lacking in. It will take the same ingenuity that has fueled the rebound of St. Paul and so many other communities like it. Most importantly, it will take collaboration and cooperation. I am excited to hear from Appalachias governors throughout the next three months and continue our work together to bettering Appalachia. Our point today is not to glorify those Loyalists for the record, were on the side of independence but to underscore that weve never been particularly united and there have always been among us those who were sympathetic to the other side. And thats maybe the best way to understand why so many Americans today have yet to be vaccinated. Whether they realize it or not, theyre essentially on the side of the enemy the virus the same way that American Loyalists were on the side of King George. Here, alas, is where our analogy runs out. Most American Loyalists stayed around after the Revolution and benefited from the liberties that they had opposed. Maybe the unvaccinated think they will benefit from their neighbors getting vaccinated. To some extent, theyre right. Things are already reopening as infection rates fall and vaccination rates rise even if were not yet at that 70% goal. But heres where theyre wrong: The virus wont go away. It will always be there in the background. And those who arent vaccinated will be the ones to catch it. More worringly, they will become reservoirs for breeding variants of the virus variants that may break through the antibody defenses of those who have been vaccinated. The unvaccinated arent simply endangering themselves, theyre endangering everybody else even the vaccinated. And because the unvaccinated tend to be clustered as weve seen, some localities are woefully undervaccinated those communities will likely be the ones that see outbreaks. "Cong Lang" (Village Gate), a lacquer painting by Chu Tien Thang. Van Anh, a spokesperson for My Thuat Bui, said many artists have been keen to join the charity project and hope Saigon would quickly overcome the currentCovid outbreak. Last year, when the central city of Da Nang was struggling with the pandemic, the art school had held a similar auction to show its support. The store, which spans 2,000 square meters at Vincom Center Metropolis on Lieu Giai Street, is the second to be opened in Vietnam. The flagship store in Hanoi provides around 5,000 products, ranging from fashion, cosmetics to household items, interior design and food. Tetsuya Nagaiwa, Muji's head of Vietnam business, said the chain spent two years searching for a suitable location for the Hanoi store, a much longer process compared to its HCMC endeavor. The southern metropolis's downtown District 1 is a no-brainer when it comes to choosing a location for a store. But Hanoi has multiple locations with different capacities for attracting customers, Tetsuya explained. Vincom Center Metropolis was eventually chosen since it is in an area with a big Japanese population and is wide enough to host a large store. Tetsuya said Muji's current strategy is to take hold of Hanoi and HCMC, both major cities, to boost brand recognition. Afterwards, depending on factors like economic development and population, Muji would consider opening more stores in other cities. Vietnam is among the world's most promising retailer markets right now, Tetsuya said, adding the country has attracted a large number of investors thanks to its ever-growing economy and a young population with middle-class income. Certain Muji products sold in Vietnam would be cheaper than other markets' as they are produced by domestic manufacturers, he said, without revealing exact information regarding the domestic factories. Muji, founded in 1980, has over 1,000 stores in 33 countries and territories. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. A national panic mostly from conservatives over critical race theory erupting perhaps in a state legislature, university or school board meeting near you triggers spirited counterpunches from its left-progressive defenders. But are they defending CRT, I have to ask, or merely attacking its opponents? Im talking about myself, among others. Since the mid-1990s I occasionally have discussed and debated its pluses and minuses with lawyers, professors who know what CRT really is. Before it became a straw man for conservatives, activists, pundits and politicians to knock down, it was a pretty narrow field of intellectual study for law school students and professionals. But in the wake of the social justice movements kicked up by George Floyds murder, it has provided something to the political right that their efforts to demonize President Joe Biden have not: A vague yet menacing issue that they can use to scare white folks in particular into voting Republican and, they hope, help the Grand Old Party retake control of Congress. This is the Tea Party to the 10th power, Donald Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon told Politico in an interview. And a lot of these people arent Trump voters. My (already dated) musings on the SCOTUS criminal docket | Main | Thinking creatively about different SCOTUS short lists July 4, 2008 Celebrating liberty in the country leading the world in incarceration rates Writing over at the Huffington Post, J. Richard Cohen has this new commentary titled "Mass Incarceration of Children Must End." Though focused on tough juve sentencing, the piece reminds everyone of this key datum as we celebrate liberty on today's holiday: Our nation now spends $65 billion each year to incarcerate 2.3 million people more than any other country. This is not the inevitable result of cracking down on crime. It's the result of a series of failed policies enacted over many years. I could link to so many prior posts detailing the ironic reality that our nation's leaders speak grandly about liberty and freedom while doing little about our nation's dramatic willingness to deny liberty and freedom to so many of its own people. Here are just a few post that cover the (still under-examined) modern American story of mass incarceration: Happy holiday! July 4, 2008 at 10:27 AM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e200e553a22fca8834 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Celebrating liberty in the country leading the world in incarceration rates: Comments "I could link to so many prior posts detailing the ironic reality that our nation's leaders speak grandly about liberty and freedom while doing little about our nation's dramatic willingness to deny liberty and freedom to so many of its own people." By its enormous, unequaled and pivotal sacrifices to defeat Nazi and Communist tyranny, and by its singular generosity in re-building the world, this country has earned the right to speak "grandly" about liberty and freedom. There's nothing ironic about it, and no need to hang our heads or be lectured by those in other lands who are safe and free today because of what we sacrificed while they watched. Do we have many thousands of thugs in jail? You bet. Better there than on the local street corner peddling meth. Is that an oversimplification that leaves out a lot of important facts? Sure. But so is the slogan about "mass incarceration" of criminals we are told repeatedly, and falsely, haven't done anything wrong -- or anything at all. I can tell you from many a year spent as an AUSA that it's actually HARD to get into federal prison. There were hundreds if not thousands of cases we never even got to in order to be able to concentrate such resources as we had on serious hoods, which is what we did. It's really, really easy to stay out of jail: Get a normal job and take responsibility for your own life. There are commenters on this site who never like to hear that. But it's true. And the alternative to treating human beings as responsible actors is to treat them as not fully human -- and effectively entitled by circumstance to indulge themselves at other people's expense, certain in the knowledge that the burgeoning culture of excuse-making will protect them. If you're among the very small minority who are unwilling to take responsibility for your own behavior, I can see why you'd want to wage a PR campaign about "mass incarceration." The people who commit crime and wind up in prison on account of it are understandably eager to find the locus of their troubles somewhere else -- like in the corrupt, brutish, racist, classist, capitalist, dada, dada, dada "system." They'd have more success finding the locus in a different spot. Like the mirror. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2008 11:49:48 AM The $65 billion does not appear to include the cost of juvenile detention. The cost of juvenile detention is about $200 to $250 per day where adult incarceration costs average about $75 per day. My guess is the total cost is at least $70 billion. Some of the juveniles are in detention because the judge has no viable alternative. Some are waiting to get into a treatment facility and others are in what amounts to protective custody. I visited a juvenile facility and talked to some of the residents. One was a girl who was there because her father had threatened to kill her and another was a homeless boy from a dysfunctional family. They should not be in detention unless they are out-of-control. Unfortunately with some parents it does not take much to be out-of-control. About ten to twelve years ago we were short of juvenile detention beds and approximately doubled the number of beds statewide and they were instantly filled. An investigation into why that happened found that the new beds will filled with kids charged with misdemeanors where before the increase in beds the charges were all felonies. Another example of the overuse of incarceration. One of the limiting factors is a shortage of correction officers. It is a dangerous job and not very many people are willing to do it and some of those that are willing are not qualified. If you put an unqualified person in a job like that they and others can be killed or injured (not to mention sexual or other types of misconduct). For the safety of all parties the prisoner/guard ratio has to be kept as small as possible and because of 24 x 7 operations prison staffs have to be large. Posted by: John Neff | Jul 4, 2008 12:13:41 PM Bill Otis wrote: "It's really, really easy to stay out of jail: Get a normal job and take responsibility for your own life." So you're saying that, because blacks are incarcerated at disproportionately higher rates than whites, blacks are inherently less responsible than whites? Bill Otis wrote: "But it's true." Ah, so you are saying that. Bill Otis wrote: "And the alternative to treating human beings as responsible actors is to treat them as not fully human -- and effectively entitled by circumstance to indulge themselves at other people's expense, certain in the knowledge that the burgeoning culture of excuse-making will protect them." Really? That's the alternative? Because I could have sworn I had thought of many, many other alternatives. Guess you're not interested in them because it would require you not to put selfishness at the center of your universe and to take account of your fellow countryman's circumstances and well being. I don't find that to be a very patriotic attitude. Posted by: DK | Jul 4, 2008 1:23:05 PM DK: You lied about my positions before and you're lying now. You sling around these accusations of racism the same way most people brush their teeth: it's automatic. It's just what you do when you get up. The difference is that most people stop brushing after a couple of minutes, but you, like the Energizer bunny, keep going and going. As I've said, you don't know me or speak for me. And you don't hold a candle to the many minorities I've worked with, including but hardly limited to my former colleagues in the US Attorney's Office, who would laugh out loud at your rantings. Lastly, if I acted in a way you regarded as "patriotic," it'd be time for me to start to worry, big time. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2008 3:56:26 PM Of course many people who have violated the law are not prosecuted. In the last 40 years we have increased the per cent of business practices, associations, financial transactions, substances, and actions that are illegal and can be prosecuted if discovered. As a law abiding citizen, I cross all my Ts and dot all my Is. I am careful and "measure out my life in coffee spoons". All the same, I'm sure I could be investigated and perhaps prosecuted for something unknown to me - someone I hired, something I purchased, forms I neglected etc. Those who investigate and prosecute are only doing their job. Their jobs depend on the laws. They have many tools at their disposal that they did not have in the past. This includes an expanded acceptance of entrapment (crimes initiated by law enforcement) and the use of paid informants. They may be compensated with money or with favorable plea agreements. Prosecution and Punishment have become more accepted in our culture and we must accept that this is what we asked the government to do. If we are to have the consent of the governed, this will reverse and the process is painful. I believe there are signs that this change is coming and it will continue. Of course it will be policy change and legislative change - judicial change cannot constitutionally do it. Murderers, rapists, robbers, embezzlers, muggers, and cheats will not be included nor should they. Posted by: beth curtis | Jul 4, 2008 4:26:55 PM Mr. Otis, Rest assured that I act in a very patriotic way. People that disagree with me are unpatriotic. It is patriotic to agree with me. That is what it means to be an American. I dont wear a flag pin anymore. I wore a flag pin after 9/11, when I suffered more less than you. After a month I stopped wearing it, because I used it up. Posted by: S.cotus | Jul 4, 2008 4:52:09 PM S.cotus: The post to which I think you're responding was addressed to a different commenter; I have no reason to doubt your patriotism; I don't wear a flag pin myself because patriotism lies in one's acts not his wardrobe; and I wish you a happy Independence Day. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2008 5:25:18 PM Bill, I have no tolerance for racism. You are free to clarify what you mean at any time. You assert it is easy to stay out of jail and that all it requires is responsibility. I am asking you why it is so much harder for black people to act responsibly than white people. If you don't like the question, reconsider your allegations. Posted by: DK | Jul 4, 2008 5:32:20 PM Bill, your strong advocacy in your first comment is inconsistent with your vocal support for the commutation of Scooter Libby's federal prison sentence. Against this backdrop, let me ask a few questions based on your assertions in your first comment: Did you think it was HARD for Libby to get into federal prison? Do you consider Libby among those unwilling to take responsibility for their own behavior? Don't you think your successful advocacy on behalf of Libby contributes to a culture in which everyone attributes "the locus of their troubles somewhere else"? In short, your anti-prison advocacy on behalf of the type of criminal you like (Libby) highlights the hypocrisy of your bold pro-prison advocacy against those you do not like (so-called "thugs"). Your hyocrisy is nothing new from those work advocate in this arena, but that makes it no less disappointing. Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 4, 2008 6:56:48 PM DK: It's not a one way street. "You want answers from me, you answer the questions previously asked of you." That is word-for-word what I said in my post of July 3, 2008 3:34:36 PM. But you just ignore it. Your response is to make more accusations and demand more answers, hoping to walk far enough away from your previous lies about my positions that they'll be lost in the mist. Nice try. No dice. I will say this about your autopilot accusation of racism, however. I have told you where I worked -- the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. I have told you that my numerous African American colleagues there would laugh out loud at your accusations against me. I have told you where and how to find my cases, of which there are more than 100. At least one of them dealt with accusations that my Office had engaged in a racially selective prosecution. The name of that case is United States v. Olvis, 97 F.3d 739 (4th Cir. 1996). Read it and see what the unanimous court had to say. Because unlike you I do not hide behind a cloak of anonymity, you have all the resources you need to ascertain whether your accusations are true. So instead of fulminating, go do your homework. But you won't, because you don't care if they're true -- or, far more likely, because you already know they're not. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2008 6:58:59 PM Doug: "Bill, your strong advocacy in your first comment is inconsistent with your vocal support for the commutation of Scooter Libby's federal prison sentence." No, they're consistent. An atypical case justifies an atypical result. Libby's case was atypical for a number of reasons you and I have discussed numerous times, on this blog and elsewhere. "Did you think it was HARD for Libby to get into federal prison?" Since in fact he didn't get into federal prison, that's a tricky question. I would say as a general matter that a person who lies to a federal grand jury in a high profile investigation undertaken by a Special Prosecutor has far more than your normal chance of getting into prison, sure. This does not change the fact that for the average person it is indeed hard to get sent to federal prison. "Do you consider Libby among those unwilling to take responsibility for their own behavior?" In significant measure, yes. This is why I argued against a pardon and in favor of leaving the quarter million dollar fine in place. "Don't you think your successful advocacy on behalf of Libby contributes to a culture in which everyone attributes 'the locus of their troubles somewhere else"? First, I have to enter a disclaimer on the "successful advocacy" part. "Advocacy" is a term of art in our profession. I never talked to the White House or the Justice Department about this and never sought to, and they didn't talk to me and didn't seek to. I wrote the op-ed as a private citizen only to express my opinion. I don't know Libby and have never met him, and I didn't and don't know his lawyers or anyone else connected to the case. So this was not a case of "advocacy" in the sense that lawyers normally understand that term. I guess I should be flattered that the White House acted in the way the op-ed suggested, but I had no idea whether they would. I don't even know if anyone in White House Counsel's Office reads the Post (although I'd be surprised if they don't). To answer your question directly: No, I don't think my op-ed contributed to a culture where people blame their difficulties on someone else. First, I never based my argument on Libby's not being responsible for his own woes. I based it on what I believe (but evidently you do not believe) are unusual circumstances APART FROM Libby's culpability, which I did not gainsay then or now. Second, "culture," as we are using that word, is the general body of beliefs about responsibility and punishment. No one case is likely to have any but a de minimus effect on that. And the effect will be even less than de minimus (if that makes any sense) when the case is unusual. Libby was a 56 year-old first offender convicted of a non-violent and non-drug related offense. He had more letters of community support than I had ever seen in almost two decades as an AUSA. He worked in government jobs for government pay even though he could have made a fortune in private practice. He was not remotely dangerous in the sense in which that word in ordinarily understood. There was almost nothing about him that was typical, at least in my experience. So I did not and do not regard my op-ed as antagonistic to GENERAL, which is to say cultural, notions of responsibility. Nor for that matter do I regard getting stuck with a $250,000 fine as escaping responsibility. A fine like that is, as you probably know, very heavy. The run-of-the-mill defendant even in a violent crime case doesn't get a fine of anything like that magnitude. "[Y]our anti-prison advocacy on behalf of the type of criminal you like (Libby)..." I don't "like" ANY type of criminal, qua criminal. As to Libby, since I never met him, I couldn't tell you whether I would like him. And I don't generally (actually I don't ever) recommend that a person I like be socked with a $250,000 fine and lose his livelihood. "...highlights the hypocrisy of your bold pro-prison advocacy against those you do not like (so-called 'thugs')." Contrary to what I see here day after day from some of our commenters, there are in fact thugs, and I'm pretty sure you know this. The pretense that the prisons are filled with Mr. Nicey is baloney, and I'm pretty sure you know that too. I did my job at the United States Attorney's Office, and I'm proud to have been there. I did not seek prison sentences for people who got convicted because I either liked or disliked them. I did it as a result of evaluating each case on its individual merit and looking up the applicable law. This was also true when I supported downward departures, something that was a standard part of my career but which you omit to mention. I did not make these motions because of sentiment. I did so because I thought it was a just outcome under prevailing law. And although I have no way of proving it, I strongly suspect that I supported more SUCCESSFUL downward departure motions than all the defense attorneys on this blog combined. Does that too make me a "hypocrite?" Does it mean that with each motion, I was "contribut[ing] to a culture in which everyone attributes 'the locus of their troubles'" to someone else? I don't think so. I think it's no more or less than the action of a lawyer who thought that a below-guidelines sentence was warranted in a specific case for reasons particular to that case. It was in exactly the same kind of thinking that led me to my stance on Libby. I understand that reasonble minds differ on this. But the differences do not render them any less reasonable. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2008 8:35:45 PM Of course reasonable minds differ. Times are changing and there will be a new paradigm. History will judge the effectiveness, rationality, and even morality of our current policies. I for one am looking forward to a new dialog. Rethinking our criminal justice system and redefining what behavior and life styles we want it to control will be a start. This is important for freedom. Posted by: beth curtis | Jul 4, 2008 11:16:37 PM The rather complex criminal justice process starts with the report of a crime and one of the possible outcomes is incarceration. It is plausible that various stages in the process could be influenced by racial bias and some of the more obvious stages are arrest, sentencing or revocation of parole/probation and the determination of eligibility for parole. The term "mass incarceration" for the most part is associated with claims that the CJS is racially biased and as a consequence about 20% to 30% of those in prison have been unjustly incarcerated. The problems with such claims is that are unsupported by convincing evidence that the CJS malfunction rate is that high and it is difficult to reconcile such high malfunction rates with the facts that over half of the prison admissions are parole/probation revocations and about 80% of all new court commitments are the result of a guilty plea. FWIW I think the malfunction rate is most likely to be in the 1% to 5% range and Grits has recently estimated that the rate for the Texas CJS is about 3%. A 1% rate would mean that about 22,000 prison and jail inmates that could have been wrongly incarcerated. The corresponding annual malfunction rate would be about 0.25%. Posted by: John Neff | Jul 4, 2008 11:56:56 PM Bill Otis wrote: "At least one of them dealt with accusations that my Office had engaged in a racially selective prosecution. The name of that case is United States v. Olvis, 97 F.3d 739 (4th Cir. 1996). Read it and see what the unanimous court had to say." The opinion states: "The court noted that the defendants' informal study, if left unexplained, demonstrated discriminatory intent. By creating a presumption that unexplained statistical evidence of racial disparity proves racial animus, the court imposed on the government the burden of disproving such animus. As already noted, however, the defendants bear the burden of establishing all elements of their selective-prosecution claim and, to obtain discovery on such a claim, the burden of making a credible showing of 'some evidence' on each element. By ruling that defendants can meet these demanding burdens by presenting a study of the type they presented in this case and thereby shifting to the government the onus of dispelling a presumption of discrimination would open virtually every prosecution to a claim for selective prosecution." Sounds like you got bailed out to me. A court found that a statistical analysis showed your office intentionally discriminated, and the appellate court reversed on technical grounds. I like this part best: "In considering the defendants' informal study, the district court also erred in apparently imposing a duty on the government to 'explain [the] evidence of statistical [racial] disparity' that Olvis and Palmer had presented." Heaven forbid you have a duty to explain racial disparities in your prosecutions! Luckily, this isn't a court of law, which have a bad habit of protecting the government from serious scrutiny. Here, you get to explain yourself. Turning to that, your assertions contain unquestionably racist assumptions. You can retract them or you can defend them. It's entirely up to you. Posted by: DK | Jul 5, 2008 5:10:10 AM DK: So it's up to me to "explain myself"??!! Ha! This from the guy who breezily lied about positions I allegedly took, and when confronted with his own words to prove his deceit, wouldn't either own up to it or retract it -- and instead tried to change the subject (something you're still doing). Wanna let us know how a person with a record like that gets to be in a position to tell others they should "explain themselves?" You really are a piece of work. Let's take a little stroll down memory lane to review your latest accusation of racism. You got the ball rolling by pointing the accusing finger of racism at this statement of mine: "It's really, really easy to stay out of jail: Get a normal job and take responsibility for your own life." It takes more than a little creativity to discern animus toward blacks in that statement. Indeed, what it takes is delusional thinking. But I have to give you credit. This time, you ACTUALLY DID READ A CASE. Congratulations! Now was that so hard? Of course your treatment of the case is, as anyone could have guessed it would be, thoroughly dishonest. You quote one paragraph out of eight pages, and manage to slink past the key language even in that wonderfully selective single paragraph. So let me reiterate the one sentence in that paragraph that you highlighted: "The [district] court noted that the defendants' informal study, if left unexplained, demonstrated discriminatory intent." Hey DK, did you happen to notice the words "if left unexplained" in that sentence? Not too surprisingly -- indeed not at all surprisingly given your record of deceit here -- you omit the much longer part of the Fourth Circuit's opinion WHERE THE EXPLANATION IS SET FORTH AT LENGTH. Here it is: "The government presented testimony from Kevin Comstock, an Assistant United States Attorney, and Lieutenant Delmas Linhart, an officer in the James City County Police Department and special deputy with the FBI. "In his testimony Comstock indicated that the percentage of blacks indicted for crack cocaine offenses was high because blacks primarily were involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Norfolk-Newport News area. He explained, 'I don't choose individuals to violate the law. They choose to violate the law themselves. And when they violate the law, if we can prove it, we prosecute[ ] them, regardless of their race, regardless of their sex, regardless of where they were born, or in what family they were raised in.' "Lt. Linhart testified similarly that race played no part in the government's selection of whom to prosecute. He noted that the Colonial Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, of which he was a member, pursued the Olvis organization because Olvis had managed to insulate himself from the police and his organization was becoming increasingly violent. And Lt. Linhart added that Angela Palmer had been offered the opportunity to become a cooperating witness, but that, in the investigators' judgment, she had lied before the grand jury and had otherwise failed to cooperate. "Lt. Linhart also explained why each white conspirator cited in the defendants' motion had not been indicted. Mary Deroja, who was romantically involved with an alleged gang member and drove his car for him, had approached the authorities and agreed to assist in their investigation by working undercover. Denny Petrie had not yet been prosecuted because the government, after executing a search warrant on his home, still lacked sufficient evidence to indict him. Lonnie Beverly and his black partner, Eddie Phillips, had been approached about becoming witnesses at a time when the authorities knew little about them; only subsequently did enforcement officers learn that Beverly was the driver and Phillips the gunman in a drive-by shooting of an unoccupied car, information that might have disqualified them from receiving immunity. Lt. Linhart testified, moreover, that Beverly has since proven truthful and cooperative. As for the remaining two unindicted white persons, Linhart testified that the government had never heard of "Floyd," a white male referred to once in an ambiguous manner by a witness before the grand jury, nor did it have any evidence that Jeffrey Branscome was a seller, rather than merely a user, of drugs." ### In other words, you demand an "explanation" from me of my supposed racism in general, and in this case you post about in particular, knowing that the explanation has already been set forth by the Court but slyly choosing to leave it on the editing room floor. This is just a classic of the way you operate. It's not just that your substantive views are Marxism on steroids and your race-baiting is so florid it would make Jeremiah Wright blush. It's that apart from your substantive views, which are other-worldly enough, your way of presenting your "case" is so utterly deceitful as to be astounding. Here are a few other things you kinda "forgot" to include in your recounting of the Olvis case. First, the actual holding of the case is that the black defendants' allegation of racism was so lame that IT DIDN'T EVEN WARRANT DISCOVERY. Second, while we indicted 25 blacks, we decided NOT TO INDICT TWICE THAT NUMBER of blacks (along with five whites). Wouldn't you think that an Office out to get blacks would round 'em all up? Third, wanna take a guess as to what race the government's lawyer in the district court was? Oooooooooooops!!! Fourth, when I took the case to appeal it, I of course read the record. After doing so, and seeing that defense counsel had relied only on their own "informal statistical evidence," I wrote to them asking them to give me the name of anyone who had worked on this case for the government who actually harbored ill-will against blacks. I said that if they could give me ANY EVIDENCE AT ALL that such a named person acted out of racial bias, I would begin that day the process needed to get him fired. This was in 1996. Wanna take a guess as to when they replied to me stating who it was, specifically, that discriminated against their clients? RIGHTO!!! I'm still waiting! Ya see, DK, the problem was that I knew the prosecutors doing the case in the district court, knew full well they weren't racists, and knew that defense counsel knew it too. The whole thing was a sham engineered so that the gang leader, Tony Olvis, could have more time to intimidate witnesses. Oh, and one more thing I should mention in connection with your claim of racism. Here's another paragraph from the Fourth Circuit's opinion that you "forgot" to include: "The government moved for reconsideration of the district court's order, submitting an additional affidavit from Lt. Linhart which detailed the shootings and murders associated with the 'largest drug ring in Hampton Roads' history.' Lt. Linhart's affidavit pointed out that all but one of the shootings' victims were black and that there were more than ten unindicted black conspirators for every unindicted white conspirator. The affidavit added that after the indictments had been publicly announced, Lt. Linhart received several phone calls from black citizens in the predominantly black neighborhoods in which the gangs operated, expressing their appreciation for the arrests." Now DK, since you're our official "Blog Scold on Racism among Fellow Commenters", why don't you phone those black citizens and tell them they got it all wrong, and that my colleagues and I were really involved in a racist plot to get them? C'mon, DK, I'll even send you a quarter so you can make the call. They were only being naive in thinking that the people in the US Attorney's Office were the good guys. I mean, you know better because YOU WERE THERE. I mean, you WERE there, weren't you? Keep talkin', DK. From my perspective, you're the most useful man on this board. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 5, 2008 9:07:24 AM Because I am a great Patriot (and white) I celebrated the Fourth of July by enjoying fireworks on the lawn in a large public park. Drinks were provided. In fact, my friends and I bought several bottles of wine. We also bought cheese and bread. Many cops saw us. Lots of people had similar setups. We had some major drama when I couldnt find a bottle opener. Luckily, a good chap from the local prosecutors office loaned me his bottle opener, and a major crisis was averted. I have now changed my opinion of prosecutors. Alas, on the way home, I got to watch the poor black people get citations (or sometimes arrested) for having open containers of booze, because they drink the wrong kind of booze at the wrong time. Posted by: Scotus | Jul 5, 2008 10:11:20 AM S.cotus: Yup, there is indeed a difference between drinking while sitting in the park and drinking while driving. You say that the cops arrested poor black people. How do you know they were poor? Were they handing out copies of their tax returns? Were they driving an old car? So do I. Were they dressed in just shorts and a t-shirt? So was I at last night's local fireworks show. So how do you know they were poor? Also, are you sure that whites who were similarly opening up a little booze in their cars did NOT get ticketed or arrested? How would you know that? Could you see everyone leaving the area? So it's possible, isn't it, that an equal or greater number of whites had trouble with the cops for the same thing? Glad you got the bottle opener. If you get buzzed enough, though, you can try to use your teeth, although I'm not recommending it. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 5, 2008 11:14:59 AM Mr. Otis, I was not talking about drinking and driving. I was talking about possessing open containers of alcohol. (In fairness, I will admit that DUI and DWI laws, in my experience, are enforced equally.) However, people of my class simply will not be cited for drinking in public provided we know where to do it. I know they were poor because of their manner of speaking and dress. People our our class dont talk speak like poor people do. Posted by: S.cotus | Jul 5, 2008 11:50:37 AM Bill Otis: "Libby was a 56 year-old first offender convicted of a non-violent and non-drug related offense." So was Wilbert Lawrence. I agree that Libby should not serve prison time. But there are half a million people behind him who also should have their sentences commuted. Lawrence was 52 years old, had no criminal record, a superb reputation in the community, and had risen from humble beginnings. Yet YOU, Bill Otis, appealed the man's non-guideline sentence of 6 months' home confinement and probation; the guidelines called for a sentence of 10-16 months' imprisonment. Even if the district court took into account a factor that under the mandatory guidelines scheme at the time it should not have, your office could have let it go in the interest of justice. Some AUSAs do this with the right cases and with approval from supervisors all the time. But YOU and your colleagues wanted the man to serve prison time. THAT is the behavior of a "thug." Your hypocrisy is stunning. Your failure to appreciate the effects of the policies you support on the poor and un-connected population in this country is stunning. Your ability to rationalize your behavior is typical. Your years as an AUSA removed you from reality. Being a career AUSA is the worst kind of experience for understanding the criminal justice system. Just talk to any former AUSA who then became a criminal defense lawyer. Posted by: John | Jul 5, 2008 11:59:15 AM Mr. Otis implies there is nothing to debate. California's aging inmate population at a glance Aging inmates add to prison strain in Calif. Posted by: George | Jul 5, 2008 2:21:54 PM The police have full discretion over nuisance ordinances such as open container and they can be very selective about who is cited and under what circumstances. One of our officers cited the mayor at a ribbon cutting ceremony just to make it clear how unfair the realities of law enforcement were. Unfortunately I don't most folks got his point. Posted by: John Neff | Jul 5, 2008 5:06:48 PM Being a career AUSA is the worst kind of experience for understanding the criminal justice system. I think this requires some clarification. I think being a career AUSA (as opposed to one of those AUSAs that seem like political appointees) is good experience, provided you dont do it for too long. As one ex-AUSA has said, Some people just get to love the small of handcuffs. Posted by: S.cotus | Jul 5, 2008 5:18:49 PM John: "I agree that Libby should not serve prison time." Then my job is done. The op-ed wasn't about me. "But there are half a million people behind him who also should have their sentences commuted." If executive clemency were used in such a sweeping way, it would effectively displace Congress and the courts as the principal arbiters of sentencing. That would not be unconstitutional -- the executive's commutation power being plenary -- but it would be a gross expansion of executive power as previously understood and practiced. At no time has the president, any president, issued clemency on such a scale. If George Bush were to do it, it would make the complaining about his issuing signing statements pale by comparison. The only democratically legitimate way to work a wholesale revision of drug laws is to convince Congress to do it. Executive clemency was designed for use in exceptional individual cases, not as a means for the president to effectively nullify a whole category of law. Do you not know this? "[Y]our office could have let it [the Wilbert Lawerence case] go in the interest of justice." AUSA's who "let a case go" because of their personal opinions are not acting "in the interest of justice." They are acting in the interest of their own over-sized ego. When I took my oath of office, I didn't swear to turn my back on applicable law; I swore the opposite. If an AUSA piled on "creative" counts in an indictment because he viewed that as being "in the interest of justice" to deal with a defendant he thought was a really bad actor, would you be happy about that? "Some AUSAs do this [take a pass on an appeal] with the right cases and with approval from supervisors all the time. But YOU and your colleagues wanted the man to serve prison time." The request to appeal Lawerence's below-guidelines sentence (at the time the guidelines were binding, which was not the case with Libby) originated with my colleague who handled the trial. I approved it, as did the Clinton-appointed United States Attorney. We sent it over to Main Justice, where it was approved by the Criminal Division, an Assistant to the Solicitor General, the Deputy Solicitor General, and the SG himself (who if I recall correctly was Walter Dellinger, also a Clinton appointee). I didn't exactly freelance it. Why do you think it's laudable for a defense lawyer to pursue the full legal interests of his client, but unforgivable for a prosecutor to do the same? Incidentally, the Court agreed with my assessment and that of the SG, and unanimously found for the government. It did so without suggesting in any way whatever that we had overcooked the case. "THAT is the behavior of a 'thug.'" If you want to see a real thug, visit a prison. "Your hypocrisy is stunning." I answered that in a long prior post, whose analysis you do not even attempt to rebut. "Your failure to appreciate the effects of the policies you support on the poor and un-connected population in this country is stunning." Wake up. The effects of what I was doing as an AUSA benefited principally the poor and "unconnected" (whatever you mean by that). I don't need law enforcement to keep drug pushers and strongarms out of my neighborhood -- they're not here to begin with. It's the poor more than most others who need law enforcement in order to give them a chance to live in peace and safety. Even if it were otherwise, however, it would make no difference. Poverty is neither a badge of entitlement nor a get-out-of-jail-free card. Indeed it has no relevance, and neither does wealth (unless of course you're Marc Rich and can afford to buy a pardon. Where's your criticism of THAT?). "Your ability to rationalize your behavior is typical." I don't need to "rationalize" my behavior. Is anyone on this blog my boss? Are you? I must have missed that. It's closer to the truth to say that your ability to make assertions without analysis is depressing. "Being a career AUSA is the worst kind of experience for understanding the criminal justice system." QED. "Just talk to any former AUSA who then became a criminal defense lawyer." I talk to them all the time. Does it ever occur to you to ask questions before assuming things about people you don't know? Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 5, 2008 8:46:42 PM John Neff: I have my hands full responding to various other commenters, but I just wanted to say that I read all your posts and find them balanced and informative. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 5, 2008 9:10:47 PM DEAR JOHN ROBERTS ~ GOD'S MANDATE WITH YOUR U.S. SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT INCLUDE POSSIBLE FALSE EXECUTIONS OF POOR AMERICANS ?? TROY DAVIS & MUMIA ABU-JAMAL PLEASE REMEMBER THAT JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF ALSO HAD 2 DEAL WITH ...... OUR U.S.CONGRESS HAS DOCUMENTED OUR UNJUST AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND WE STILL HAVE CERTAIN AMERICANS EVEN TODAY WANTING TO RUN THE RISK OF EXECUTING EVEN POSSIBLE INNOCENT CITIZENS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE REST OF US IN THE NAME OF THEIR SO CALLED JUSTICE. GOD DOES NOT HAVE MANDATE WITH U.S. SUPREME COURT 2 CONTINUE ALLOWING POSSIBLE WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS TO BE INFLICTED ON OUR AMERICAN POOR !!! **TROY DAVIS & MUMIA ABU ~JAMAL ~ ARE HAVING PRAYERS FOR JUSTICE SAID FOR THEM WORLD~WIDE .. WE CAN ALL ONLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT EVERYONE IN OUR U.S.CONGRESS THAT KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS HOW UNJUST OUR U.S JUDICIAL SYSTEM CAN BE WITH OUR POORER AMERICANS,BECOMES ACTIVE IN MAKING SURE THAT TROY DAVIS OF GEORGIA AND MUMIA ABU~JAMAL OF PENNSYLVANIA RECEIVE FAIR AND JUST TRIALS BEFORE ANY POSSIBLE WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS TAKE PLACE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION ACT OF 2009 The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 that I introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2009 will create a blue-ribbon commission to look at every aspect of our criminal justice system with an eye toward reshaping the process from top to bottom. I believe that it is time to bring together the best minds in America to confer, report, and make concrete recommendations about how we can reform the process. This legislation has already garnered wide bipartisan support in Congress and from interest groups representing a range of backgrounds and political viewpoints. Why We Urgently Need this Legislation: With 5% of the world's population, our country now houses 25% of the world's reported prisoners. Incarcerated drug offenders have soared 1200% since 1980. Four times as many mentally ill people are in prisons than in mental health hospitals. Approximately 1 million gang members reside in the U.S., many of them foreign-based; and Mexican cartels operate in 230+ communities across the country. Post-incarceration re-entry programs are haphazard and often nonexistent, undermining public safety and making it extremely difficult for ex-offenders to become full, contributing members of society. America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace. Its irregularities and inequities cut against the notion that we are a society founded on fundamental fairness. Our failure to address this problem has caused the nation's prisons to burst their seams with massive overcrowding, even as our neighborhoods have become more dangerous. We are wasting billions of dollars and diminishing millions of lives. We need to fix the system. Doing so will require a major nationwide recalculation of who goes to prison and for how long and of how we address the long-term consequences of incarceration. MATERIALS & RESOURCES Read the legislation, S. 714 Fact sheet on the legislation Senator Webb's floor speech introducing the legislation PARADE Magazine cover story, "What's Wrong with our Prisons?" Senator Jim Webb, Sunday March 29, 2009 The scope of the problem: relevant charts and graphs List of Support for the National Criminal Justice Commission Act Of 2009 Opening Statement of Sen. Webb at Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on National Criminal Justice Commission Act, June 11, 2009 Watch Senator Webb's Floor Speech Introducing the Legislation, March 26, 2009 Senator Webb's article on the Huffington Post, "Why We Must Reform Our Criminal Justice System" MATERIALS FROM PAST HEARINGS, SYMPOSIUMS Joint Economic Committee Hearing, conducted by Senator Webb, "Mass Incarceration in the United States: At What Cost?" October 2007 Joint Economic Committee Hearing, conducted by Senator Webb, "Illegal Drugs: Economic Impact, Societal Costs, and Policy Responses," June 2008 George Mason University Symposium, hosted by Senator Webb and the GMU Administration of Justice Department, "Drugs in America: Trafficking, Policy and Sentencing," October 2008 Senator Webb's Keynote Address to the Brookings Institution's Policy Roundtable on the Challenges to Prisoner Re-entry, December 2008 NEWS ARTICLES & COMMENTARY Virginian Pilot editorial: "Time to reconsider U.S. justice system," April 6, 2009 Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star: "Behind-bars review," April 5, 2009 The Washington Post Writers Group: "Webb Leads the Charge for Much-Needed Drug, Prison Reform," April 5, 2009 Economist: "A Nation of Jailbirds," April 2, 2009 Daily Press: "Go After the Real Problem," March 31, 2009 New York Times: "Reviewing Criminal Justice," March 30, 2009 Lynchburg News & Advance: "Webb Takes on Politics' Third Rail: Prison Reform," March 29, 2009 Salon.com: "Jim Webb's courage v. the "pragmatism" excuse for politicians," March 28, 2009 The Virginian Pilot Editorial: "Time to Rethink Goals of Prison," January 5, 2009 Roanoke Times Editorial: "The Criminal Justice System Needs Help," January 5, 2009 Las Vegas Sun Editorial: "Voice for Broken Prisons," January 3, 2009 U.S. News & World Report: "James Webb Shows Leadership Regarding Prison Reform," January 2, 2009 New York Times Editorial: "Sen. Webb's Call for Prison Reform," January 1, 2009 Washington Post: "Webb Sets His Sights On Prison Reform," December 29, 2008 Daily Press: "Alternative to Jail for Addicts Gains New Supporter," December 28, 2008 The Virginian Pilot: "Senator Elevates Debate on Failed Drug, Prison Policies," October 18, 2008 The Roanoke Times Editorial: "A Sensible Call for Sentencing Reform," October 13, 2008 Washington Post Op-Ed: "Two Separate Societies: One in Prison, One Not," April 15, 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS IS A WWW VOLUNTEEER LOBBY THAT SINGS OUT FOR OUR MIDDLE~CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS. WE CAN BE FOUND WITH ANY SEARCH ENGINE BY OUR NAME OR TELELEPHONE NUMBER. (424-247-2013) lawyersforpooreramericans@gmail.com ~ WE ENJOY BRINGING THE GOOD LIFE TO ALL OF America's little people ON THE WEB. ***MANY MORE IN OUR U.S.CONGRESS ARE NOW HEARING THE TRUTH !!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- africa: ambazonia canarias estrecho / madiaq nigeria south africa canada: alberta hamilton maritimes montreal ontario ottawa quebec thunder bay vancouver victoria windsor winnipeg east asia: japan manila qc europe: alacant andorra antwerpen athens austria barcelona belgium belgrade bristol bulgaria croatia cyprus estrecho / madiaq euskal herria galiza germany grenoble hungary ireland istanbul italy la plana liege lille madrid marseille nantes netherlands nice norway oost-vlaanderen paris poland portugal romania russia scotland sverige switzerland thessaloniki united kingdom west vlaanderen latin america: argentina bolivia brasil chiapas chile colombia ecuador mexico peru puerto rico qollasuyu rosario santiago sonora tijuana uruguay valparaiso oceania: adelaide aotearoa brisbane darwin jakarta manila melbourne perth qc sydney south asia: india mumbai united states: arizona arkansas atlanta austin baltimore binghamton boston buffalo charlottesville chicago cleveland colorado danbury, ct dc hawaii houston hudson mohawk idaho ithaca kansas city la madison maine miami michigan milwaukee minneapolis/st. paul new hampshire new jersey new mexico new orleans north carolina north texas nyc oklahoma philadelphia pittsburgh portland richmond rochester rogue valley san diego san francisco san francisco bay area santa barbara santa cruz, ca seattle st louis tallahassee-red hills tennessee urbana-champaign utah vermont western mass worcester west asia: beirut israel palestine process: discussion fbi/legal updates indymedia faq mailing lists process & imc docs tech volunteer projects: print radio satellite tv video regions: oceania united states topics: biotech p; **************************************************************************************************** LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS HAS COMPLETE FAITH THAT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS IS THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR JUSTICE TO PREVAIL FOR ALL AMERICANS ! Posted by: LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS | Feb 24, 2010 6:10:46 PM Post a comment Should local Wisconsin DA be lauded or lambasted for his broad reading of Heller and McDonald? | Main | "Therapeutic Jurisprudence and its Application to Criminal Justice Research and Development" July 4, 2010 Celebrating our declaration of rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. In addition to enjoying a beautiful day, I plan this afternoon to read aloud to my kids the full text of the Declaration of Independence . And in this space, I encourage readers to comment on what this starting section of the document signed 234 years ago today should be thought to mean in the context of our modern American systems of criminal sentencing and punishment: July 4, 2010 at 10:34 AM | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451574769e2013485326eaf970c Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Celebrating our declaration of rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness": Comments I am just glad that the evils of our time are still tolerable. If civil war in the 1860s was terrible I shudder to think what it would be like now. Especially as it would likely be at least a three way fight with the survivors then turning on each other. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Jul 4, 2010 11:39:39 AM Please, recall the War of Independence was over a tax beef. I see no necessity for a war that will bust up the place. I do see the need to enforce the law, arrest the lawyer hierarchy, try them for insurrection against the constitution, execute them summarily. All our social and economic problems are solved the next day. Criminals are eradicated, increasing the level of efficient trust, versus the high cost of personal security today. Rent seeking social parasites lose their immunities, entitlements, and high privileges, including all the freaks now running the setting of cultural standards. There will be cheap, effective, corporal punishment, instead of long prison terms, which are useless babysitting services for ultra-violent criminals. The family is restored, especially in minority communities, by returning to a sensible patrimony, one not wasting the great intelligence and talents of mothers. No one is returning to being a full time housewife because technology is irreversible. No one has any immunity not shared by everyone, especially incompetent, predatory, careless judges and lawyers. The rule of law being an essential utility, its quantity is regulated to benefit the public and not to benefit its elite. Lawyers will be better off. There will be 500,000 fewer of them. Their income will be double because the value will be quadrupled, and no rent will be tolerated. The esteem of the public will be a well deserved 10 times what it is today. This is the War of Independence 2.0. Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 4, 2010 11:57:59 AM Celebrating our declaration of rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" - the Magna Carta was just as big a deal in its time in the UK. Both are episodes of history and it is right they are remembered. But times move on, and the pursuit of rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" has a different meaning today. Those that live in the past have condemned many of the present and future to a life (sometimes short) of custody and misery. Those who were responsible for the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution which followed, would not recognize your modern American systems of criminal sentencing and punishment as meeting or furthering their aims and intentions. Today, there is a "special relationship" with the old country. Not so special that you respect the right of the old country, or any other, to protect and support their own citizens against the excesses of your own destructive systems of criminal sentencing and punishment. The Times (UK) on Saturday lashed the US and its own government over the case of Linda Carty (UK citizen under severe threat of execution in Texas). It ran both a scathing editorial and a two page spread about the Carty case. The editorial can be read at the web address linked to my name. The opening paragraph is: As a metaphor for the special relationship, it is a devastating indictment of the way that America treats its closest ally. After the Supreme Courts decision not to hear her case, Linda Carty, a British citizen who was born in St Kitts, remains on death row in Texas. Her case is disturbing both in principle and in its particulars. Not only were there shocking holes in the prosecution case. But the US also reneged on a consular agreement that requires it to notify Britain if it takes legal action against a British citizen. Friends must sometimes agree to disagree Britain forbids capital punishment, the United States supports it. But good friends must above all honour their word. Posted by: peter | Jul 4, 2010 1:59:52 PM Doug -- Congratulations on getting them to sit still in one place long enough to hear the whole Declaration. Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 4, 2010 5:11:03 PM Doug; ironically I heard of a similar effort by an interviewer on public radio last Thursday. Saturday evening my family read the Declaration, each reading a segment. It is a tradition I intend to maintain. Ashamed to say that I had never the entire document at one sitting. Posted by: Steve Meyer | Jul 6, 2010 2:01:51 PM This document is in perfect sync with the psyche of teen age boys. I had one son who fell in love with it at the age of 11. He found a poster of it, framed it and hung it on his wall.. He still loves it and lives in Maui. Posted by: beth | Jul 7, 2010 12:18:27 PM The Founders who wrote "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" would never have stood up for nor chanted the Pledge of Allegiance. No one today should either. As a student, I join with other students to defy the pledge and I educate everyone that the Pledge was the origin of the Nazi salute and Nazi behavior (see the discoveries of the historian Dr. Rex Curry). The early pledge began with a military salute that was then extended outward to point at the flag (thus the stiff-arm gesture came from the pledge and from the military salute). rexcurry.net/ It was not an ancient Roman salute (that is a debunked myth). The pledge was written in 1892 for kindergartners to be forced to recite under the flag at government schools (socialist schools). The pledge was written by an American socialist who influenced other socialists worldwide, including German socialists, who used the gesture under their flag's notorious symbol (their symbol was used to represent crossed "S" letters for their "socialist" dogma -another of Dr. Curry's discoveries). The pledge continues to be the origin of similar behavior even though the gesture was changed to hide the pledge's putrid past. The pledge is central to the US's police state and its continued growth. Don't pledge allegiance - declare your independence! It is Independence Day weekend. Posted by: tiffany bell | Jul 5, 2014 6:50:23 AM Post a comment "Impeachable Offenses? The Case for Removal of the 45th President of the United States" | Main | Federal district judge explains his remarkable reasons for rejecting an unremarkable plea deal in heroin dealing prosecution July 4, 2017 "Everyone should go to jail, say, once every ten years" The title of this post is the (slightly off) headline of this recent Los Angeles Times op-ed authored by Jesse Ball. Here is the start of the provocative piece: To a nation of jailers: A notable demand that is made upon the citizens of the United States of America is that of jury duty. Although many despise, hate and avoid it, there is a general sense that the task is necessary. We believe a society is only just if everyone shares in the apportionment of guilt. To this demand of jury duty, I would like to add another, and in the same spirit. I propose that all citizens of the United States of America should serve a brief sentence of incarceration in our maximum-security penitentiaries. This service, which would occur for each person once in a decade, would help ensure that the quality of life within our prisons is sufficient for the keeping of human beings. The new population of inmates would not be separated from the general population. They would be like any others, and treated like any others. The length of incarceration would be randomly determined, anywhere from three to 90 days. Crucially, you would not be told in advance how long you would have to be there. And of course, while you are in prison serving your incarceration duty, your behavior will have to be perfect. If you were to fight with another inmate or rebuke a guard, your time might be extended, and that would go for everyone: peons, aristocrats, elected officials. All elected and appointed officials, judges, federal, state servants, members of the military, would participate in incarceration duty. There would be no putting it off. Just think, if everyone in the United States were to become, within a 10-year period, familiar with what it is like to be incarcerated, is there any question that the quality of our prisons would improve? It also follows that the skill and understanding of our juries might grow apace, as they would now know to what they were condemning those they condemn. I describe the headline of this piece as "slightly off" because it seems the author is actually calling for national service duty at maximum-security penitentiaries, not just jails. As one who has visited a few maximum-security penitentiaries and a few jails, I can say that one learns a lot just from a visit to any locus of incarceration. But while I am not sure I would endorse a mandate of actual periods of incarceration as a civic duty, I still thought it worth spotlighting this notable commentary on a day we celebrate independence and freedom. July 4, 2017 at 05:36 PM | Permalink Comments I could file one regulatory complaint each morning, and complete one lawsuit in the afternoon, uninterrupted by some job that only pays taxes to support the lawyer rackets. I would be soliciting complaints from other inmates and from guards, helping them do the same. The guards should have the full legal right to just beat the ass of someone who spit on them or offended them in any other way. They are more oppressed than the prisoners. I might even help the warden conceive and formulate legal claims against the state and against the federal government. I would be reviewing with the guards and the ordinary prisoners, the European death penalty, to end bullying. For example, all judges, especially any trained at Harvard Law School, are all biased in favor of the government. Their decisions should be reversed for bias. All judges are disqualified from any sentencing decision, their being paid by the government. They see the prosecutor and police over and over, becoming sympathetic to their viewpoints. Who knows, perhaps they are friends after cases are over. Then, e-discovery on everybody, and I mean everybody. I would be demanding cutting edge health treatments of all kinds to redo my aging body. I identify as Native American. I would demand plastic surgery to fulfill this feeling, and to enhance my chances of getting a casino license after my release. I would be busting the health budget with organ transplant demands, since my entire body has to be redone. Posted by: David Behar | Jul 4, 2017 6:43:58 PM While I jokingly say everybody should be required to spend time in jail to know what it is like, for 40 years I have semi-jokingly advocated that before a judge and prosecutor is eligible to serve, they should be required to spend a year in jail (prisons generally are comparatively too easy) under the same conditions they subject the defendant to. It might do good for public defenders too, so they more zealously represent their clients. Of course, I don't really want any of them to be subjected to the tyranny often imposed on the prisoners by some of the guards. Posted by: Daniel | Jul 4, 2017 6:47:53 PM In my criminal law small section class of 20-some students at UNC Law School in 1973-74, we visited North Carolina's maximum security prison for a couple of hours, with the Warden taking us around. It was eye-opening, and I do think citizens who see prisons even briefly will learn something useful. Posted by: Pat Oglesby | Jul 4, 2017 9:02:25 PM I have a counter proposal. Every ten years, we have all pro-criminal lawyers, especially reptile appellate judges and lawyer legislators, and all race whores take their turn. We carjack them. We pistol whip them because they have not moved fast enough. Then we take their daughter in the back seat off to parts unknown. Let them taste of the bitter fruit of their sicko ideologies, the way everyone else has to. Posted by: David Behar | Jul 4, 2017 10:36:30 PM At last , at last ... A Modest Proposal to the hoi poloi Posted by: Docile/Kind Soul In Oregon | Jul 5, 2017 2:39:21 AM I think it should be a Mandatory that all federal legal beagles and judges and if coarse congress spend 10 days in a federal prison thats at least 300 miles from their home for 9 days, that way cover 2 weekends. No visits, mandatory jobs etc. Senators included, these guys need a double dose. Posted by: MidWestGuy | Jul 5, 2017 7:28:28 AM This is silly talk. Posted by: federalist | Jul 5, 2017 8:20:40 AM Speaking of jail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4664652/Families-near-Christie-s-private-beach-leave-homes.html This story shows that not a few people should have to spend the night in the greybar hotel. Posted by: federalist | Jul 5, 2017 8:24:26 AM It's useful for someone to have to handle the criminal justice system, including for a member of one's family. Even needing to spend the night in jail (heck, a few hours), might be informative. Posted by: Joe | Jul 5, 2017 9:55:53 AM Doug, when I was a Lt. in the Navy JAG, I was at the War College in Newport Rhode Island. There were 75 of us and on a Friday, we got on a bus to the Portsmouth New Hampshire maximum security Naval Prison, and turned over to Marines. I was locked into one of those old fashioned tiered cells, where you could touch both side of the cell with your outstretched fingers. We were "released" on Sunday. While no fun at the time, I think it served a good purpose. Bruce Posted by: bruce cunningham | Jul 5, 2017 10:03:13 AM Off topic basically: https://verdict.justia.com/2017/07/05/encouraging-suicide-crime She argued the Michelle Carter prosecutor was just while at Dorf on Law expanding how she still supports a broad right to end one's life (with help if necessary). Posted by: Joe | Jul 5, 2017 11:07:57 AM A more modest proposal: While working, staff at prisons and jails would have to eat the same meals served to inmates. Posted by: Bryan Gates | Jul 5, 2017 11:46:39 AM For those who don't remember 1979, check out the film, "Brubaker." Posted by: Def. Atty. | Jul 5, 2017 4:06:14 PM Post a comment Is Singapore imprisoned by its Covid success? (PHOTO: Joseph Nair/NurPhoto via Getty Images) By Daniel Moss (Bloomberg Opinion) Singapore says it wants to back away from strict rules to combat Covid-19 and the curbs on commercial and social life that come with them. The reality on the ground shows a lack of conviction. Singapore returned to a lockdown-like state in mid-May as the number of unlinked infections started rising a troubling development for a population that largely hadnt been vaccinated. While the measure was a blow for the city-state, where cases had hovered near zero for months, the situation has improved fairly quickly. Step by step, those restrictions are now being lifted and shots are progressing. Schools will resume in-person after the summer break, while larger social gatherings and dining in are permitted again. Drill deeper into this encouraging overall picture, though, and details suggest a country ambivalent about where, and how far, to go from here. Singapore looks and feels like a place that wants the outward signs of being open for business, but appears unwilling to take many risks to get there. Showcase events have been shelved. An air-travel bubble with Hong Kong critical for a government-backed airline with zero domestic routes has gone nowhere. Offices that were only just beginning to repopulate were told to empty. Even buying milkshakes for my two small kids at the mall dissolved into paperwork and bureaucracy. School holidays last week gave me a decent vantage point to observe Singapores latest attempt at reopening. Hush-Hush Hannah, a cartoon character plastered to subway windows, was there to watch over me as I traveled. Her job is to remind passengers to keep the volume down. While Hannah began riding the Mass Rapid Transit network before the pandemic, her skills are as relevant today as ever. Hannahs speech bubbles reinforce the signboards at station entrances instructing commuters to avoid talking to prevent the spread of droplets. At busy junctions, such as Serangoon in the centre of the country, an attendant marches into the carriage waving a placard urging silence. Story continues Dining also has evidence of stop-start progress. At Tanjong Beach Club on the islet of Sentosa, servers were briskly delivering ice-cold buckets of beer and platters of fries. But something was missing: tunes. Recorded music is now forbidden, lest people talk too loudly over the noise and transmit germs. (As I munched my burger, I wondered if the beat ban would become as iconic as a chewing-gum prohibition imposed decades ago. I still encounter people who know little more about Singapore than the gum rule.) These experiences illustrate the split-screen life in Singapore. Politicians now talk about Covid as endemic, something that vaccinated people can tolerate without falling very ill. Officials have begun likening the disease to the flu and have held out the prospect of removing masks outdoors and a revival of the travel industry. Yet after more than a year of on-again, off-again crackdowns, it's hard to see Singapore dispensing with the extreme risk aversion that's defined its response to the pandemic. The approach has delivered results some would envy. Deaths have been few and far between, hospitals are coping, DIY test kits are available at pharmacies and leaders hope to have two-thirds of the countrys 5.7 million people fully inoculated by early August. Across the bridge in Malaysia, hospitals are overflowing, daily infections are in the thousands and the economy remains in the grip of recession. In Indonesia, a short ferry ride away, less than 10% of the far greater population is vaccinated. A spike in illness has made the sprawling archipelago the latest Covid hotpot in the region. Still, the lack of specifics about how substantially life will change after Singapores vaccination push is surprising, particularly given its instinct for over-planning. Officials have floated the idea that inoculated people will have more scope to move, attend events and travel. How much more? To where will they be allowed to go, for business or pleasure, and under what kind of closely managed itinerary and quarantine? What will happen to the offices in gleaming towers sporting logos of world financial giants? This week, United Airlines Holdings Inc. placed the biggest jetliner order in company history, a major vote of confidence in a post-Covid world. The message at Singapore Airlines Ltd. is decidedly more circumspect. There is a risk that Singapore imprisons itself in this relative success. For now, the price of hesitation isnt prohibitive. The economy is expected to grow as much as 6% this year, according to the government, lifted by a powerful revival in the U.S. and China. All the country needs to do is step out of the way. When the pace of recovery slows next year, the moves will have to be a lot bolder. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Daniel Moss is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian economies. Previously he was executive editor of Bloomberg News for global economics, and has led teams in Asia, Europe and North America. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Matthew Evans, 36, spotted the bright unidentified object while looking out of his top-floor flat window last week.(SNWS) A student claims he was left shocked after spotting what he described as a large UFO hovering "for 10 seconds" over a seafront in Devon. Matthew Evans, 36, says he spotted the bright unidentified object while looking out of his top-floor flat window in Teignmouth last week. Photos taken by Evans appear to show four bright lights in a triangular-shaped formation lingering in the night's sky. The student managed to get out his phone to take a picture but within seconds it had shot off into the distance. Read: Burglar jailed after making cup of tea and falling asleep during theatre break-in Evans said: "I couldn't help but see it. My kitchen window gives a great view of the sea so when it came across the horizon. "It wasn't moving like a plane would. It was moving a lot slower and went up and down for a bit before hovering for a good 10 seconds. "It stayed in one spot long enough for me to pull out my phone and get those snaps. "Then it quickly zoomed off at some speed and I couldn't see it anymore. "The light was really bright. I just didn't know what it could be so I decided to take a picture. "I'm not quite losing my marbles yet. But it's hard to place it so I suppose it is an unidentified flying object." This is the moment a student captured a large UFO hovering 'for 10 seconds' over a Devon seafront. (SWNS) Last week, a Freedom of Information request by DevonLive revealed there have been 24 reports to the police from someone claiming to have seen an alien or a UFO in the past six years, although four of them came from individuals with mental health issues. There has been renewed interest in UFO sightings in recent weeks following anticipation around a Pentagon report into the issue. Last month, a watershed US report did not rule out extraterrestrial origins of UFOs. The report said defense and intelligence analysts lack sufficient data to determine the nature of mysterious flying objects observed by American military pilots including whether they are advanced earthly technologies, atmospherics or of an extraterrestrial origin. Story continues The unclassified nine-page report, released to Congress and the public, encompasses 144 observations - mostly from US Navy personnel - of what the government officially calls "unidentified aerial phenomenon," or UAP, dating back to 2004. Labelled a preliminary assessment, it was compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in conjunction with a Navy-led task force created by the Pentagon last year. "UAP clearly pose a safety of flight issue and may pose a challenge to U.S. national security," the report stated, adding that the phenomena "probably lack a single explanation." The report marked a turning point for the U.S. government after the military spent decades deflecting, debunking and discrediting observations of unidentified flying objects and "flying saucers" dating back to the 1940s. Watch: Anticipation high for US government report on 'unidentified aerial phenomena' FILE PHOTO: Former South African President Jacob Zuma sits in the dock after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's highest court has agreed to hear former president Jacob Zuma's challenge against the 15-month jail term it gave him for failing to attend a corruption hearing, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported on Saturday. The Constitutional Court on Tuesday sentenced Zuma to 15 months in jail for absconding in February from an inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. It gave Zuma until the end of Sunday to hand himself in, after which police would be obliged to arrest him. With the decision to hear his application, that order is now suspended. Zuma has asked the court to annul the sentence on grounds that it is excessive and could expose him to COVID-19. Zuma also called the sentence a "political statement of exemplary punishment". He has maintained he is the victim of a political witch hunt and that Zondo is biased against him. (Reporting by Tim Cocks; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Is help welcome? As a fresh, eager kindergarten parent, I couldnt figure out why my sons teacher wasnt taking me up on my offer to do whatever she needed. Now, with the benefit of time, I see how eager beavers can be one more thing for a busy teacher to manage. My sons teacher was a pro whod mastered the art of getting 28 kindergarteners to sit quietly and learn. She didnt need distractions. When youre offering help, keep other members of the school community top of mind. The podcast Nice White Parents tells the story of some parents in Brooklyn, N.Y., who strode into a gentrifying school and ignored the families already there in order to remake it in their own image. Dont do this. Put your involvement in context. Some schools raise hundreds of thousands of dollars at benefit dinners, while nearby schools scrounge for toilet paper. Parents need to do right by their kids, but should also try to see the bigger picture. Is the school resisting feedback? In some cases, of course, you may have legitimate goals or complaints. Maybe your child qualifies for special services and isnt getting them. Maybe the school needs a facilities upgrade. Its easy for involvement to slide into advocacy. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} On top of the headliners, Saturday in the Park offers many other musical artists for everyone to enjoy. Tim Hodgins of Sioux City was able to see his son Silas perform on the Abe Stage with the Sioux City Conservatory of Music. I'm up here definitely for him, Hodgins said of his son. Then for Chicago's drummer and I can't miss Fogerty. Other than music, the festival is packed with many fun-filled activities and vendors. Throughout the day, the delicious smells from food vendors wafted over the park. Gobblestop Turkey Shop is one vendor thats done Saturday in the Park from the beginning. Tom Tapper, who lives up by Hospers, Iowa said on Friday that he always looks forward to serving the people of Sioux City at Saturday in the Park. I love the people of Sioux City, he said. This is what my livelihood is, Im here to take care of the customers. Numerous merchandise and arts alley vendors provide other ways to please concertgoers. One booth that always interests people is Sioux Citys own Bio Chi Institute/Mind Body Connection, where, starting at $5, massages are offered to help reduce stress and help people have a good time. Later phases, which could take effect by 2030, call for an almost complete reduction of risk to the animals. Members of the industry said that could make it harder to get lobsters to consumers. The lobster industry is prepared to do its part to conserve the whales, but a near complete risk reduction would require a total overhaul of the fishery, said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association. The fishery as we know it cannot exist, absolutely not, McCarron said. We can't solve this whole issue if whales are dying in Canada, or getting hit by ships. Everybody's very anxious to know what the rules actually say. The U.S.'s new whale rules will not go into effect immediately upon release, and it's too early to say when they will go on the books, said Allison Ferreira, the NOAA spokesperson. She said the federal government will undertake a major outreach effort to help fishermen comply when the rules are available. I think we will do a multipronged approach from sending out papers, websites, meeting in person, and instructional videos to help them understand the different components, because the different components will apply to different fishermen, she said. In addition to temporarily removing troopers from policing highways and performing other duties in their home states, the governors' actions also have raised questions about how they plan to finance the deployments. Noem accepted a donation of up to $1 billion from a Tennessee billionaire to help pay for South Dakota's expenses. South Dakotans should be asking whether the state should be accepting from an out-of-state resident to fight illegal immigration. The donation may set a troubling precedent in which future wealthy individuals may effectively try to commander U.S. law enforcement officers for their own political purposes. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey formally asked for law enforcement help from all 50 states through an interstate mutual aid agreement. But so far, only states with fellow Republican governors have complied. Is this just a tactic to make Biden look bad on immigration? Or can the outside forces actually stop human trafficking and illegal immigration in the two weeks or so that theyve been committed to serve? Mulvihill, a 2021 Norwalk High School graduate, is scheduled for a non-jury trial Aug. 16 on the serious misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to one year in jail. The State Patrol also did not have body camera video of the April 9 fatal shooting of State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith during a standoff in Grundy Center. Other agencies that responded to the incident do have body cameras, but have declined to make video public during the pending criminal case of Michael Thomas Lang, charged with first-degree murder. Body cameras, recording devices officers wear on their uniforms to document what they see and hear on the job, were used by about half U.S. law enforcement agencies in 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice reported in 2018. About 90 percent of more than 200 Iowa law enforcement agencies that responded to a survey last fall about body camera use said their agencies had the cameras. The survey was part of the In Focus series by the Iowa Newspaper Association and more than 30 Iowa newspapers, including The Gazette, that examines the use of police body cameras and access to police video in Iowa. This is the third article in that series. Olson said some of the blankets she made will be used by students at the school, while others may be given to students to take home. While Olson hopes to make more blankets, her project has been put on hold for a while. Now shes preparing to participate in the Royal International Miss pageant in Orlando, Florida, in July. Her pageant journey began in 2018 when she was named a semifinalist in the Teen Miss Nebraska competition. That was my first big step, she said. That same year she was named Junior Miss Nebraska Princess. While participating in pageants can be stressful, Olson said she enjoys the people. Ive met a lot of people Im still friends with, she said. Its been a fun experience. Shes also hoping to earn scholarship money to help fund her last year of college, she said. While in Florida, she will participate in evening gown, fun fashion, personal introduction and interview competitions. She already has submitted her talent competition, which is a video of her participating in an extreme trail riding competition, which is a rodeo event. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) With COVID-19 limits fading away, tourists are returning to Minnesota resorts, many of them from neighboring states. A lot of the workers are not coming back. The worker shortage has been building for more than a year, said Ben Wogsland, a spokesman for Hospitality Minnesota, the trade association for the states hotels, restaurants, resorts and campgrounds. The industry is down about 50,000 workers from its normal summer level of 280,000 to 290,000 workers. Many of them found other jobs during the first COVID shutdown and others left when a second hospitality shutdown was ordered, the Star Tribune reports. After last year, we were hopeful that things would get back to normal, said Sue Dutcher, manager of the St. Croix River Resort in Hinckley. Instead, she said, were being run ragged. In Detroit Lakes, Joanne Anderson faces a similar challenge at the Forest Hills Resort. Anderson manages Izzos, the resorts bar and restaurant, and right now shes running it with eight workers instead of the usual 20. CAIRO (AP) The Suez Canal Authority on Sunday said it has reached an agreement to settle a financial dispute with the owners of a hulking container ship that blocked the crucial waterway for nearly a week earlier this year. The American Society of Civil Engineers has been issuing reports on our nations infrastructure since 1998. Not once have schools, roads, drinking water, dams received a grade above C -. In the US, one of the richest nations in the world, our GPA for all categories assessed since 1998 has been D to D+. In Iowa, there is an estimated $499 million gap in what schools need for maintenance and improvements. 29% of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 15% of our rural roads are in poor condition. Our bridges get a D+. Waterways and ports on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers contribute $4+billion to our states economy and an estimated 26,000 jobs, yet the aging locks & dams are 30 years past their intended design life. We all know if problems arent addressed, they wont get better on their own. Just as the leak in your roof will get worse if left unattended, the same applies to our nations infrastructure. As issues go unaddressed year after year, the estimated cost to improve increases, from 1.3 Trillion in 2001 up to 4.59T in 2017. We need to act now. It is time for the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes and invest in strengthening our communities. We can then make these investments to improve our lives and the lives of our children. Call Sens. Ernst and Grassley and tell them to vote for Iowans and vote for the American Jobs Plan. -- Barb Wheelock, Ames, Iowa Everyone knows they didnt get Al Capone for all the heinous acts he did as a gangster; they got him on tax evasion. Tax issues may well turn out to be the Achilles heel for the Trump Organization and some of its top players. Capone failed to report and pay taxes on his illicitly acquired gains. The 45th presidents real estate and licensing company now stands charged with failing to report and pay taxes on a variety of fringe benefits to key employees after an investigation by the New York State attorney general and the Manhattan district attorney. Trumps lawyers have called the charges petty and contend they are politically motivated. Others view them as designed to put pressure on the organizations longtime chief financial officer to turn states witness. As a tax professor, I see them as a fantastic opportunity to talk about tax policy and the cat-and-mouse games that people play to avoid paying their fair share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment alleges stateas opposed to federalcrimes, but the underlying basis of the claims is federal income and payroll tax fraud, with a dash of state and local tax fraud thrown in as well. Among other things, prosecutors allege that the Trump Organization funneled approximately $1.76 million in compensation to CFO Allen Weisselberg, with neither the organization nor the CFO reporting the payments, thus allowing Weisselberg to avoid about $900,000 in taxes and improperly claim another $130,000 in improper tax refunds. Lets start from the employers perspective. Compensation is generally deductible. However, it is also subject to payroll taxes, including social security and Medicare. Typically, the employer pays half the tax, while the employee pays the other half. The employee half, which the employer withholds, is what you see reported on your pay stub. If the employer can disguise compensation as some other kind of deductible expense, it avoids the payroll taxes, saving approximately 14 percent that would have gone to the government. From the employees perspective, disguising compensation as a routine business expense avoids not only the payroll taxes, but also the income taxes that should be owed. Not bad work if you can get it. Advertisement Advertisement This leads us to the exciting world of fringe benefits, noncash payments for work done. Clearly, if your employer pays you $100,000 as a cash salary, you owe taxes on $100,000. But what if you could convince your employer to pay for your housing expenses, provide you a luxury car, and cover your childrens private school tuition, as Weisselberg is alleged to have done? Unfortunately for you, Congress is not totally out to lunch. The tax code provides that compensation for services, including fees, commissions, fringe benefits, and similar items are income. That these benefits should be considered income is made crystal-clear by the fact that Weisselbergs agreed-upon salary was allegedly reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amounts paid on his behalf. It is as if the Trump Organization paid Weisselberg and he paid his own expenses, but they decided to cut out the middleman. Even if the CFO had never touched the money, he constructively received it when it was spent on his behalf. (The same cannot be said for the alleged off-the-record cash payments he received.) Advertisement In some cases, such as with employer-provided health insurance, Congress has expressly excluded fringe benefits, with the exclusion acting as a form of government subsidy. Other examples include certain forms of parking, small life insurance policies, and so on. The general idea is that these activities produce positive externalities that employees dont capture, such that a subsidy is necessary to maximize the public good. Advertisement In other cases, Congress has decided that the employer is providing the benefit not as compensation but rather so that employees can do their jobs. Employer-provided housing, like the rent-free apartment allegedly paid for by Weisselbergs employer, is typically considered income. However, there are limited circumstances where employer-provided housing should be tax-free. For instance, imagine a fishing vessel out at sea for a few months that provides onboard cabins for the crew. Unlike Weisselbergs apartment, the shipboard housing is for the employers conveniencethat is, its necessary for the crew to do its job. Such housing should not be considered income. (In Weisselbergs case, it appears that the Trump Organizations decision to pay for his housing was also designed to obscure the fact that Weisselberg lived in New York City, thus allowing him to avoid local New York City taxes, but this is a different issue.) Advertisement Where to draw the line between a legitimate business expense and something designed to reward employees (often referred to as personal consumption by tax experts) can be difficult. Should we allow deductions only for 1-ply toilet paper, deeming 2-ply a luxury that taxpayers should not subsidize? How nice a chair or desk is truly necessary? If a business needs a car, does it truly need a fancy one? Suffice it to say that fringe benefits can raise some interesting public policy questions and that there can be some close calls. However, the fringe benefits alleged to have been provided in the Trump Organization caseapartments, private-school tuitionfall well outside any fuzzy area. Personal expenses are not deductible if incurred directly and must be treated as taxable income to the employee if paid for by an employer, subject to all appropriate taxes. While these charges may seem relatively minor given the larger allegations of tax fraud associated with Trumps statements to borrowers and tax authorities about the value of his various properties, they amount to serious violations of the basic tax rules, if demonstrated to be true. Tax laws are supposed to apply equally to all. That the Trump Organization and its employees are alleged to have committed graver sins should not take away from what appears to be blatant cheating that undermines the fairness of the tax system. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York joined forces with Rep. Jamie Raskin from Maryland to call on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to reverse its one-months suspension of sprinter ShaCarri Richardson after she tested positive for marijuana. We urge you to reconsider the policies that led to this and other suspensions for recreational marijuana use, and to reconsider Ms. Richardsons suspension. Please strike a blow for civil liberties and civil rights by reversing this course you are on, the lawmakers wrote in a letter. The one-month suspension may prevent Richardson from competing in the Olympics in Tokyo next month. Although she wont be allowed to participate in the 100m race, she may still be eligible to participate in another event. Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez and Raskin said that the ban on marijuana is a significant and unnecessary burden on athletes civil liberties. The lawmakers said it doesnt really make sense for THC, the main active chemical in marijuana, to be listed as a prohibited competition substance when even the medical director of the World Anti-Doping Agency has said there is no evidence that marijuana is performance enhancing. Plus, marijuana is legal in Oregon, where Richardson was when she used it. Advertisement Advertisement We worked with @RepRaskin and the Subcommittee on Civil Rights & Civil Liberties to formally ask @USAntiDoping to end Sha'Carri Richardson's suspension. Their decision lacks any scientific basis. It's rooted solely in the systemic racism that's long driven anti-marijuana laws. pic.twitter.com/F28c5ScI1D Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 3, 2021 Advertisement In a tweet, Ocasio-Cortez said the ban lacks any scientific basis and is rooted solely in the systemic racism thats long driven anti-marijuana laws. In a separate tweet, Ocasio-Cortez said that the criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy. The criminalization and banning of cannabis is an instrument of racist and colonial policy. The IOC should reconsider its suspension of Ms. Richardson and any athletes penalized for cannabis use. This ruling along w/ IOC denial of swim caps for natural hair is deeply troubling. https://t.co/Ao1Yu8Ax9G Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 2, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers said it makes no sense to continue to place marijuana in a prohibited category and not do the same for alcohol and cigarettes. We are also concerned that the continued prohibition of marijuana while your organizations allow recreational use of alcohol and other drugs reflects anti-drug laws and policies that have historically targeted Black and Brown communities while largely condoning drug use in white communities, they said. Anti-marijuana laws have a particularly ugly history of systemic racism. The lawmakers said that the divergent treatment of recreational alcohol and marijuana use reflects obsolete stereotypes about cannabis products. Keep your head up https://t.co/DSQn41UBBu Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 2, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Coretz and Raskin were not the only lawmakers to speak up. Rep. Ilhan Omar also expressed her support for Richardson in a tweet. President Joe Biden had a different take on the issue. The rules are the rules and everybody knows what the rules were going in, Biden said when asked about the suspension Saturday. Whether they should remain the rules is a different issue, but the rules are the rules. Anthony Fauci is worried about the emergence of almost two types of America as vaccination rates vary widely by region. Around 99 percent of recent COVID-19 deaths in the United States involved unvaccinated people, the countrys top infectious disease expert said, characterizing it as a tragic situation. Its terrible, particularly for those of us whove dealt with diseases in which you dont have an effective countermeasure, Fauci said on NBCs Meet the Press. When you have a situation like you have todaywhere you have a formidable enemy in the virus that has tragically really disrupted our planet for a year and a half and yet we do have a countermeasure thats highly, highly effective. Advertisement WATCH: Dr. Anthony Fauci tells #MTP, "We could vaccinate everybody [in the U.S.] if they want to" receive the vaccine. Dr. Fauci: "There are people throughout the world who would do anything to get the vaccine." pic.twitter.com/1goTN9cuGH Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 4, 2021 Advertisement Advertisement Even as general vaccination rates increase across the country, the delta variant could lead to a sharp rise in cases in areas where hesitancy is particularly high. Theres a disparity in the willingness to be vaccinated, Fauci said. So there are some states where the level of vaccination of individuals is 35% or less. Under those circumstances, you might expect to see spikes in certain regions, in certain states, cities, or counties. That likely increase means even fully vaccinated people should go the extra mile and make an effort to wear masks in areas where vaccination rates are low. Advertisement WATCH: If youre going to a place with a low vaccination rate, go the extra mile and wear a mask even if youre vaccinated, Dr. Fauci says on #MTP. Dr. Fauci: Vaccines are not, even as good as they are and highly effective, nothing is 100%. pic.twitter.com/iaJHTaIUg5 Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 4, 2021 Fauci called on people to stop thinking about vaccines as a political issue and merely recognize that they save lives. Were dealing with a historic situation with this pandemic, and we do have the tools to counter it, he said. So for goodness sake, put aside all of those differences and realize that the common enemy is the virus. In much of the world, Fauci said, there are people who would do anything to get vaccines. Advertisement Faucis plea came as a Washington Post/ABC News poll released on Sunday revealed that only 45 percent of Republicans have received at least one shot, compared to 86 percent of Democrats. While only 6 percent of Democrats say they arent likely to get vaccinated, almost half of Republicans47 percentsay the same thing. Almost four in 10 Republicans say they will definitely not get vaccinated against COVID-19 while 22 percent of independents feel the same way. Among the unvaccinated, 60 percent say U.S. officials are exaggerating the risk of the delta variant. In May, President Joe Biden had set the goal of giving 70 percent of the population at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4. In the end, only 20 states, Washington, D.C. and two territories reached that goal. Pope Francis will visit Slovakia He will arrive in September. Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he arrives to recite the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter's Square, at the Vatican on July 4. (Source: AP/TASR) Font size: A - | A + Pope Francis is coming to Slovakia. After the Angelus Prayer on July 4, the pope said he is pleased to announce that he will visit Slovakia from September 12 to 15 for a pastoral visit, the Vatican News website reported. His trip will begin in Budapest, where he will celebrate the Holy Mass at the conclusion of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. Subsequently, he will travel to Slovakia and visit Bratislava, Presov, Kosice and Sastin. The detailed programme is yet to be published. A great honour President Zuzana Caputova believes that Pope Francis visit to Slovakia will be a message of reconciliation and hope during the difficult times we are living through. Caputova invited the pope to Slovakia during her audience in the Vatican in December 2020. Im very pleased that Pope Francis has accepted [my] invitation to Slovakia and confirmed on Sunday that hell visit the country in September, she said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. When I met with him in the Vatican City in December, he told me that Slovakia is close to his heart. The fact that he aims to spend several days in the country proves the authenticity of his words, she added. Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS) called the visit a unique and historical moment for the relationship between Slovakia and the Holy See, as well as for believers and everybody who claims allegiance to Christian and humanist principles, TASR reported. 4. Jul 2021 at 17:27 | Compiled by Spectator staff Ripping three wide into the final turn, Manhattan Night nabbed the lead in the stretch to take the $13,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 Pace at Georgian Downs on Saturday (July 3). Driver Travis Henry settled the 5-year-old Dali mare into third from the pylon post while Casimir Swamp Girl took the lead past a :26.1 opening quarter. Sly Eleanor N off the odds-on favourite yielded for the pocket but promptly popped out to retake the lead, however Casimir Swamp Girl kept her parked through a :54 half. The speed duel softened as the leaders tired to three-quarters in 1:23.1. Henry meanwhile launched his charge around the faltering battlers and grabbed the front off the final turn. Her stablemate So Frisky gave pursuit from last to finish second in the 1:53.2 mile, beaten a length, while Queso Relleno rallied for third. A homebred for Luc and trainer Anita Ouellette owned by his Luc Ouellette Incorporated, Manhattan Night won her third race from nine starts this season and her 17th from 58 overall, earning $157,429. She paid $10.60 to win. The Prospect Series for three-year-old trotting fillies opened a few races later with Radical J J snagging the opening round as the 7-5 favourite. The daughter of Muscle Mass took the top from post 4 and led uncontested through opening splits of :28.3 and :59.1. She faced brief pressure to three-quarters, timed in 1:29.2, from Threads Of Silk before that one broke stride to the final turn. From there, Radical J J opened her lead to cross the beam 3 1/4 lengths better than Mensa in a 1:57.2 mile. I Da Princess closed for third. Owned by David Reid, A K Malik Stable, Carmen Chrysdale and Bruno Dipoce, Radical J J won her fourth race from 12 starts, earning $24,776. Colin Kelly drove the Shawn Steacy trainee who paid $4.70 to win. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs. Dr. Justin Edwards knows all about that. The Fredericksburg dentist focuses on pediatric patients and sees a number of Medicaid clients because he feels like its his duty to help the less fortunate. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} But for every $100 he bills, Medicaid only pays $20 to $30, and his practice has to eat the rest. Not everyone who leaves dental schoolwith bills as high as $300,000can operate that way, Edwards said. Whatever reimbursement Medicaid provides for dental care will be more than the Moss Free Clinic has received in the past, Dulaney said. For more than 25 years, the clinic has provided free dental and medical services to low-income, uninsured and underserved adults in the Fredericksburg regionand relied on grants, donations and services provided by volunteers to keep the doors open. Dental care is certainly a need in this population, Dulaney said. Theyve never had access to routine dental care, and they wait until its so bad, it impacts their overall health. With the expanded coverage, the Moss Free Clinic also will need more volunteers to treat dental patients, she said. The commute to Culpeper is fantastic, Hogan said, comparing it to the drive to Quantico, which frequently occurred in heavy Interstate-95 traffic. Its no problem getting out here, and a beautiful drive. Hogan said hes happy to settle in at Culpeper, and expects to remain director for the foreseeable future. After serving 10 years in the armyincluding time in Germany during Desert StormHogan has worked in the National Cemetery Association for the past 16 years, beginning as caretaker at Great Lakes National Cemetery north of Detroit, from 2005 to 2015. After that he was foreman at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery until 2018, and served as assistant director at Salisbury National Cemetery in North Carolina for 11 months before assuming the same position at Quantico. Its a pretty interesting job. Now theyve got pretty good training for those interested in such a career, Hogan said, adding he helps conduct that training during meetings in St. Louis. They shut it down during COVID but theyll be getting it going again pretty soon now, he said. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Hogans experience for many years as a cemetery caretaker gives him a unique insight into the job. In one of the more heartfelt letters he ever wrote, Lee continued, The country here looks very green and pretty, notwithstanding the ravages of war. What a beautiful world God in his loving kindness to his creatures has given us. What a shame that man endowed with reason and a knowledge of right should mar his gifts. He concluded, May He soon change the hearts of men, and enable them to repent and be forgiven. Some 12 years after the Civil War, Col. Frederic Newhalla Federal staff officer during the Battle of Brandy Stationboldly asserted, The Gettysburg campaign was opened actively in Virginia, when General (Alfred) Pleasontons command crossed the Rappahannock River on the morning of the 9th of June, 1863, at Kellys and Beverlys Fords, and engaged the command of General J.E.B. Stuart. The influence of that days encounter on the great campaign which it inaugurated, has never been fully understood or appreciated by the public ... Yes, indeed, the momentous Battle of Brandy Station took place throughout the day on June 9, 1863. Stepping outside his headquarters tent, General Lee looked down on Fleetwood Hill, six miles straight north. Utilizing his field glasses, he observed the heavy mounted fighting around Brandy Station, and later in the morning, at Stevensburg. Another way to reduce your impact and carbon footprint is to cut back on the amount of garbage your household generates. Zero waste home guru and author Bea Johnson says cutting out landfill-bound trash is all about the discipline to follow five simple rules: Refuse what you don't need (like freebies and junk mail), let go of what you dont use or need in your home (boosting the all-important waste-busting second-hand market), reuse, recycle and compost. Her family has been able to reduce their annual landfill-bound waste to a few pieces of plastic and other debris that can fit into a small jar, and saves lots of money along the way. Johnson reports shaving about 40% off her overall family budget thanks to going zero waste. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. No day is ever the same in the life of Nicole Lanning. Thats the way she likes it. Her job responsibilities can shift from talking to students, talking to teachers, assessing cognitive and academic ability, and reviewing data are some of the things Lanning does day-to-day. Lanning is a school psychologist. Its a very diverse role, Lanning said. Now, Lanning is leaving ESU-13 for a similar position at Scottsbluff Public Schools. She was born and educated in South Dakota. She received a bachelor of science in psychology with a specialization in developmental psychology and a minor in womens studies at South Dakota State University. She also earned a graduate degree and educational specialist degree in school psychology from the University of South Dakota. She moved to Scottsbluff after she was offered work in the area. She said job prospects were better in western Nebraska than South Dakota. And I really wanted to get closer to the mountains, truthfully, she said. Initially, Lanning said personal experience drew her into the field of psychology. SCOTTSBLUFF West Nebraska Arts Center, with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and Bob & Sue Van Newkirk, is pleased to present the 2021 Presidents Show, an exciting collection of original artworks based on a theme. The theme is Resilience chosen by Cher Maybee, West Nebraska Arts Center Board President. This is a judged group show open to all media and artistic styles that convey the theme of what resilience means. The exhibit opened Thursday, July 1. The WNAC announced the winners of the 2021 Presidents Show: Resilience. Best of Show goes to Rod Clause with I Am Cracked but I Am Still Here. Presidents Choice, chosen by Maybee, goes to Pam Perry with Endeavor to Persevere. Honorable mentions go to Mary Ellen Neff with Tropical Resilience, Chas Lierk with Reaching for the Heavens and Steph Coley with Reaching for Sunshine. Judges Highlights go to Chad with Reconsilience, Steph Coley with Not Today, Satan, Teri Kezar with Urn nest, and Catherine Redfern with Enter the Brown Mouth of a CFO.= The Fourth of July is right around the corner. I think we should all take a moment and review what it is to be an American citizen. Around the turn of the last century, the American Creed was written. I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies. (Written by William Tyler Page, 1917, passed by Congressional Resolution April 3, 1918) Decades ago, the American Creed was in common use. Along with George Washingtons farewell address it was often found printed in the back of school textbooks. We dont hear too much about it anymore. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Many club members, YMCA personnel and volunteers were on hand to get the field ready for the special weekend. Flags may be purchased online at https://mooresvillelknexchange.org or on-site at the YMCA through Saturday at 3 p.m. for $35 each in honor or memory of a veteran or first responders. Visitors may walk the field at any time. A special Field of Flags salute will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday with several guest speakers, along with special music. Flags can be picked up Monday from 8-10 a.m., Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. or July 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rockie Lynne will be performing at 6:15 p.m. on July 3 with fireworks following at 9:15 p.m. The event is made possible by presenting sponsors BestCo, HopTown and the town of Mooresville. In a release from the YMCA, guests are encouraged to arrive early to get a good view of the show, and for the safety of guests, grills, pets, sparklers and outside fireworks are not permitted. It was also noted that there will be limited vendors on-site compared to previous years, and most will accept only cash. There will be remote parking and shuttle service available from Trinity Baptist Church, 221 Ervin Road, Mooresville. Well it is July, which is my second favorite month of the year. (I know, youre dying to know June. June is my favorite.) July is my second favorite mainly because it is hot, and there is no school, and I love red, white and blue. This year, Chief Justice Paul Newby of the North Carolina Supreme Court has proclaimed that July is Juror Appreciation Month. Hey, another reason to celebrate July Im in. Any person who is charged with a crime has the right to a trial by jury pursuant to the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 24, of the North Carolina Constitution. As such, jurors are a necessary part of our justice system. Juror Appreciation Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the importance of jury service, to thank the many members of the public who have served on juries and to educate citizens about jury service. During the pandemic, jury trials had been suspended across the state, including here in Iredell and Alexander counties. Because of the overriding concern for the safety of our citizens, state and local court officials decided against bringing pools of jurors into our courthouses for jury selection and for jury trials. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Every Memorial Day since Sara Hutchinson was a high school freshman, she has played Taps at the Kalama Memorial Day celebration hosted by the citys Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. The close connection made Hutchinson an easy recruit for the two organizations when the Army combat medic left the service in 2008 after five years. When her son was born nine years ago, she, like many veterans who work fulltime and have young families, started attending fewer meetings a trend she said is affecting membership organizations overall. I think all nonprofits are losing members because younger generations arent joining, Hutchinson said. At 38, Hutchinson is among the younger local veterans. According to the U.S. Census, about 57% of Cowlitz Countys veterans are more than 65 years old. As service members age, local veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the VFW are working to maintain services to aid the areas large population of former military members. The U.S. Census reports about 11% of the county population are veterans, compared to roughly 7% in the nation. Kalama struggles For a few years in the early 1980s, the Kalama American Legion had only two active members: Brian LaRoy and the late Howard Jaeger. LaRoy said the pair was determined to carry on local traditions, such as the Memorial Day service at the Kalama IOOF cemetery. Last years event was short two people to fire a 21-gun salute. Yet, LaRoy keeps recruiting. +4 Kalama community gathers to remember, honor local veterans KALAMA Locals and those with local roots made the drive to the Kalama IOOF cemetery on Monday to remember fallen servicemembers. We struggle along because not a lot of people participate, with the internet and TV, he said. We try to keep it going for the veterans and the community. LaRoy said when he joined the Legion in 1968, almost every small town across the country had a post back when people didnt travel as much, and instant communication wasnt possible. Randy Hahn a charter member of the Kalama VFW in 1988 said veterans organizations were a way to socialize and help each other before social media. Once the group convened to buy an RV for a member who suffered a stroke and lost his home. When veterans need help filing for Veterans Affair benefits, they go to the Kalama VFW building. Today, Hahn and LaRoy said each organization has about 40 members. Nearly half the Kalama American Legion members live in Woodland, said LaRoy, where there is no local chapter. Even with the members outside the city, age affects the overall count. If we gain any ground, the tides of time take it away from us, he said. Service center The way people communicate may have changed over time, but Hahn said the demand for veterans services remains. If you go What: Veterans' Forget Me Not Golf Classic fundraiser for the Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center When: 11:30 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. shotgun start, Sept. 11 Where: Three Rivers Golf Course, 2222 South River Road, Kelso Cost: $80 for veterans, $100 for others Info: 360-200-4611 The important thing is the need for veterans and the community, he said. That has never gone away. According to the U.S. Census, about 25% of Cowlitz County veterans have a service-related injury. The Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center in Longview has served nearly 6,000 local veterans since the center opened in 2015, according to founding volunteer Bill Bangs, who served in the Army for 20 years. 'Veterans serving veterans': Service Center assisting more vets As leaders of the Cowlitz County Service Center, Army veterans William Bangs and Larry Geiger exemplify the organizations motto: Veterans he At the Fir Street center, the all-volunteer staff help veterans find out if they are eligible for services such as rental assistance, disability compensation, health care and funeral reimbursements. If veterans cant find their discharge papers to file for benefits, volunteers can help them out. Bangs said he noticed over time local veterans needed better access to aid, so he helped establish the center and joined the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. The centers secretary, Vickie Carnahan, said honoring people who served often comes with age. Carnahan annually attends the Longview Memorial Park Memorial Day Ceremony organized by groups such as the Longview American Legion and the Mount St. Helens Detachment 889 of the Marine Corps League. She hopes the tradition continues. Times are changing, she said. Your upcoming younger generation, lets just hope they look at it with the respect we all have now. Kelso rejuvenates Dan Halverson and a group of motorcyclist veterans teamed up to breathe life into the faltering Kelso American Legion in 2018 by forming a subgroup of the organization called the American Legion Riders. The Kelso American Legion was formed a century ago, but by 2018 membership had fallen to about eight. Today the organization has grown to 107, he said. The riders alone make up almost half the membership. Recruitment, Halverson said, comes when people see the groups flag-waving motorcycle rides through town. Other people show interest when members volunteer at local veterans funeral services. People really want to be part of something good, he said. They see us daily riding with flags and honoring vets. It just attracts people. The group plans to convert the Legions building from a bar to a quieter site where veterans can drink coffee and play cribbage, he said. Home away from home In 1973, the Longview American Legion was a pretty active night spot, according to Ken Smith. It used to be one of the best dance places in the county, he said. One night of dancing turned into a lifetime for the Navy veteran, when he met a local girl named Wilma and married her three months later. And Im still here, the 72 year old said. Smith joined the American Legion just a year after his four-year tour in Vietnam, but didnt start volunteering regularly until years later after his kids were grown, and after Wilma passed away after 45 years of marriage. Without his wife, Smith turned to the Legion, where he manages the kitchen, bar and pull tabs. As pandemic restrictions lift, hes looking forward to the return of dances, and the biggest BINGO crowds around. Longview American Legion member Pat Dunlap said the organization is an anchor for local veterans, basically their home away from home. Bernard DeGross of Longview has been a member of the national organization for 75 years. He said he joined the Legion a year after leaving his six-year tour with the Navy during World War II because he supports them. DeGross signed up for the military with a friend from Mossyrock and manned a destroyer warship that was converted to a seaplane tender. He said his crew was attacked in Alaskas Dutch Harbor. At 98 years old, DeGross said he is proud I served, but doesnt know any remaining WWII veterans. Even as members age, Dunlap said the organization has more participants today than when he joined 16 years ago. Roughly 30 new members joined within the last year, he said. He attributed the growth to the services the organization provides, such as referrals to the Cowlitz County Veterans Service Center and transportation to the VA hospital in Vancouver. This fall, the group is bringing the Wall that Heals a 375-foot wide traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to town. In the years ahead, Dunlap hopes those services and events endure. I want it to continue to keep serving the community, he said. I want it to continue to be a veterans organization from now and into the future. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Councilmember Steve Kallio said he didnt remember the prior approval being so binding. Kallio suggested bringing some high schoolers interested in art to help with the mural as a way to get the community involved in the project. Yakovich said he would propose it to the art alliance. Kalama City Council approves beekeeping in city limits KALAMA Kalama residents can now keep bees near their homes after the City Council approved an ordinance Thursday regulating the activity, ab Several members of the public said they liked the idea of a mural but wished the citizens had more input in the project and that the group approached a local artist. As someone who has lived here for 20 years and loves this town, it would be breath of fresh air for citizens to be included in these kinds of decisions, said resident Kat Crum. Mayor Mike Reuter said citizens had a chance to comment on the project when it was proposed in April. Councilmember Wendy Conradi said she didnt understand how a positive project became so political. Yakovich said he believes Envision Kalama acted in good faith from the councils last decision but understands how there could have been a misunderstanding. The project is not at a point where it can be edited, he said. The group has spent $8,000 so far and will spend another $8,000 once the work is complete, Yakovich said. Its something that we get to have the best seat in the house to see everything and see it clearly and its just a great way that we can give back to the community, Rhodes said. Both of us do a fair amount of community service, but this is by far the most fun thing that we do, Meschke added. Jenny Reid brought her two boys to attend the parade. Eight-year old Tripp and 6-year-old River both enjoyed themselves, despite the last-minute decision to attend. This is the first time, Reid said. They just actually saw it on Facebook at 9 oclock this morning. Both boys had an eye for the big rigs as Tripp said his favorite part was watching the fire trucks, while River liked the semis. While some kids scoured for candy, Tripp and River helped out as they were happy to collect candy for others, but chose not to keep any for themselves. After the parade, there were plenty of the normal events at Lake Sacajawea, but first, the Longview Pioneer Lions Club put on races for kids in front of R.A. Long high school. The races featured multiple age groups and included normal sprints, three-legged races, sack races and wheelbarrow races to give the kids plenty of opportunities to win some candy from the Lions. Vivo X60 smartphone series was launched in India in March, three months after the flagship handset arrived in China at the end of 2020. The company has now announced a new campaign for the month of July offering discounts along with new finance schemes for X60, X60 Pro, and X60 Pro+ smartphones. Vivo EMI, cashback offers As part of the companys Frame Happiness promotion, Vivo is offering a 12-month no cost EMI on all Vivo X60 smartphones sold via online channels with an additional 5,000 off on exchange. The company is also offering a 10 percent cashback for HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance customers, along with accidental and liquid damage protection. The official e-store will also offer up to 5,000 cashback for HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank credit card holders for regular transactions, and EMI transactions for debit/credit cardholders. The offers are valid till July 31. Also read: Looking for a smartphone? From Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi to Vivo, check our Mobile Finder here. Vivo X60, X60 Pro and X60 Pro+: Prices Earlier this year, we had reported the launch of the companys Vivo X60, X60 Pro and X60 Pro+ smartphones, which are available in varying RAM and storage options. The Vivo X60 is sold in an 8GB RAM+128GB variant which is sold at 37,990, while a 12GB+256GB variant is sold at 41,990, The Vivo X60 Pro is sold at 49,990 and is available in a single 12GB RAM + 256GB variant. Similarly, the Vivo X60 Pro+ is also in just one variant - 12GB+256GB and is sold at 69,990. Vivo X60 and the X60 Pro+: Specs The specifications of the Vivo X60 and the X60 Pro+ include a triple rear camera setup including a 48MP Sony IMX598 sensor, with two 13MP sensors and a 32MP front camera. The Vivo X60 Pro+ has a better camera setup, including a 50MP Ultra Sensing GN1 sensor, along with 48MP, 32MP and 8MP camera sensors. While the Vivo X60 and Vivo X60 Pro come with a Snapdragon 870 chipset and 4300mAh and 4200mAh batteries respectively. Meanwhile, the flagship Vivo X60 Pro+ comes with a Snapdragon 888 processor and a 4200mAh battery under the hood. It is often said that a bank is a technology firm in disguise. The relentless rise of fintech startups in recent years clearly suggests that the more a traditional bank can think and act like a fleet-footed technology firm, the greater are its prospects of surviving and thriving in the future. The rise of neo-banking is ushering in an era of digital, branchless banking. In this brave new world, the target customers are millennials and members of Gen Z, their banks of choice are smart apps running on a smartphone, and those smart apps are powered by disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. This article explores technologically disrupted scenarios that signal the arrival of a new normal in financial services. New-age customers tend to take a dim view of traditional banking. Instead of filling forms at a branch, they would rather approach their bank via a responsive, feature-rich Android or iOS app that understands their needs and offers contextually relevant products and services. This is why legacy banking is under assault from the fintech sector. One way for traditional banks to protect their turf is to invest heavily in enhancing customer experience through real-time natural language processing technologies such as Conversational AI. HDFC Bank offers an Android-based conversational bot called EVA, which can answer the day-to-day queries of the banks customers via natural language interactions, accurately and quickly. EVA can also glean valuable insights into customer trends and behavioral patterns, which can be used to construct customized offerings for customers. Where there is money, there is also fraud. Consider credit card transactions and online payments. With more than 1 billion credit card transactions per day worldwide, nearly $25 billion was lost in 2018 alone due to fraud. Any technical solution to this complex problem presents a double-edged sword. Take a very aggressive posture against fraud, and there are too many false-decline transactions, which creates unhappy customers. Take a very benign posture, and there are too many credit cards hit by fraud, which erodes customer trust. Large credit card companies such as American Express and MasterCard invest heavily in Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms to carefully balance their aggressive-or-benign posture by constantly learning about fraudulent behaviors, fine-tuning their fraud analytics and prediction models, and determining in real-time whether an ongoing credit card transaction is above or below an acceptable risk threshold. In traditional banking, borrowing and lending are fraught with friction. For borrowers, it conjures up unpleasant images of mind-numbing paperwork, opaqueness, delay, and uncertainty. For lenders, it means an internal tussle between someone trying to sell a loan and someone trying to minimize the risk of default. Today, consumer lending is going through a revolution thanks to digital lenders. The ability to cut human underwriters out of the loop and use the power of AI and automation to determine whom to lend, how much to lend, and at what rate to lend, all in a matter of minutes, has opened up a new market for hyper-personal lending. For example, Simpl offers a Buy Now Pay Later solution that enables consumers who have no credit cards to make online purchases on monthly credit. Reminiscent of the old-world khata in the neighborhood kirana store, it makes intra-month consumer borrowing frictionless for large segments of the population. It may come as a shock to many that more than 70 million people, or 1% of the world population, are refugees or have been forcibly displaced from their homelands due to persecution. Financial inclusion is a huge challenge even for legitimate citizens in every country, but it assumes a truly ominous dimension for refugees that have lost their identities altogether. The World Food Program, operated by the United Nations for 100,000+ Syrian refugees in Jordan, has used Blockchain technology to create fully trusted digital identities. This trusted digital identity framework is used to provide food safety, cashless services, and direct cash transfers to the refugee community. The use of Blockchain technology can not only improve the quality of life and dignity of refugees, it can also eliminate fund leakages and corruption historically associated with such programs. China, Sweden, and certain Caribbean and Middle Eastern nations are pioneering central bank digital currencies (CBDC). China was the first major economy to announce DCEP (Digital Currency Electronic Payment), a fully digital currency available via a mobile wallet app, pegged 1:1 with the fiat currency RMB, and designed to eventually replace M0. Built using Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, CBDCs are capable of overcoming the limitations of paper money. For most economies, printing and managing paper money is frictional and erodes 1-2% of GDP. Moreover, CBDCs can boost tax revenues by reducing tax evasion and money laundering, in effect raising financial compliance and national security. CBDCs can also provide central banks powerful insights into the purchasing patterns of citizens. In the long run, CBDCs may make cross-border payments fast and painless, and may also lead to DCEP becoming an alternative global reserve currency. As millennials and members of Gen Z enter a period of affluence, as smartphones become ubiquitous, and as deep technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain turn more affordable, every provider of financial services must fully embrace the digital revolution. In a colorful interview for the 1996 PBS documentary Triumph of the Nerds, Steve Jobs had said that Apples major competitive advantage was that its primary competitor had absolutely no taste. What Jobs was trying to say was that new-age computer users preferred elegant computer interfaces to merely functional ones. In a similar sense, new-age banking customers may no longer be satisfied with the functional interfaces and prosaic experiences offered by traditional banks. Digital disruptions have irreversibly altered the taste buds of consumers. There is no going back. This article has been written by Santanu Paul, CEO and MD of TalentSprint, and Vishal Kanvaty, Chief of Innovation of NPCI She has had her dreams shattered, but here is one that is all set to become reality very soon. So, who is Sirisha Bandla, the India born woman who will fly into space on Virgin Galactic along with billionaire Richard Branson? To put things in historic perspective, she is the second India born woman who will have flown into space after Kalpana Chawla. The difference being that she will be flying on a spacecraft belonging to a private company. Who is Sirisha Bandla? Sirisha Bandla is 34 years old and hails from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh in India. She moved to the US when she was just 4 years old. Sirisha has a stellar educational record and is a graduate from Purdue University, Indiana - the school of aeronautics and astronautics. She has also completed her Masters degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University. Bandla comes from a well-educated family. Her grandfather retired as Principal Scientist at a government-run agriculture university and her father and uncles are doctors. I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all. https://t.co/sPrYy1styc Sirisha Bandla (@SirishaBandla) July 2, 2021 Shattered dream Despite the massive success, one of Bandla's dreams looked to have been shattered early. She wanted to be an astronaut at NASA but due to her poor eyesight, she realised that would never happen. This image provided by Virgin Galactic shows, from left: Chief Pilot Dave Mackay, Lead Operations Engineer Colin Bennett, Chief Astronaut Instructor Beth Moses, Founder of Virgin Galactic Richard Branson, Vice President of Government Affairs and Research Operations Sirisha Bandla and pilot Michael Masucci. Branson is aiming to beat fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos into space by nine days. Bransons company announced Thursday, July 1, 2021 that its next test flight will be July 11 and that its founder will be among the six people on board. The winged rocket ship will soar from New Mexico _ the first carrying a full crew of company employees. It will be only the fourth trip to space for Virgin Galactic. (Virgin Galactic via AP) (AP) Sirisha Bandla reaction In her reaction to having a chance to jet off into space, Bandla tweeted: " I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all. I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all. https://t.co/sPrYy1styc Sirisha Bandla (@SirishaBandla) July 2, 2021 Virgin Galactic launch date Richard Branson had on Thursday revealed on Thursday that his company's next rocket-powered test flight will take off with six people on board including himself. It will launch from New Mexico on July 11th. Jeff Bezos Another billionaire who will be heading into space is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, along with his brother, on his company's spacecraft. The Blue Origin flight will jet off on July 20. Elon Musk Yet another billionaire who has a space company is Elon Musk. It is called SpaceX. Space Tourism All three of these billionaires are looking at taking paying customers into space and bringing them safely back to earth. Jeff Bezos will be stepping aside as Amazon CEO while keeping the title of executive chair at the tech and e-commerce titan. As he prepares to blast off into a new career stage, Jeff Bezos leaves an enduring legacy after transforming Amazon from a modest online bookseller into one of the world's most powerful corporations. Bezos, 57, was set to hand over the job of Amazon chief executive on Monday to Andy Jassy and turn his attention to his private space exploration firm, philanthropy and other endeavors. He will retain a key role, however, as executive chair at the technology and e-commerce colossus he founded 27 years ago. The transition comes after a spectacular streak for Amazon, which has drawn attention for its innovations. But the firm has also been vilified over business practices that have crushed competitors and raised concerns over treatment of a workforce of more than one million. "Bezos has been a transformational leader... in book selling, the retail market, cloud computing and home delivery," said Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center for Technology Innovation. "He was a pioneer who introduced many of the conveniences that people take for granted, such as going to an online store, ordering something, and having it delivered to your home the next day. The whole e-commerce sector owes many of its innovations to this individual." In public appearances, Bezos often recounts the early days at Amazon, started in his garage, when he packed up orders himself and drove boxes to the post office. Today, Amazon has a market value of more than $1.7 trillion. It posted 2020 annual revenues of $386 billion from operations in e-commerce, cloud computing, groceries, artificial intelligence, streaming media and more. This April 24, 2015 handout photograph obtained courtesy of Blue Origin shows Jeff Bezos at New Shepard's West Texas launch facility before the rocket's maiden voyage The two companies leading the pack in the pursuit of space tourism say they are just months away from their first out-of-this-world passenger flightsthough neither has set a firm date. Virgin Galactic, founded by British billionaire Richard Branson, and Blue Origin, by Amazon creator Jeff Bezos, are racing to be the first to finish their testswith both companies using radically different technology. 'An instinct' Bezos "had an instinct for the right thing" in finding the next market, said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. Kay said Bezos deftly transitioned from books to other merchandise to an online marketplace, and successfully built the cloud infrastructure for the company which became the highly profitable Amazon Web Services. Amazon outlasted its rivals by forgoing profits in its early years "and reinvesting everything into expanding," Kay said. "If you look at the trajectory now, it was all logical," Kay added. "You can say Bezos has been one of the best business architects of his time." Bob O'Donnell of Technalysis Research said Bezos "wasn't the first or the only one, but he took the concept (of e-commerce) and worked to perfect it." Amazon was able to outdo rivals because Bezos "recognized the need to build infrastructure," including the vast network of warehouses, trucks, planes and other logistics for the business, O'Donnell said. "A lot of other companies didn't want to spend money on the messy behind-the-scenes work." An image of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is pictured on a jacket as people rally rally outside a Whole Foods Market in solidarity with Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, who hope to unionize, in Seattle, Washington on March 26, 2021. The stunning rise of Amazon has made Bezos into one of the world's richest people, with a net worth close to $200 billion, even after a divorce settlement which gave part of his stake to his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. Bezos will step away from day-to-day Amazon management to spend more time on projects including his space firm Blue Originwhich is set to take him into space later this month. He owns the Washington Post newspaper and has devoted time and funds to efforts to fight climate change, while also facing criticism after recent reports that he paid no income tax at all some years. Whither Amazon? His departure leaves questions about the future of Amazon as it faces a torrent of regulatory scrutiny and criticism from activists. US lawmakers are considering a measure that would make it easier to break up Amazon, amid concerns that a handful of Big Tech firms have become too dominant, hurting competition in a way that eventually harms consumers. Amazon was well-positioned during the coronavirus pandemic with its fast delivery of goods and groceries, and boosted its US workforce to more than 800,000. While the company has boasted of its $15 minimum wage and other benefits, critics say its relentless focus on efficiency and worker surveillance has treated employees like machines. Jeff Bezos (center) is seen at the Amazon Prime Video's Golden Globe Awards After Party in 2019 highlighting the success of Amazon Studios. The Teamsters union recently launched a campaign to organize Amazon employees, claiming its workers "face dehumanizing, unsafe and low-pay jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work." Bezos appeared to respond to worker concerns earlier this year when he called for a "better vision" for employees after a bruising battle over a unionization vote in Alabama, which ultimately failed. He laid out a new goal for the company to be "Earth's best employer and Earth's safest place to work," in his final letter as chief executive. Yet Amazon is likely to face challenges ahead that will make it difficult to keep its trajectory. "The backlash against this sector probably will result in stronger government oversight of technology companies," said West. Kay said Amazon might become "a victim of its own success" and be forced to break up into two or more firms. Still, he said that "each of those entities would thrive in its own market; I can easily imagine the sum of the parts being greater than the whole, so it might not hurt shareholders." Explore further Bezos to hand over Amazon CEO reins on July 5 2021 AFP Iola Fourth of July Celebration, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Iola Community Center, 7264 Main St. in Iola. Free hot dogs, dessert and drinks. Fireworks will start around 9 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. BCS Firecracker 5K, 8 a.m. starting from Brazos Running Co, 1717 Texas Ave. in College Station. Participants are encouraged to dress in America-themed costumes and run or walk the course through the College Hills subdivision. Adult registration is $30, and proceeds benefit the Mercy Project. For more information or to register, visit go.theeagle.com/firecracker. Fourth of July concert with Brazos Authority, 3 p.m. at Century Square, 175 Century Square Drive in College Station, featuring American and patriotic songs. The concert is free, and free parking is available in the garage. Symbols of Liberty, 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 3100 Cambridge Drive in Bryan. A free patriotic concert feature the churchs choir and orchestra, followed by a family picnic. Child care will be provided. Madisonville Fourth of July Celebration, 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Lake Madison Park. Fireworks, food vendors, and live music by Modulation Band. Free admission. Agreement is not to be found, and that doesnt bode well for the country we all love. Yes, we all do love America, and that is lost in the ranting and fuming on both sides of the political divide. That we may seek a different direction for America is not bad. In fact, having a plethora of ideas can be healthy for this nation, or any nation. But those have to be heard, not just by the proponents but also by the loyal opponents. We dont have to agree, but we need to listen to one another, to hear what each other is saying. Who knows? The other side might have an idea we like. Conservatives tend to want less government, fewer personal restrictions. Liberals want government to do more, to provide more, no matter the cost. Of course, there is a range of thought within each of those broad categories. If we listen, if we truly listen, we just might find a way out of this ideological divide that currently splits out nation. Ben Carson, the former presidential candidate who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Donald Trump, said, Our strength as a nation comes in our unity. We are the United States of America, not the divided states. And those who want to divide us are trying to divide us, and we shouldnt let them do it. The initiation ceremony for Christina Haba and Celia Reid was performed and the group welcomed them as Epsilon Sisters. The Tri-chapter Member Celebration Ceremony honoring 10-, 25-, 35- and 50-year members from Chi, Nu and Epsilon chapters was performed. Epsilon sisters Mary Jane Hinrichsen and Beverly Wolfe were honored as Gold Sisters. They were congratulated on 50 years of membership in Alpha Delta Kappa. * April 21 at Third City Christian Church. Carolyn Bixenmann, founder and chair of FamilyFirst Academy, presented the program. She discussed the need for low-cost, quality childcare and educational programming for low-income families in the Grand Island area. Members who attended the ADK State Conference on April 10 at Kearneys Younes Conference Center discussed their impressions of the conference. Tess Westover and Sherri Klentz will be the chapter delegates for the virtual International ADK Convention on July 5-16. * May 1 at Riverside Country Club. We want people to open their eyes and try shopping locally, Barr said. While the local program is modeled after the Nebraska Passport Program, its on a smaller scale. The Nebraska Passport Program aims to drive tourism across Nebraska, but we strive to have people in our community visit and shop at local businesses to help the economy that way, Palmer said. We hadnt planned to start the program during the pandemic, but it started out that way. But, we were happy to do it because a lot of people were really talking about the importance of shopping local and that was kind of the drum we wanted to beat as well. She said they gave out 800 passport booklets in 2020. We didnt receive as many back as we hoped, but the reason for that is that people were not going into stores and things like that, Palmer said. We were happy, though, that we handed out 800 passports as it gave the participating businesses more awareness. That is where we really struck gold last year, in the awareness aspect. Dixie McCord named agent of the year Dixie McCord, CISR Elite, CPIA of Pathway Insurance Agency in Cairo, has been named Agent of the Year for Professional Insurance Agents Association of Nebraska and Iowa. The award was presented during an awards ceremony last month in Elkhorn, during the associations 2021 annual convention. McCord was honored for her contributions to the insurance industry, the independent agency system, and her wealth of knowledge of the insurance industry. She was nominated by her PIA peers in a blind ballot as an individual who is an effective business/agency leader and who has a broad knowledge of insurance risk management practices. She can be reached at Pathway Insurance Agency at 308-392-3645. Runza honors local assistant manager Joshua Janulewicz, assistant general manager of the South Locust Runza Restaurant in Grand Island, received the Assistant Manager of the Year award from Runza Restaurants. The honor is given to an assistant manager who operates a clean and organized store and acts as a motivational force to all employees. The South Locust Runza is located at 2004 S. Locust St. Gov. Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture are set to host the Nebraska Ag and Economic Development Summit on Aug. 4 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Registration for the event is now open at negovsummit.com. Former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will give the keynote address. Nebraska has emerged from the pandemic in a strong position due to the resilience of our people and our top industries, including agriculture and manufacturing, Ricketts said. This years summit will convene leaders from across the state to explore ways to build on that momentum and keep Nebraska growing. We look forward to hosting former Iowa Governor and Ambassador Terry Branstad as this years keynote speaker. As the states premier economic development forum, the summit this year will add an agricultural focus, with co-sponsor NDA to host a number of industry-related sessions. Discussion tracks will include building the states broadband infrastructure, growing ag-related exports, supporting entrepreneurship, growing the workforce, and much more. At the time, Castor said that unless Cosby confessed, he did not think he could prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and he told Cosby he would not be prosecuted. Castors decision not to proceed with a criminal case was calculated to give at least some measure of justice to Constand, because it removed Cosbys ability to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and thus meant he had to answer questions under oath in her civil lawsuit against him. Constand won $3.38 million, most of which, the Supreme Court noted, went to her attorneys. Castors decision not to prosecute, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided, amounted to a promise that Cosbys testimony in his civil deposition would never be used against him in criminal court. But the prosecutor who succeeded Castor did not see it that way and filed criminal charges against him in 2015, just days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. As it happened, Cosby did incriminate himself during the course of four sworn depositions in Constands civil lawsuit. Americans have died on the battlefields of many countries to keep these freedoms alive. Because of those sacrifices, America remains a great country. That greatness is also built upon the fact that Americans elect their leaders. Americans have a say in their government, on all levels. Not all may agree with someone in office, but they should respect them for its the people who have elected them and given them great duties and responsibilities. People from all over the world seek to come to the U.S. not just because of freedom, but because of the economy that has been built on those freedoms. Business innovation and hard work has made the U.S. economy the largest in the world. The U.S. is the largest economy in the world, and in 2016 it accounted for 24.5 percent of the global GDP (gross domestic product). China was second at 15 percent. Americans are able to work hard and to make a decent living. Theres an abundant food supply created by hard-working farmers, ranchers and those working in food processing and distribution. Theres also plentiful energy and this Fourth many in Central Nebraska have seen gas prices under $2 a gallon. Texas House and Senate lawmakers are considering identical bills, SB 6 and HB 2, that would change how and if people can be released from jail before their criminal cases are resolved. The bills also would ban the release of those accused of violent crimes unless they had enough cash, as well as restrict charitable groups ability to pay to get people out of jail, according to The Texas Tribune. While opponents say the bills would create an overreliance on cash thats unfair to people who are poor, supporters say reform is needed to keep violent and habitual offenders from being released on low-cash bonds. Is Texas in need of bail reform? You voted: Modjeska Simkins House Modjeska Monteith Simkins made a substantial impact on public health reform, social reform, and the civil rights movement in South Carolina, using her home as an office, meeting place, and lodging for civil rights associates. While serving as secretary of the South Carolina NAACP, she helped the state move towards racial equality. Simkins helped write the declaration for the school lawsuit that asked for the equalization of Clarendon County Black and white schools, which laid the foundation for the declaration later used in the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education. Charlies Place Charlie and Sarah Fitzgerald opened Charlies Place in 1937 and it became a bustling pillar of business and Black nightlife through the 1960s that provided Black laborers, professionals, and locals a safe space to enjoy themselves and was included in the 1953 Green Book Airline Edition. In August 1950, Charlies Place was targeted by members of the Ku Klux Klan, injuring numerous patrons and Mr. Fitzgerald. Thurgood Marshalls legal representation in the case resulted in the Klansmen being charged, however they were never prosecuted. All Star Bowling Lanes An outlier system Some lawmakers have called for a more streamlined system of accountability for the states judges. State Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican, is among those leading the charge for reform. He contends the oversight of lower court judges like magistrates should fall more in line with South Carolinas circuit judges, who handle all felony and major civil cases. Those judges are screened in public hearings before the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. As it stands, the Disciplinary Counsel is the only one in charge of policing magistrates and municipal judges, who also handle minor criminal offenses. Thats why its critical that when the disciplinary agency receives complaints about those judges, the agency takes the matters seriously and acts quickly, Davis said. The lack of responsiveness from (Disciplinary Counsel) or the tolerance for these things is indicative that still the magistrate system is looked at as being an outlier, Davis said. That's something that has to change." BARNWELL -- Author Ron Baxley, Jr., who lives in Barnwell, S.C., was recently announced as one of the adult winners of the 2021 Royal Historian of Oz Contest put on by the Oz-Stravaganza Festival of Chittenango, New York and had his Oz and fantasy books in the recently reopened All Things Oz Museum gift shop. He will be attending Creator Day (with other authors and artists) at Augusta Book Exchange on 1650 Gordon Hwy. in Augusta, Ga. on July 10. He will also will be a special guest author at the Michigan Oz Festival on Oct. 1-2, and has already been invited as a special guest author to Deland Comics and Collectibles Show January 16, 2022 in Deland, Florida. "For approximately a decade, I was a formally invited author in Authors and Artists Alley at the Oz-Stravaganza Festival in Chittenango, NY, birthplace of original Oz author L. Frank Baum, and attended," Ron Baxley Jr. "During that time, I never entered the Royal Historian of Oz contest because I thought it would be a conflict of interest. However, during the past two years, they have not held the live festival because of COVID-19 and could not, of course, invite me." COVID not only impacted the delivery of education, but it also impacted the overall health and safety of the public, with vaccination clinics serving as ways for the people to get inoculated in a timely fashion. The Orangeburg County Library staff was among those assisting in that effort, which included vaccination clinics at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds. We helped with registering people for their vaccines. At times we even helped direct traffic out there because you would have 400 to 1,000 people showing up in the beginning for their vaccine. ... We would help with bringing people from their vehicles. ... We had people out there that could not read and write that were adults, and we would fill out paperwork for them, OCL Circulation Supervisor Amy Ridgeway said. Unsung Hero Library Workers OCL Circulation Supervisor Amy Ridgeway Ridgeway said the staff enjoyed being a presence in the community beyond the library walls. We love our community, and want to serve our community, and this was just another way that we were able to do it. ... It allowed us to really connect again with our community because they werent allowed to come back in here. GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) A chance encounter at lunch a year and half ago gave Keith Morton a new mission, one he completed last Thursday. In 2019, Morton, a retired police chief from Fountain Inn, met with a friend for lunch at Rolling Green Village retirement community. There, he met Elbert Ebb Culp. We started talking, and I found out that Ebb was a World War II vet, Morton said. I asked him about his service and somehow the conversation drifted around to his medals that he earned serving in WWII. And he said he didnt know what happened to them, they were gone. So Morton set out to get them back. After almost two years of searching and planning, Morton helped arrange a small ceremony honoring Ebb at his retirement home last Thursday, alongside his family and friends. We dont know what happened to his original medals and although these are different medals, they represent a thank you and thats what I wanted that to be is to thank him for what he had done, Suzanne, Ebbs wife, said. The pair had only known each other for five months when they wed in 1957. Suzanne said she knew when she met Ebb that he was going to be her husband. This year, they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Until recently my wife and I paid over $2,000 a month for medical insurance. We each had a $6,000 deductible. One year we both had procedures, which meant we had $12,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. There were also some other uncovered medical costs throughout the year that resulted in over $40,000 in medical insurance and out-of-pocket costs. The procedures themselves of course cost far and above what our out-of-pocket expenses were. Most likely if we had not had health insurance, the doctors and medical facilities would not have performed them. In America, you have to have medical insurance or the means to cover the costs of your health care. For the average American, $40,000 in medical costs in one year means an eternity of debt. The prospects of such makes average Americans shy away from medical care they need. Unaffordable medical care is not an American dream. Honestly, for too many Americans, its a nightmare. A business owner recently told me, I pay for insurance for my employees but its barely enough insurance to meet the legal requirements for our business. Its terrible insurance. It pays for almost nothing and no one with our insurance would ever want to go to the hospital. Alexis de Tocqueville stressed a free press in America being tied directly to the political value of equality: But in the countries in which the doctrine of the sovereignty of the people ostensibly prevails, the censorship of the press is not only dangerous, but it is absurd. When the right of every citizen to cooperate in the government of society is acknowledged, every citizen must be presumed to (have access to the different viewpoints to come to truth). The sovereignty of the people and the liberty of the press may therefore be looked upon as correlative institutions; just as the censorship of the press and universal suffrage are two things which are irreconcilably opposed, and which cannot long be retained among the institutions of the same people. Theres no better way for us to do that than to pause during our celebrations and reflect on how great it is to be Americans. Weve got it good here in the United States. Weve got it so good that often we forget about the sacrifices which make America a reasonably safe place in a war-beaten world. Legionnaires want to help America keep the record straight. Legionnaires know that American freedom is a byproduct of American sacrifice. Legionnaires know that whenever it was time for America to step up, in a role of military leadership, our men and women in the armed forces answered the call. Legionnaires know that American-style freedom was not free. And never will be. We need to link American values to family values and teach our children to appreciate United States citizenship. The Fourth of July is a great time to do this. A love of God and country. An understanding of the historical role of Americas veterans. An appreciation for the flag and for the uniqueness of American-style freedom. These are among the values which are often missing from family Independence Day festivities. Without those values, the fireworks and picnics are mere celebrations of a day off of work. This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area. NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047. Some communities would balk at the idea of a company building an experimental power source on the edge of town. Glenrock is not one of them. Before the end of the year, developers of a new type of nuclear power plant will decide which of four Wyoming towns will house their project, and Glenrock wants to be selected. During a Wednesday meeting with the heads of TerraPower and Rocky Mountain Power, community leaders listened attentively to the companies pitch. Most were already on board with the project. A few safety questions did come up, but Glenrocks leaders wanted to focus the conversation on logistics not risk. The towns coal-fired power plant, Dave Johnston, is set to retire in 2027, taking 191 jobs with it. The Natrium reactor is scheduled to come online the following year, generating an estimated 250 permanent jobs. Its developers intend to establish training programs to help workers in the selected community transition from their current jobs at the coal plant to new roles at the nuclear facility. Glenrock is a town of just 2,600 people; Converse Countys entire population numbers fewer than 14,000. The communitys history is intertwined with that of the energy sector. Many see the nuclear plant not only as a natural transition, but a necessary one for their economic survival. We have a history of energy developments in our community, going way, way back, Glenrock councilwoman Margaret Nunn said during the meeting. One, we opened coal mines. Two, we built a power plant. Three, we mined out the coal and reclaimed the land. Four, we built a new wind farm where the coal mine once was. Five, our power plant has outlived its time. So what is number six in our energy history? In a sense, the two parties are equal partners in the arrangement. Each one is attempting to persuade the other that theyre worth the investment. But with many local leaders already convinced of the projects potential benefits, its the developers choice to make. What do we need to do, collectively, to ensure that the plant lands here? Converse County Commissioner Robert Short asked the executives. Their answer: Be enthusiastic. And get lucky. All four possible sites have already undergone preliminary evaluations and been deemed viable. The companies want to build the plant in a supportive community with demonstrated economic need criteria Glenrock meets. But just as important are business concerns like infrastructure and access to services, along with factors such as seismic activity, which can affect permitting eligibility. A decision is expected before the end of the year. Until then, the community can do little more than wait and hope. The other three towns in contention, Gillette, Kemmerer and Rock Springs, will do the same. A new energy era? In 1957, when the experimental Shippingport nuclear reactor was completed in Pennsylvania, the U.S. proved that water cooling technology was market-ready, leading to the construction of 100 water-cooled nuclear reactors nationwide and 400 around the world, said Chris Levesque, president and CEO of TerraPower. Levesque believes the Natrium reactor will similarly inspire a new generation of nuclear development. The TerraPower plant is distinguished from standard U.S. nuclear facilities in part by its cooling system: Instead of pressurized water, the core temperature will be maintained using liquid sodium the metal, not the salt. Because sodium has a much higher boiling point than water, it does not need to be pressurized to prevent it from vaporizing, reducing the plants need for the controlled systems used to keep cooling water in place and allowing it to rely more on natural forces like convection and gravity. We used a lot of supercomputing and advanced metallurgy to design it, Levesque said, but the plant itself is actually simpler than a lot of plants today. The reactor is also designed to operate more efficiently, producing one-third as much waste as existing nuclear plants. It will require less human intervention, including in the case of any malfunctions, a feature its developers say makes it much safer than water-cooled facilities. Its modular nature allows it to be built in sections, with additional generating capacity added later. But the projects energy storage system, which reserves generated energy in tanks of molten salt during times of low demand and releases that energy to the grid when demand rises, is what makes the TerraPower plant particularly distinctive. Dave Johnston has a capacity of 922 megawatts. The Natrium reactors capacity is lower, at 345 megawatts. But its energy storage system enables the facility to increase its output to 500 megawatts of power for more than five hours at a time. Because of its added storage capacity, the plant will be dispatchable, and therefore much more valuable to Rocky Mountain Power. Dispatchable resources are things like hydro plants, coal plants, natural gas plants, our geothermal plant places that that, if you see customer demand coming up throughout the day, you can call on a specific resource, and know that youll have the extra 100 megawatts that you need, when you need it, David Eskelsen, a spokesman for Rocky Mountain Power, said during an interview with the Star-Tribune. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are variable, not dispatchable, meaning theyre hard for utilities to rely on. Most nuclear plants are technically dispatchable, but take too long to activate to meet immediate demand. As the electric grid is powered increasingly by variable sources, dispatchable sources like battery storage will be required to supplement them. And as coal plants continue to go offline, the reactors developers who say theyd like to one day build reactors at all four sites hope it will help to fill the energy niche that is left behind. From the coal plant to a nuclear island By building the nuclear facility on the site of a retiring coal plant, developers will have access to an available workforce and cost-saving resources like current water permits and electric grid connections. We are able to leverage the existing technical infrastructure thats there, but also the expertise, said Tiffany Erickson, media relations manager for Rocky Mountain Power, in an interview with the Star-Tribune. Representatives of Rocky Mountain Power and TerraPower have repeatedly emphasized the companies plan to hire as many local workers as possible and provide training to those workers when necessary. The intent is to work with community colleges and [the University of Wyoming] on developing training and reskilling programs, Erickson said. While the reactor itself will be built according to strict nuclear regulations, the part of the plant that generates electricity will be constructed some distance away from the reactor, which its developers are calling the nuclear island. The portion producing electricity will face looser permitting requirements and, unlike the reactor, will operate similarly to generators in other types of power plants. Theres a lot of jobs in this nuclear island, and theyre very different, Gary Hoogeveen, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power, told the Glenrock community. Now, some of the people will be able to, if theyre interested, retrain and have those jobs. But the people that are mechanics, its the same low-pressure system that they were working on, and theyll have the ability to translate their expertise directly over. Natrona County Commissioner Dave North told the Star-Tribune that he expects the plant to provide good jobs and a constant power supply to Natrona County in addition to Converse County. I think its a positive all the way around, he said. An economic lifeline Aside from concerns raised by conservation groups like the Powder River Basin Resource Council, little opposition to the reactor has been expressed publicly. And though nuclear is always divisive, the projects appeal stretches across party lines potentially improving its chances as it navigates the short, seven-year development timeline set by the Department of Energy, which provided half its funding. The other half comes from private sources, including TerraPower founder Bill Gates. Levesque said Democrats favor the projects low carbon footprint, while Republicans see it as a source of energy security. The great thing about the program is theres something in it for everybody, he said. Converse County Chairman Jim Willox told the Star-Tribune that nearly all of his concerns were addressed during the meeting. For him, siting criteria are the sticking point. He hopes that by learning more about what the companies are looking for, he can help Converse County present itself as the most attractive location for construction. Willox said the broader Glenrock community seemed ready to welcome the nuclear plant. The people Ive visited with and its not a huge sampling, but the people Ive visited with are positive about it, he said. They have questions, but theyre positive. And they recognize the value of energy. The nuclear plant could save Glenrock from a fate like that of Jeffrey City, a uranium boomtown that collapsed along with the industry in the 1980s. Loss of the coal plant without construction of the reactor would not be a death sentence Lander, a former iron town, managed to diversify its economy after its mine shuttered but would spell a much harder recovery for the town. If we lose the power plant and its shut completely down, that would affect us a great deal. It trickles down all the way through the business community, in the schools, all of our special districts we would lose a lot when this power plant shuts down, Converse County Commissioner Tony Lehner said after the meeting. If we dont get this first one, then I hope to heck we get the next one, he said. Love 9 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. *** After hearing that specific questions wouldnt be answered on Tuesday night in the interest of time, many of the group that had assembled outside left the forum. Some of them had stood on the same deck outside Art 321 a week earlier while the board met in a closed-door executive session inside the gallery. When news of the Pride show backlash broke, most of them had connected with the woman in the purple shirt, Rachel Hawkinson, a former board member and volunteer coordinator who left the guild earlier this year. Hawkinson and seven others penned a six-page letter to media and Art 321 leadership, outlining their objections to the news and problems with the current regime. The letter accused Cessor of pushing a personal political agenda and shutting out members of the old board from big decisions like changing bylaws and plans to drop the Casper Artists Guild name. And while Cessor said none of the resignation letters hes received during his tenure cite anything but the desire to retire or move on, the letter stated members were forced out, intimidated and told not to come back. A divisive cloud hangs over this years celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At multigenerational gatherings, the topic of what it means to be a patriotic American likely will be left unspoken in order to safeguard friendships and family relationships. But without a shared notion of patriotism the bonds of civic life are torn apart. Why and how must we put America together again? Ask a seventh grader, as I did, what patriotism means. She will respond devotion to country, which happens to be the traditional definition of patriotism. Ask her what devotion to country involves. She will stumble around and, if she has had a conscientious teacher, she will explain that a patriot is someone who subscribes to the principles of liberty and justice for all set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Present-day conservative and progressives would agree with President Theodore Roosevelt that patriotism means to stand by the country, not to the president or any other public official. This American form of patriotism is unique among nations because it alone is based on loyalty to a set of universal principles not to an ideology, not to a ruling family, and not to a single person. Which is why the Jan. 6 insurrection was so shocking. As I walked I enjoyed the perfect temperature and the energy of the scooter riders as they whipped by me. Finally, I stopped at a small courtyard snuggled in between two tall buildings. There was artificial grass, black metal chairs and tables with umbrellas. I sat down, pulled out my book. I placed my phone and glasses on the table next to me and began reading. I sat there for a long time enjoying the sun on my feet. Set off the street a bit, it was quiet. Maybe 6 or 7 other people were in the courtyard. Needing to stretch, I leaned forward and almost immediately I heard a guy behind me yell loudly, Hey! Keep going, just keep going! As I turned around to look a young man was running away. I looked over my other shoulder to find the man who had shouted and with adrenaline raging said, That guy was about to steal your phone! He had moved your glasses and was grabbing your phone! My heart raced a bit and said, Oh my gosh! Thank you for having my back! And then I thought, my whole life is in that phone: all the phone numbers I have never learned, every picture Ive taken in the last 10 years, my calendar, my goals, my 1,000 Hallelujahs journal all of it! Plus, it cost an arm and a leg! (OK I do know about the Cloud and yes, I could probably figure out how to find my stuff again.) There are reasons why laws exist to require government to be transparent. For one, government is doing the publics business and should be accountable to voters. It is nourished with public money generated by the taxes that individuals and businesses pay. And it makes decisions, large and small, that affect real people. Theres another reason. Without rules backed up with penalties, some in government would be happy to do the publics work out of the public eye. They may prefer the lack of publicity and absence of questions. But transparency, as the saying goes, is the best disinfectant. It reduces the likelihood of waste, bloat or even corruption. When the public is looking, government is more likely to do the right thing. Recently, the communities of Mills and Bar Nunn have taken steps to make their governments less transparent. Both passed ordinances that they claim exempt them from state laws requiring municipalities to publish public notices in the newspaper on a variety of matters. Instead of publishing notices with a non-government entity, the towns are now posting them on their websites and in public places. Doing so, they say, is more efficient and less costly. (Newspapers like the Star-Tribune charge municipalities for space in their publications.) Now that I have had the time to research and think about the proposal for essentially an experimental Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming. Why can I say essentially, the last time such a reactor was built and ran in the United States was 1965-1969 in Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It was marked a success and shut down, and never used till now. But dont worry, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have our Wyoming residents' backs, right? Oh, and not to mention how Mark Gordon has pushed this forward without our input, whats that say? I dont know about you but I am very skeptical of the motives of these two individuals. The mere fact that our Governor has not allowed the people of this state to have the say whether we want an experiment in our backyard or not, either demonstrates his arrogance and gullibility, or points to something far more perfidious. So, I ask you Mark Gordon, which is it, your arrogance and gullibility, or is there more to this than you want us to know? Regardless, if you dont give this to Wyoming citizens to decide, then you have my opposition as well as lost my vote. People release them and you end up with floating kokanee, he added. If you catch your three-fish limit, keep them and quit fishing or fish for lake trout pups or rainbow trout. Similarly, if a river allows you to keep fish, catch your limit, put them in the cooler and head out, said Nick Walrath, Green River Project coordinator for Trout Unlimited. And remember to bring along a thermometer so you can check the temperature of the water if theres any question. Try somewhere else Just because the rivers are warm and lakes dangerous for salmonid fishing doesnt mean you have to stay home. High mountain streams are likely still cool enough to catch and release, Keith said. You can also think about fishing high mountain streams for fish like brook trout and keep your limit for a fish dinner or two. Or think about targeting other species, Walrath said. Head to places like Flaming Gorge and cast in the flats for carp. Theyre big and fight hard. Silver linings (if any can be found) COMPETITION regulator, the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is hosting stakeholder consultations this week on Agostinis Ltds proposed acquisition in the energy services sector. The acquisition involves Agostinis Ltd and its subsidiary Rosco Petroavance Ltd seeking to buy 100 per cent of Process Components Ltd, a company owned by directors of Laughlin & DeGannes. Both companies import and service equipment for the energy sector. If life is a stage, then veteran calypsonian Brother Valentino is determined to continue to give a performance for the ages. Valentino turned 80 on Wednesday. The venerable bard says he is well aware his set is now in extra time and is inspired to make full use of every encore. I feel great and I give thanks to the Most High because you are allowed three score and ten and now I am enjoying the extra time that has been given to me, the affable calypsonian told the Kitcharee during a chat this past week. A Princes Town man who allegedly threatened the lives of President Paula-Mae Weekes and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley by phone is to appear at the Princes Town Magistrates Court tomorrow. Vinu Dallsingh, 65, was charged with the offence of misuse of telephone facilities on July 9. On May 6, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Emergency 999 Command Centre, St James, received a call threatening the lives of the President and the Prime Minister, the Police Service said in a statement yesterday. EVEN as the world comes to terms with the need to live with the virus, it is also becoming clear that living with the Covid-19 virus is not as easy as one might think. The recruitment process for the appointment of the Commissioner of Police (CoP) upon the expiration in August of the three-year period of contract of the current office-holder, Gary Griffith, has been met with some level of disquiet. In this article, it is not the intention to comment on the suitability or lack thereof of the person eventually selected. DON'T MISS Fourth of July celebrations Last year, the pandemic kept most of us cooped up inside on Independence Day. So we can't blame you if you don't want to be anchored to the couch this weekend. Still, television offers some celebratory options and pyrotechnic displays look pretty cool in HD. The highlights include "Macys 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" (Sunday, NBC) boasting an impressive light show from New York City, along with performances by Black Pumas, Coldplay, OneRepublic, Reba McEntire and more. And then there's "A Capitol Fourth" (Sunday, PBS) Vanessa Williams hosts the special featuring fireworks from Washington, D.C., and performances from around the nation. The talent list includes Cynthia Erivo, Alan Jackson, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Nettles, Micky Guyton and others. Q: I was flying from Porto, Portugal, to Madrid on Iberia. The airline damaged my checked bag, a soft-sided upright bag, tearing a side corner out. I filed a claim for $129 in damages. I provided Iberia with a receipt for the luggage. Its been more than three months, but I havent heard anything from Iberia. Can you help me with my claim? Helene Rosenthal, Bedford, Massachusetts. A: Im sorry about your damaged luggage. Iberia should have taken better care of your personal belongings. And if it damaged your bag, it should have acknowledged the problem and fixed it promptly. It didnt. Airlines that toss your luggage around really annoy me. How hard can it be to treat your belongings with care? And thats particularly true if youre paying the airline a luggage fee to transport your stuff. Come on! Since you were flying within the EU, you were covered by EC 261, the European airline passenger rights regulation. Under EC 261, if your checked-in luggage is lost, damaged or delayed, the airline is liable. Youre entitled to compensation up to an amount of approximately 1,300 euros. But if an inherent defect caused the damage, then youre not entitled to any compensation. "I was just helping out with the business really anywhere kind of trying to be moldable and flexible on, see where they could use me," she says. Another of Puchi-Saavedras first six employees, William Elliott, was a close family friend prior to working at Earth's Healing. Elliott, now Earth Healings chief operating officer, had just graduated from college and moved to Hawaii with his sister when he received a call from Puchi-Saavedra. I was not really into cannabis yet at that point, Elliott says. I didnt know much about running a business either, but it seemed like a good opportunity. She (Puchi-Saavedra) said I took that leap of faith and its been a learning experience ever since. While Elliott said its been a long road for Earths Healing going from one dispensary location to two, opening a new location and expanding the brands reach and dealing with the recent recreational marijuana rollout its been a journey thats worth it. Although hes been the COO from day one, Elliott says the biggest challenge has been how the company has kept growing, while continuing to maintain the same standards of patient and customer service. And she noted that they only contacted her about the possible conflict after they had already sent the case out to another attorney. Still, some employees thought Conover lied when she told me the previous administration had not alerted her to the decision. Some of them, like Nassen and Flagg, told me they not only were open to Conover when she took office but had supported her in the election. Things blew up Another incident left a similar unease. Rick Unklesbay was the most prominent and perhaps most respected prosecutor left from the LaWall era when Conover took over in January. He also supported Conover and told me he had a sign for her campaign in his yard. He told me he had committed to staying six months and helping with the transition before retiring for good, after 40 years in the office. I stayed because I wanted them to succeed. I wanted them to have a smooth transition, he said. It was clear to me by the end of January that even though their message was they wanted me to help in transition, they had no interest in what I had to say. He told them he would retire in March. Things blew up at the end of February. Voccola said in an interview that only between 50-60 of the company's 37,000 customers were compromised. But 70% were managed service providers who use the company's hacked VSA software to manage multiple customers. It automates the installation of software and security updates and manages backups and other vital tasks. Experts say it was no coincidence that REvil launched the attack at the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, knowing U.S. offices would be lightly staffed. Many victims may not learn of it until they are back at work on Monday. Most end users of managed service providers have no idea" whose software keep their networks humming, said Voccola, Kaseya said it sent a detection tool to nearly 900 customers on Saturday night. The REvil offer to offer blanket decryption for all victims of the Kaseya attack in exchange for $70 million suggested its inability to cope with the sheer quantity of infected networks, said Allan Liska, an analyst with the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Although analysts reported seeing demands of $5 million and $500,000 for bigger targets, it was apparently demanding $45,000 for most. This attack is a lot bigger than they expected and it is getting a lot of attention. It is in REvils interest to end it quickly, said Liska. This is a nightmare to manage. The Canadian and U.S. governments arent expected to reevaluate the border closure until July 21. Commercial traffic has gone back and forth normally between the two countries since the start of the pandemic. Canadians are able to fly into the United States with a negative COVID-19 test and Americans can visit Canada to see relatives or close friends as outlined by a strict set of guidelines. But to do that, people entering Canada must quarantine for two weeks on arrival and the quarantine is enforced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that each month the border is closed costs $1.5 billion. Canadian officials say Canada had about 22 million foreign visitors in 2019 about 15 million of them from the United States. But there is a human angle to the closing that's missed in the economic figures. Since shortly after the border closed in March 2020, people from both countries traveled to Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec, to hold impromptu family reunions from their own side of the border on a residential street. While they can talk across the border, they can't touch and they can't pass things back and forth. OPINION: "To answer the question about Tucsons water, especially in my Ward and the South side: It is safe and we get our water from the CAP facility in Avra Valley," writes Richard Fimbres, who represents Ward 5 on the Tucson City Council. With the space for dissent shrinking, the online news platform Stand News said it would remove commentaries published on its site before June, stop its fundraising efforts and stop accepting new subscribers. With the handover 24 years ago, Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous territory, promised independent economic and legal status under a "one country, two systems" arrangement that led many in the city to expect more, not less democracy despite the Communist Party's lack of tolerance for dissent across the border in the Chinese mainland. Like millions of others who left the mainland seeking more opportunity in Hong Kong in past decades, 40-something Wang Wai says she migrated there because wages were "in the thousands but in China still in the hundreds." "The health care system, education and work to be found in Hong Kong is much better than in China," said Wang, who is married with two children. Ever since its days as a hub in Britain's trading of opium from India for silk, tea and porcelain from China, Hong Kong has mainly been about moneymaking. The city flourished in the years after the 1949 Communist Revolution, as industrialists from Shanghai relocated to the colony, bringing what they could of their salvaged fortunes. This has left tenants like Promise Bramlett scrambling to figure out what to do next. We are definitely moving because we are tired of all the drama, Bramlett said. Bramlett, who is expecting a baby in August, moved into a one-bedroom apartment at Vista Shadow Mountain in March. A month later, the sprinkler system in the apartment below her apartment broke, causing damage to her unit. So she moved to a studio apartment. They told us the end of July, early August, the new apartment would be ready, Bramlett said. We were more than happy to go ahead and wait it out and move just before the baby came. But Bramletts thinking changed last week when her studio apartment flooded during the heavy rains, and then came the second notice from the city that the complex had not paid its water bill. Not that the studio apartment was ever in great shape it came with a massive hole in the bathroom door. I feel like they are not trying to keep people here, Bramlett said. I feel like they are trying to get everyone out for renovations or whatever all of a sudden they called us and asked us if they wanted to break our lease because we were unhappy. The result is that the OMMA has issued almost 8,000 growers licenses far more than is needed to support the states legal medical marijuana market. We have so many grow operations, I dont know how the free market should have taken care of it. Thats the conversation we had in 2018: Let the free market take care of it. Well, the free market should have taken care of it but hasnt ... because of the black market. Youve got the cartel; youve got the Chinese drug ring; youve got the biker gangs. Pretty much every criminal organization is operating in the state of Oklahoma right now, West said. None of that is good for the legitimate growers, processors and retailers who are trying to follow the rules which is one reason some legislators are still trying to make the states medical marijuana laws work, even though there was and remains widespread opposition in state government to SQ 788. Fetgatter says he does not use cannabis products and opposed SQ 788 but that after it passed he decided to do his best to make the law work. To that end, he and several other lawmakers mostly in the House pushed through a number of changes last session to bolster compliance. That would have made Oklahomas national park roughly the size of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. And Tulsa, of course, would have been the nearest big city, a gateway for tourists. But the new site met the same opposition as the old one. Ranchers werent interested in selling the land. Oil producers didnt want to stop drilling. And the mere whisper of eminent domain sent a flood of protest letters to the states congressional delegation. Over time, as lawmakers tried to work out a compromise between conservationists and land owners, the plan grew less and less ambitious. Instead of a national park, Oklahoma would merely get a preserve. And the proposed size shrank to 78,000 acres, then to 57,000 acres. By 1987, when Sens. David Boren and Don Nickles joined U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards to sponsor a bill to finally create a preserve in Osage County, the legislation stipulated that it would cover no more than 50,000 acres, according to media reports at the time. Edwards withdrew his support after environmentalists demanded more restrictions on oil and gas production. And with that, Oklahoma lost its chance for a national prairie preserve. For as many challenges as 2020 brought to the agriculture industry, 2021 has proved to bring just as many opportunities. A few highlights thus far include the inception of the Cattlemens Congress, immense growth across Oklahoma for meat processors and multiple legislative achievements directly supporting our producers. Thanks to the commitment of our governor and the Legislature, Oklahomas nearly 130,000 producers and 77,2000 farms have seen incredible support from our state Capitol, including a cookout under a PETA billboard in the heart of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma was able to show that we were open for business and support our agriculturists when we hosted the 2021 Cattlemens Congress, the largest stock show in North America. This show brought in more than 2,700 exhibitors, over 9,600 head of cattle and $50 million. We look forward to hosting this event for years to come. The Legislature prioritized farmers and ranchers by passing bills such as House Bill 2364, which helped advance the Oklahoma Certified Beef Program and promote our local beef producers. Japan resumed rescue operations for 20 missing people early on Sunday after landslides triggered by torrential rains hit the central city of Atami, killing at least two, Kyodo news agency said. About 10 people were rescued after floods, landslides and cascading mud collapsed and half-submerged houses on Saturday in the seaside city 90 km (60 miles) southwest of Tokyo, Kyodo said, adding about 80 buildings were affected. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who convened an emergency task force to tackle the crisis, on Saturday asked people in the affected areas to remain on alert. The floods are a reminder of the natural disasters - including earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami - that plague Japan, where the capital Tokyo is to host the summer Olympics starting this month. Suga and cabinet ministers were to discuss the disaster at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT), Kyodo said. Some 700 people from the Shizuoka prefectural police, firefighters and Japan's military resumed their search and rescue efforts after dawn, Kyodo said. In the affected area where intermittent rain continued, about 387 people have been evacuated as of Sunday morning, the news agency said. A damaged bus and debris of the houses are seen at a mudslide site following heavy rain at Izusan district in Atami, Japan July 3, 2021. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters Firefighters conduct search and rescue operation at a mudslide site caused by heavy rain at Izusan district in Atami, west of Tokyo, Japan July 4, 2021. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters Police officers conduct search and rescue operation at a mudslide site caused by heavy rain at Izusan district in Atami, west of Tokyo, Japan July 4, 2021. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters A company in Ho Chi Minh City has been required to stop operating after 91 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected by rapid tests. The suspected cases were reported on Friday night after health workers conducted rapid COVID-19 tests on over 3,000 workers at Nidec Sankyo Company, located at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Thu Duc City. One employee of the company previously tested positive for the novel coronavirus during a health check at a local hospital on June 28. As of Saturday morning, all 91 suspected cases had been brought to a concentrated quarantine facility to undergo real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for confirmatory results, according to a representative from the Thu Duc City medical center. The management board of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park has required Nidec Sankyo Company to cease all operations from 5:00 pm on Saturday to the end of Monday. In the meantime, the firms leaders have to review and evaluate COVID-19 prevention and control measures as well as production safety at the facility. Vietnam has documented 19,310 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday morning, with 7,643 recoveries and 84 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health's statistics. The country has recorded 15,842 local infections in 52 provinces and cities since the fourth transmission wave began on April 27. Ho Chi Minh City has so far detected 5,652 cases in this bout. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: COVID-19 Updates -- Vietnams Ministry of Health reported 267 domestic COVID-19 cases on Sunday morning, of which 217 were in Ho Chi Minh City, raising the national tally to 19,310, with 7,643 recoveries and 84 deaths. -- An apartment complex with more than 2,100 residents in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City has been locked down from Saturday afternoon following the detection of a COVID-19 case. -- Military officers fumigated 55 streets across the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang with about 750,000 liters of Chloramine B on Saturday as part of the provinces measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. -- A 41-year-old woman who resides in a locked-down area in Ho Chi Minh City has tested positive for the novel coronavirus after being admitted to a hospital for burn treatment. -- Nidec Sankyo, located at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, was required to cease operations for over two days from Saturday evening after 91 suspected coronavirus cases were detected at the venue. Society -- More than 3,000 people were killed in traffic accidents across Vietnam in January-June, the traffic police division under the Ministry of Public Security reported on Saturday. -- A 19-year-old girl was killed after being hit in the head by a falling rock while bathing at a waterfall in the central province of Quang Nam on Saturday afternoon. -- Police in the southern province of Binh Phuoc have arrested and initiated legal proceedings against a 54-year-old man for helping 11 people migrate illegally from Vietnam to Cambodia. Business -- Foreign investors poured US$15.27 billion worth of investment into Vietnam in January-June, equivalent to 97.4 percent of the amount recorded in the same period last year, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A student from Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam was killed by a falling rock during a trip to a local waterfall with her family and friends on Saturday. The incident took place at Grang Waterfall in Ta Bhing Ward, Nam Giang District, Quang Nam Province, Ta Bhing Ward Peoples Committee confirmed on Saturday evening. The victim was identified to be T.N.T.L., 19, from Ta Bhing Ward, who visited the Grang Waterfall at midday on Saturday with her family and friends. L. was concussed by a falling rock from the cascade while swimming in the water. With a bleeding wound on the head, she was promptly hospitalized, but did not make it through. L. was a first-year student at a university in central Thua Thien-Hue province, and was enjoying a summer break with her family in Quang Nam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City have filed charges of child sexual abuse against V.T.T., 21, from An Giang Province, after a minor victim who lives in the city came forward to testify. According to preliminary inspection, T. first approached the victim, 14-year-old L.P.H.M. from Tan Phu District, in February 2020. He managed to lure T. out to meet in person, picked her up at her house around 1:00 pm March 10, 2020, and molested her on the rooftop of an apartment building nearby. T. then brought the girl to his rented room in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City and went on to sexually abuse her multiple times there. On March 14, M.s father C. caught wind of the situation and asked T. to bring her daughter home via Facebook Messenger. He later reported T. to police after finding out that M. was using birth control pills. Nabbed by police officers, the suspect admitted his crime of child sexual abuse. M. claimed to have been coaxed into sex acts by a man named An Binh on Facebook, while another man using the Facebook account Quang Duong also lured her out for sexual assault multiple times. Investigators are working with the Ministry of Information and Communications to identify these two men. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A woman tested positive for the novel coronavirus after being admitted to a hospital for burn treatment in Ho Chi Minh City last month. She is being treated for both COVID-19 and burns at Trung Vuong COVID-19 Treatment Hospital, Dinh Phuong Dong, a senior doctor at the infirmary, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday. The 41-year-old woman, who resides in a locked-down neighborhood in Binh Tan District, was admitted to City International Hospital (CIH) on June 22 after she got burned by boiling water. The result of her rapid coronavirus test at the infirmary came back positive. A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test also showed the same result later the same day. The patient was transferred to Trung Vuong COVID-19 Treatment Hospital on June 24. Treating burns in a patient with COVID-19 is quite difficult as doctors have to wear protective clothing when they come into contact with her, Dr. Dong stated. However, her wound is improving while her respiratory symptoms have also become milder, he added. Trung Vuong Hospital, located in District 10, was turned into a hospital for COVID-19 treatment on June 17. The infirmary currently has 400 health workers, of whom 200 are providing direct care for COVID-19 patients, according to Le Thanh Chien, the hospital director. The health workers are required to stay at a designated hotel after work, Chien added. The facility has 1,000 beds, including 100 resuscitation beds, and is in charge of treating COVID-19 patients with other health conditions that require specialized treatment techniques. Vietnam has documented 19,570 coronavirus cases as of Sunday afternoon, with 7,643 recoveries and 86 deaths. The country has recorded 16,096 local infections in 53 provinces and cities since a fresh outbreak began on April 27. Ho Chi Minh City leads the table in this bout with 5,865 cases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! With lockdowns around the country, News and current affairs programmes all saw a lift last week. Seven News, Nine News, ABC News, 10 News First & SBS World News were all up last week. So were A Current Affair, 7:30 and The Project. It was the same for breakfast and morning TV as govt press conferences drew viewers to their screens. But it was State of Origin II that helped Nine win the week. Network: Nine: 30.2 Seven: 28.9 10: 17.0 ABC: 15.6 SBS: 8.4 Primary channel: Nine: 21.5 Seven: 19.2 ABC: 10.9 10: 10.4 Multichannels: 7mate: 4.0 7TWO: 3.6 10 BOLD: 3.4 9GEM: 3.3 9GO!: 2.6 10 Peach: 2.5 ABC News: 2.2 7flix / ABC Kids TV Plus: 2.1 9Life: 1.7 SBS VICELAND: 1.3 9RUSH: 1.1 SBS Food: 0.8 SBS World Movies: 0.7 10 Shake: 0.6 ABC ME: 0.5 NITV: 0.2 Nine led the demos 16 39 and 25 54. Seven won Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Nine led on Sunday, Monday & Wednesday. ABC bettered 10 on Friday and both tied for Saturday. Seven led Melbourne, Brisbane & Adelaide. Nine claimed victory in Sydney & Brissy. Best brands last week were: Nine: State of Origin (1.86m), Nine News (Sun: 1.16m), A Current Affair (750,000) and Australian Ninja Warrior (Wed: 614,000). Seven: Seven News (Sun: 1.2m), Big Brother (Winner announced: 790,000), The Chase (627,000) and Home & Away (615,000). 10: Have You Been Paying Attention? (659,000), MasterChef Australia (Mon: 640,000), The Sunday Project (480,000) and 10 News First (442,000). ABC: ABC News (755,000), 7:30 (638,000), Vera (510,000) and Anhs Brush with Fame (503,000). SBS: Who Do You Think You Are? (305,000), Tour de France (179,000), SBS World News (176,000) and Britains Cathedrals with Tony Robinson (164,000). Infograph supplied by Nine: Amended. EXCLUSIVE: SBS game show Letters & Numbers is on the comeback trail. TV Tonight understands SBS is planning a reboot of game show which ran from 2010 2012 with ITV Studios Australia. Comedian Michael Hing, best known as host of Where Are You Really From? will host the new version, tipped for Saturday nights. Hing is also known from The Feed, Good Game Pocket and acting in The Other Guy. He co-hosts Free to a Good Home podcast with Ben Jenkins, appears on triple J and recently performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Based on UK format Countdown and French show Des chiffres et des lettres, the series was hosted by Richard Morecroft with with word-wiz David Astle and mathematician Lily Serna. It ran for 450 episodes, with contestants showing skills in both arithmetic and lexicon skills. It was axed rating 130,000 and replaced with the UK version, presumably as a cost cutting measure, but drawing an outcry on social media. Since then endless repeats continue to draw a loyal following in a late arvo timeslot, at around 90,000 viewers. It isnt clear if fan favourites Lily Serna (who became something of a TV cult figure) and David Astle are to be involved in the new edition. An SBS spokesperson said, Letters and Numbers has always been a hit with SBS audiences, and the iconic game show has been entertaining our viewers for years. Though we cant confirm anything just yet, we may have some exciting news to share soon. In the meantime, viewers can catch up at SBS On Demand. ... at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11) Russia has said a British warship it accused of illegally entering its waters carried out the kind of provocation that will elicit a tough response, the RIA news agency cited the Kremlin as saying. Russia summoned the British ambassador in Moscow for a formal diplomatic rebuke after HMS Defender breached what the Kremlin says are its territorial waters near Crimea. Britain and most of the world say the waters belong to the Ukraine. Moscow said the British vessel had illegally entered its territorial waters last month and accused London of a "provocation". The Russian Defence Ministry released footage it said showed HMS Defender being "chased out of Crimea waters" by military aircraft and vessels. Britain had dismissed Moscow's claims that warning shots were fired at the Royal Navy destroyer and that bombs were dropped in the warship's path. The Russian Defence Ministry said a border patrol boat fired the shots at HMS Defender. Russia has said it could bomb British naval vessels if there are more such actions by the Royal Navy off Crimea. It comes as Russian warplanes practised bombing enemy ships in the Black Sea during training exercises on Saturday. Russia was quoted by the RIA news agency as saying: "Aircraft crews ... conducted training flights over the Black Sea, practicing missile and bombing strikes against simulated enemy ships." Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker The drills involved aircraft including Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-purpose fighters, Sukhoi Su-24M bombers, Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets, the report said. NATO, Ukraine and allies are also conducting large-scale Sea Breeze drills in the region. Those drills are set to last two weeks and involve about 5,000 military personnel from NATO and other allies, and around 30 ships and 40 aircraft, with U.S. missile destroyer USS Ross and the U.S. Marine Corps taking part. Moscow had called for the exercise to be cancelled and the Russian defence ministry has said it will react to safeguard national security if necessary. partypoker & McLaren "Share a Lot in Common" Says Managing Director Paris Anatolitis July 04 2021 Will Shillibier It is now over a month since partypoker and PartyCasino entered a multiyear partnership with McLaren Racing Formula 1 Team. The PartyCasino logo first appeared on McLaren's cars at the Monaco Grand Prix, and Party branding remains visible on the protective halos of both McLaren MCL35M cars ahead of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. Party and McLaren's "Journey of Transformation" "McLaren are a global sporting icon" Paris Anatolitis, Managing Director of Party Brands, says the partnership provides the opportunity to reach new audiences alongside the McLaren brand. "I have always been inspired by McLaren, the story behind the brand, its attention to detail and its drive to continuously push the boundaries. McLaren are a global sporting icon, so to see us as part of their team, on a unique livery, flying around the legendary Monaco street circuits sent shivers down the spine. "The partnership gives us an amazing opportunity to take the Party brands to a new audience of customers in regulated markets around the globe. It really is an incredible platform to enable us to connect with customers new and old, and communicate the unique excitement of the Party offer." Anatolitis himself is a Formula 1 fan, having followed the sport since childhood. "In Formula 1, it's not only about the performance and how the cars have developed over the years, but also the strategy behind the race, the tactics that are deployed and the decisions that are made to take advantage of given situations during a race. Anatolitis says that both McLaren and Party are on a "journey of transformation", and that a partnership would benefit all involved. "When the proposal was presented to us, we immediately saw the synergies between our brands. From our business perspective to target new audiences and build products & experiences that delight our customers. For McLaren to focus on expanding their fan base through opening up the world of Formula 1 as well as continue to advance their technology to bring them back to the podium. "This showed us there was a huge potential to create a long-term partnership that would benefit all parties. I have met Zak Brown, the Chief Executive Officer for McLaren Racing, a few times, so we immediately connected to ensure we could move on this opportunity quickly. " Safety of Paramount Importance For All Involved The big question is why would a company like Party partner with a Formula 1 team like McLaren? For Anatolitis the answer is simple. "We share a lot in common, despite being in different fields. There is this absolute drive to succeed in everything we do. We are both technology businesses at heart who are continuously looking to innovate to develop a compelling end product. We do that to excite our customers, and they do it to excite their fans! "But perhaps most importantly, we both want to offer an exhilarating and entertaining product, while remaining aware of the importance of doing so in an environment where safety is at the forefront." This weekend the 'PartyResponsibly' message will again appear on the McLaren car at the Austrian Grand Prix, with driver Daniel Ricciardo playing a key role in sending the message of responsible gambling. Read More: Formula 1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo in partypoker Responsible Gambling Video "We were delighted to get Daniel Ricciardos insight into the importance of maintaining control in our Time to Pit film which we launched on the new hub. From what weve heard he has the makings of a very strong poker player." Just how good players will have to wait and see, with an exclusive tournament coming up where players will be able to battle against Ricciardo. "It will be a unique experience for our players to go up against him," says Anatolitis. "This will also allow some of our partypoker and PartyCasino customers to live money cannot buy experiences, through this partnership. "Of course we are also really excited to be supporting McLaren to cheer them on to even greater success on the track. As the partnership matures, we are planning to roll out a number of activation initiatives that we think our customers will love." Future Plans The multiyear deal is only a month old, and Anatolitis says the feedback from customers is already "very encouraging." However, there is a lot of work going in behind the scenes on future aspects of the partnership that Anatolitis says players will be able to take advantage of very soon. "There is lots more in the pipeline which we cant wait to share with the world" "The feedback from a lot of our customers has been very encouraging too. "Weve been hard at work with the McLaren team on developing and launching our sponsorship platform ACCESS where we will be opening the doors to the world of Formula 1 and McLaren. We are in the process of creating a lot of new content. The Party Responsibly website and content was the first output, but there is lots more in the pipeline which we cant wait to share with the world" Vietnam aims to have 1,704 industrial clusters by 2025, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien made the statement during an online meeting about managing and developing industrial clusters on July 2. In 2020, Vietnam had 968 industrial clusters, covering 30,912ha. Of which, the infrastructure of 450 clusters was invested in by private firms. As of now, the authorities have approved technical infrastructure projects at 955 clusters that cover 29,782ha and have a total investment of VND115trn (USD4.9bn). According to the industrial cluster development plan for 2025, Vietnam will have 1,704 clusters, covering 58,123ha. 250 clusters will be in northern mountainous areas, 515 clusters will be in the Red River Delta, 457 clusters will be in the central coast, 77 clusters will be in the Central Highlands, 146 clusters will be in the southeastern region and 259 clusters will be in the southwestern region. Dien asked local authorities to quickly draft a development plan for their area and propose policies to attract investors. They must also have detailed rules to manage cluster operations. He also urged for administrative reform, increase inspections and help firms deal with difficulties. Source: dtinews No sooner had the appropriation of billions of Vietnamese dong been discovered than the fraudsters suddenly disclosed their swindles, which were quickly done thanks to the trust and affection they easily gained from the victims. Li Rui's admissions made the victim give in to the scam. The sweet confession scam N.M.Y. (24 years old, living in Tien Giang province) remains distraught following a Tinder fraud causing a massive loss of over 1 billion VND. The scammer named Li Rui recently messaged M.Y. I was initially flabbergasted. But now that many others have shared the same story as mine, I can say for certain that this is the new script of these scammers. They even locked and deleted their accounts upon receiving confronting texts from their prey," M.Y. said. "Li Rui admitted he aimed at getting my money. From the first interactions with me on Tinder, he told me that he used to work in a company which later went bankrupt and was bought by another corporation. The new owner forced Li Rui to work to pay off the debt before he could leave the company. To get money fast, the romance scam sprang to his mind. M.Y. added. Mason, another super fraudster admitted to defrauding the victim and benefiting from 5% of the money he made from scamming girls. Li Rui said that if he didn't get any money on a daily basis, he would starve and be beaten by the company. These guys even put the blame on themselves as a form of punishment to evoke compassion using words like 'I am ashamed to have deceived you', using your money to pay off debt'; 'if you are not deceived by me, you will also be deceived by others who will hurt you more'; 'I need money to pay off my debt and will pay you back later on' These admissions were compelling to the victims. What these scammers have in common is showing that they did not do this of their own accord but only as forced to, then they apologize." "Some of them even advised victims against paying money or investing if they encounter similar cases in the future. They then in no time recalled or deleted these messages for fear that they would get into hot water if discovered by the owner said Ms. L.N.K.T. (29 years old, living in Hanoi), another victim of the scam. I was left mystified a few days ago, not knowing whether to believe him or not, as I had developed a soft spot for him and his words seemed so truthful. I was downhearted and felt awkward. However, it is high time that I become disenchanted and work with other victims to find a way to expose the tricks of these bad guys, " M.Y. said. Declaring war on scammers These are some of the conspicuous Tinder accounts identified by many women. Many others are also victims of these romance scams. They have gathered and formed a secret group to collect documents and evidence with the aim of uncovering the swindlers. Currently, many women are talked into tying up their money?? to certain exchanges, front page? or different investment sites whose clever tricks are many, according to M.Y. While some fraudsters might fail in their mission in the very first moves, many others can simultaneously trick 3-4 victims into investing in an exchange. Specifically, five out of the eight victims on Ausforex-x.com (currently inaccessible) that I know of, were also lured by Li Rui, M.Y. continued. T.N.P.N. (27 years old, living in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), the administrator of the Ausforex-x.com victim group, which was formed after the incidents, shared that most of the scams have so far been figured out thanks to the consensus amongst the members. After matching on Tinder, Xavier immediately seduced a girl to go on Zalo for a chat in which he instigated his fraudulent scheme. For access to super cheaters disguised as handsome men, P.N. consented to create a Tinder account with a profile of a beautiful, young woman who has a job that brings in a handsome salary, which appears captivating to scammers. Only a few minutes in, an account named Hanjie 31 invited PN to download the Binance app for virtual currency trading while boasting about a 4,900 USD profit from his work to seduce. He added that it could be up to 1,000 USD at the moment of the chat and constantly urged the prey to invest with training and guide guarantee. As shared by P.N, these men only have to converse with them and evaluate the potential of each person, and come up with a flexible scheme. They will initially let you win and withdraw the first few times, until the amount they deposit is huge enough around over several thousand USD Withdrawal then is not allowed which occasions a common regret at such a large fund, and the victims will therefore continue to pour money into it according to their instructions. Conversely, if you do not seem moneyed or show little fondness of investment, they will freeze your account the moment you pay," P. N said. Nguyen Son Around 13km from the downtown of Hanoi, the lotus pond at lane 234, Ngo Xuan Quang Street, Gia Lam District, has entered the full bloom season of lotus flowers. As a rising "check-in" place in Hanoi, the 7.5-hectare pond is considered a lotus paradise as it houses nearly 200 precious varieties of lotuses from around the world. Thousands of lotus flowers come into full bloom every morning, spreading a fragrant aroma in the atmosphere. The lotus pond was cultivated two years ago, housing many precious types of lotuses from various localities in Vietnam, including those from Dong Thap, Cu Chi, and Hue. There are also imported lotus species from China and other Asian counties as well as new lotus varieties created from breeding methods. Prominent among the lotus varieties are Drop Blood Tender Girl and Pink Diamonds Lotus, which is also known as the pink diamond lotus. La Tien Hiep, manager of the lotus pond, has nearly 10 years of research on lotus species. Tender Girl Lotus variety is popular in China, but it is difficult for it to survive in the hot and humid climate of Vietnams northern region. Thanks to years of effort, Hiep has produced a new variety with better weather resistance. The pink diamond lotus is a very rare lotus variety in Vietnam as well as in the world. Its scent is very strong and long lasting. The site also welcomes visitors for photo shoots. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors to the site must follow the Ministry of Healths 5K message and book beforehand to avoid big gathering in public. The lotus season usually starts from the end of May until the beginning of September. Every day, this lotus pond yields from 800 to 1,000 lotus flowers of all kinds, which are on sale across Hanoi. Each lotus bunch is sold from VND150,000 to VND200,000 depending on the type of lotus. Source: Nhan Dan They soon realized they had a potential book on their hands. Three days later, they had a book deal. Months later, they wondered if they had bitten off more than they could chew. We thought itd be a book-like essay, maybe 6 to 9 months to research and write, Burrough said. The writers ended up pushing their deadline for the manuscript, with Tomlinson and Stanford juggling interviews and writing with full-time jobs while Burrough blocked out days for nothing but writing on the book. Forget The Alamo is as much historiography the history of how the story of the Alamo and the Texas Revolt evolved over time as history. Burrough readily said it builds on the considerable work of historians over the last three decades, who have broadened the story by looking at the part slavery played in the settlement and eventual independence of Mexicos northern state of Tejas, period accounts of the battle by Mexicans and the role that Tejanos such as Lorenzo de Zavala and Juan Seguin played in the Texas Revolt, a role subsequently erased by a predominantly Anglo government and histories. As the authors note in their book, The truth is, the Alamo has always meant different things to different groups. Only in recent years have these other voices, long ignored, begun to be heard. EVANSDALE Rural towns in Black Hawk County are gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors for RAGBRAI later this month. Its the first public event in two years in many cities after festivals and businesses were forced to close during the pandemic in 2020. Jesup Mayor Chris Even said the traffic will be a boost for the citys economy. For the past year, many of our local businesses have struggled through forced closures and changes in consumer patterns as a result of the pandemic, Even said. Restaurants, vendors and residents of Evansdale, Jesup and several other Black Hawk County cities are preparing to welcome the riders and showcase their towns. On July 28, RAGBRAI riders are scheduled to wake up in Iowa Falls and travel to Waterloo for the rides fifth overnight stop. The route crosses Butler County through Aplington, Parkersburg and New Hartford, then travels into Black Hawk County through Finchford and Janesville before heading south to Waterloo. A Prince tribute band from Minneapolis and several local bands will perform on two different stages in downtown Waterloo that night as part of the festivities. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Digging into the Palace of the Governors is like diving down a rabbit hole in a marriage of history and archaeology. So say archaeologists and guest curators Cordelia Snow and Stephen Post. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The pair excavated the Palace in 1974 and 2002, respectively. Today, they are helming Palace Seen and Unseen: A Convergence of History and Archaeology at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe. The exhibition draws from historic documents, photographs, and architectural and archaeological studies to weave the story of the Palace, both visible and invisible. Todays 260-foot-long building is the shadow of the original 350-foot frame that existed before 1867, Post said. Its 400 years of existence have witnessed the breadth of human endeavors. Those struggles included the installation of Spanish Governor of Northern New Spain Pedro de Peralta and the Native-led expulsion during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The site also embraced the areas short-lived identity as part of Mexico from 1821-46, later serving as the home and workplace of territorial governors until the early 20th century. The Palaces adobe structure offers a unique lens on history through the words, images and objects of its many residents. All the archaeological objects chosen were excavated from the Palace floors or the former Armory grounds. Archaeologist Jesse Nusbaum was the first to dig into the Palace when it was being renovated as a museum from 1909-13. Nusbaum discovered a carved corbel and post dating to the Spanish Colonial period embedded in the north wall. It became the model for the renovation of the Palaces front portal. Snow dug beneath the 17th century foundations from 1974-75. I found pre-Revolt foundations of buildings that no longer existed, Snow said. We had storage pits and other examples of occupation during the Pueblo Revolt. Snow also discovered post holes and foundations from the re-occupation after 1693-94. She exposed four rooms built by the pueblo people. At one point, the Native occupants created a warren of smaller rooms that had enough space for up to 1,000 people. We had no idea prior to the excavation that was beneath the wood floors of the Palace, Snow added. The reconquest of Don Diego de Vargas in 1693 transformed the Palace into the site of the first Spanish presidio (fortification) in New Mexico. He captured and enslaved its Native residents. Eighteenth century legal documents of multiple thefts flesh out more of the story, Post said. Thieves regularly robbed the Palace storerooms of food, blankets and other supplies. Documents from 1715 describe a second story. The 2002 excavation found the foundations. And we think of it as this large, linear building, Snow added. Archaeologists also discovered fragments of Spanish pottery and Chinese porcelain, coins and local ceramics. We have bone awls and arrow points, and parts of ceramic vessels from the Pueblo Revolt time, Snow said. There was also a Mexican bell fragment, likely from the military chapel. We integrate the bronze bell into the story by thinking how the pueblo men were learning metallurgy from the Spanish, Post added. One of the myths is that the pueblo people destroyed all things Spanish and returned to their pueblo ways. We know they used metal materials. They had learned all the fine points of metallurgy and absorbed them into their culture. The pueblo people used that knowledge to make lances, arrow points and cultivating tools. The 1909-13 renovation into a museum was designed to glorify and memorialize the Spanish. They wanted to erase the military and the territorial past, Post explained. Snow found a galoon a decorative metal braid found on military uniforms. I use the analogy of Alice in Wonderland, she said. When I started excavating in January 1974, we had no idea what we would encounter. All of a sudden, we were in the midst of the Pueblo Revolt. Within a few centimeters, we were in 17th century New Mexico. We thought that much of the early Palace had been destroyed. If you go WHAT: Palace Seen and Unseen: A Convergence of History and Archaeology WHERE: New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Ave., Santa Fe WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a..m to 5 p.m. Saturday HOW MUCH: $7 New Mexico residents; $12 non-residents; state residents free 5-7 p.m. Fridays and first Sunday of the month; seniors 60+ free on Wednesdays. Children 16 and under free at (505) 476-5200, nmhistorymuseum.org. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal New Mexicos new recreational marijuana law that went into effect last week recognizes that the War on Drugs has left casualties in its wake, with minorities being disproportionately prosecuted for such crimes as marijuana possession. The legislation attempts to right some of those wrongs by having the criminal record of anyone previously arrested or convicted of a cannabis crime that is now legal automatically expunged. But how this automatic system is supposed to work has district attorneys and some government officials confused and frustrated over the lack of guidance from the Legislature. Part of the law requires district attorney offices to review individual cases and determine whether to challenge the expungement. However, district attorneys complain that they arent getting any increased funding or staffing to handle this workload. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ DAs dilemma First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who is also a member of the New Mexico Cannabis Regularity Advisory Committee for the New Mexico District Attorney Association, said what DAs have been tasked to do is a pretty hefty undertaking. She said shes instructed her office to assist anyone who reaches out to have cannabis crimes removed from their public criminal record under the new law. Im totally pro-legalization, so if weve got to work a few extra nights to help people get it off their record its worth it, she said. Prosecutors have until July 1, 2022, to review all cases eligible for expungement and determine if they want to challenge the dismissal, expungement or redesignation of that case, according to the law. Under the new law, expungement is supposed to be automatic, meaning its supposed to just sort of magically disappear, Carmack-Altwies said. She said her office is going to do its best to make that happen, but if people are interested in expungement, its probably in their best interest to reach out to the office. Whats really kind of unclear to me about the legislation it just says automatic but we dont have any system in place that just automatically does something, she said. This means filing paperwork, which takes personnel and additional work. Carmack-Altwies said that, fortunately, in her district, possession of marijuana wasnt a crime that was heavily prosecuted, especially after the city of Santa Fe decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis and made it a low law enforcement priority. The process shouldnt increase the work volume by a significant amount, she said, but the office is still dealing with a huge backlog from the pandemic. Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Rowley Reeb said lawmakers didnt look at who would be doing the expungements when they wrote the law. She said she thinks the term automatic expungement is still unclear. Every case will need review because a misdemeanor marijuana charge might be attached to a case with two or three felonies. Ultimately, it all comes back to her office to review the thousands of cases, she said. Its going to be very burdensome and costly, she said. To review all the cases by the July 1, 2022, deadline, Reeb said her office would need to hire outside people. She said she anticipates having to approach lawmakers for funding during the next legislative session. Dianna Luce, Fifth Judicial District Attorney and president of the New Mexico District Attorneys Association, said cannabis legalization and expungement will create a lot of work for district attorneys offices statewide. Obviously, it will mean a review by the prosecutors the statute just says we have to object the reality is were going to have to review and see what is the charge, she said. She said expunging convictions in criminal cases wasnt clearly contemplated because it involves a jury verdict, judicial decision from a bench trial or plea agreement. For these cases, theres going to be multiple documents that must be redacted or amended. Rules and procedures The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts is supposed to come up with the procedures on how to facilitate the expungements by December 31, 2021. The Judiciary is developing procedures to carry out its responsibilities under the new state law providing for the automatic expungement of arrest and conviction records of cannabis-related offenses, Barry Massey, spokesman from the administrative office, said via email. The Chief Justice has asked the Rules of Civil Procedure for State Courts Committee to draft a single set of proposed rules to implement provisions of the Criminal Records Expungement Act. The New Mexico Department of Public Safety must partner with the Administrative Office of the Courts to identify the individuals who need their records expunged, according to the law. The Department of Public Safety has until Jan. 1, 2022, to identify these records. Regina Chacon, bureau chief of the Law Enforcement Records Bureau, said the department has identified about 155,000 instances of arrest or conviction that may be eligible for expungement or dismissal. Public Safety was able to use its criminal justice system repository to identify these records. This system contains records that date back to the 1950s and 1960s. The department shared these records with the Administrative Office of the Courts to reconcile the data with the judicial information systems. It plans on sharing this information with prosecutors, the New Mexico Department of Corrections and defense attorneys by the Jan. 1, 2022, deadline. However, we have had to pull resources from other areas and from other units in the Bureau to assist with this project, Chacon said. The Legislature has allocated the Administrative Office of the Courts only $500,000 to come up with the rules for this new law. No other departments involved with the automatic expungement have received any funding. Legislative review Despite its challenges, expungement remains an essential part of correcting injustices against those arrested or convicted for something that is no longer illegal, state Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, said. Cannabis criminal records can make it harder for people to get a job, find housing, qualify for federal aid and more. She said the reason for automatic expungement is the Legislature didnt want people to be additionally burdened by having to get those crimes off their record. Lawmakers didnt want people to have to hire a lawyer, or those intimidated by the process not to get the benefit of an expungement, she said. We tried to make sure that we were building in timelines that would allow for all stakeholders to have a meaningful opportunity to take a look at these cases as they come up and respond to them, but didnt stretch it out, she said of the deadlines. Duhigg said district attorneys provide appropriate oversight in the expungement process and double-check expungement cases. Most people arent sitting in jail or prison only for cannabis convictions, she said. Its usually cannabis and something else. This means the law would reduce their sentence, but doesnt equate to their release. Eric Harrison, New Mexico Department of Corrections spokesman, said there are about 100 people a combination of inmates, and people on probation and parole whose sentences would be affected under the legalization. However, no one is currently incarcerated solely for a marijuana possession charge that would result in release, he said. The legislature will likely have to work out some kinks in the law during the next session, Duhigg said. But she emphasized that cannabis expungement is a temporary issue because theres a limited universe of people who need it. More people arent getting arrested and added to the expungement workload due to legalization, she said. However, state Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D- Albuquerque, who is an attorney, said his clients cant afford to wait another year for lawmakers to fix the law. He said people with a cannabis criminal record are being denied jobs, loan applications and the ability to qualify for federal or state benefits. This will continue until the expungement process is worked out by lawmakers, he said. Theres just kind of this idea that, oh, the people will take what we give them, he said. My clients deserve better. An injustice that persists for one day is too long. Candelaria said the expungement act was a missed opportunity to deliver real social and restorative justice reform to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs that caused harm and trauma to communities of color. Expungement doesnt automatically restore a persons civil rights, he said. All it does is hide those records from the public eye, but law enforcement can still access them. For example, most people who want to purchase a federal firearm will require a pardon, not an expungement, to restore their right to bear arms, he said. When Illinois passed its cannabis legalization, it had a pardon and clemency provision that automatically restored peoples civil rights, Candelaria said. He wants New Mexico to do the same. With Democrats in control of the executive and both chambers of the legislature, he said. It really is beyond disappointing and confusing to me why we would not have included the same sort of pardon provision. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Even as the Mars Rover is exploring our closest neighboring planet, NASA is preparing a mission bound for farther reaches of our solar system. Discussing the upcoming Lucy mission to Jupiters Trojan asteroids is one of the highlights of this coming weeks annual Los Alamos ScienceFest, which runs through next Sunday. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Last years event was online because of the virus and some of this years events such as Kara Rocks Lucy presentation will also be virtual. But there will be plenty of hands-on stuff going on, too. Were thrilled to be welcoming back locals and visitors to celebrate what our community is best known for groundbreaking science, said Kelly Stewart, Los Alamos County spokeswoman. A panel on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Fuller Lodge lawn will discuss COVID & Disease Modeling. Leading experts in disease modeling will answer questions about tracking, understanding and forecasting the virus. Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers will bring scientific knowledge and statistical expertise to show how math and modeling cross in prediction efforts, lead decision-making and support long-term strategies for global health. Thursday will feature a recorded video tour of Virgin Galactic and a Q&A session at the Fuller Lodge with Katie Westley, Galactic Unite associate manager. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium will present Preserving Our Dark Skies and a light pollution demonstration. It will look at how light pollution affects our view of the night sky using special effects in the planetarium. It will show sky glow and light domes over cities, and how these can have negative effects on sky-watching. On Sunday at 11 a.m., Kara Rock, a University of South Florida Physics and Education student, will discuss the Lucy mission before coming to New Mexico the following week to meet with students in Los Alamos and Espanola Valley. Rock is a Lucy Ambassador working with LSpace Academies Im looking forward to getting out and telling people about the amazing science thats happening, she said of the 12-year mission scheduled to blast off in October. Weve been exploring our world for a very long time, finding out different things by exploring below the surface. NASA is taking exploration to the next level, she said. Now were doing that on a solar system level, mapping asteroids through our solar system, Rock said. When collisions happened, what types of matter were passed along the way? How did matter made its way to Earth? Were discovering new things all the time. Her presentation will look at the specific asteroids chosen for study, and why and how the spacecrafts trajectory is carefully synchronized to take advantage of Earths gravity. Lucys solar system tour will study eight asteroids. It is the most ambitious NASA project in terms of destinations and independent sun orbits. The most popular of the ScienceFest events, the Saturday Discovery Day, will remain virtual. For more information, see losalamossciencefest.com/events. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... It is tough to go even a week without seeing another report about pharmaceutical industry profiteering, and its time for New Mexicans to fight back. In the latest outrage, the New York Times reports the drug manufacturer Biogen will charge $56,000 a year for its new Alzheimers drug, Aduhelm. Drug prices have little to do with the cost of research and development and the need to deliver affordable treatment to patients and much more to do with company revenue targets and profits. Biogens stock soared nearly 40% on news of the $56,000 price tag. Prescription drug companies are the only businesses in the health care industry whose rates are not regulated. Its time to hold them to the same standard as all other health care providers. New Mexico needs a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) to help ensure we all have access to affordable medications, because drugs dont work if people cant afford them, and our health care system cannot sustain the continued upward pressure of rising drug costs. By creating a PDAB, the Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham can empower an independent body with the authority to evaluate high-cost drugs and set reasonable rates for consumers to pay. Other states are already acting to take on the pharmaceutical industrys anti-consumer practices. The Colorado Legislature just passed a PDAB that will consider a broad range of economic factors when setting appropriate payment rates for reviewed drugs, requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to justify drug costs. Once a fair payment rate is determined, the board sets an upper payment limit that applies to all purchasers and payor reimbursements in the state, ensuring that lower costs benefit consumers. The bill sets various conditions that would trigger an affordability review, including when prices increase by more than 10% per year, or exceed either $30,000 a year for brand-name drugs or $100 a month for generics per person. Patients or consumer advocates could also nominate drugs for review. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ New Mexicans continue to struggle to afford the prescription drugs they need, often having to choose between their medication and other necessities, like rent and groceries. Meanwhile, the drug companies that produce these drugs make billions of dollars a year in profits. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports 35 big drug companies raked in $8.6 billion in profits between 2000 and 2018. Nine of the top 10 companies spend more money on marketing and advertising than they do on researching new drugs. There is no excuse for the high prices they charge. A new statewide coalition of health experts, patient advocates and consumers New Mexico Consumers for Affordable Prescriptions is urging lawmakers to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and end prescription drug price gouging that hurts our families and neighbors. Organizations ranging from AARP, the Center on Law and Poverty and Health Action New Mexico to New Mexico Voices for Children and the New Mexico Conference of Churches have come together to demand action in the 2022 legislative session. On average, Americans pay four times as much for the same medicines as people in other countries. As prescription drug companies continue to increase prices, its time to stand up to those who are harming vulnerable New Mexicans. We need controls to make drugs more affordable for people. New Mexico needs a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Just pull up the job openings at any school district in our state and you will notice the same thing. There is a desperate shortage of special education teachers. As a special education teacher myself, I could easily find a job anywhere in New Mexico. This job security should attract more educators to this field, but it just isnt enough. In fact, there is a common piece of advice in education that says, dont get a special education credential, because you will never get out. Trust me, almost every student teacher has heard it, and many have avoided special education because of it. I recently discovered this to be true. After becoming highly qualified with a general education credential in social studies, I was still denied the opportunity to move into social studies positions because they couldnt replace me as a special education teacher. Although I should have felt honored by such a sentiment expressed by my principal, I felt resentful as I watched less qualified candidates being given the opportunity for those general education positions. I absolutely love being a special education teacher, but its an almost impossible job The amount of paperwork from IEPs and other types of legal documentation eats up way more prep time than is allotted to us. In order to keep up with legal timelines, we are forced to spend evenings and weekends working on it. This interferes with us using our time to plan exciting lessons that directly benefit our students. Ive always been amazed at how the gifted students at my school enjoy smaller classes than our students with disabilities. Their case managers are also given double the prep time as case managers of students with disabilities. How is this fair to our students? The Yazzie/Martinez (ruling) was absolutely right when it asserted we are not prioritizing these students. I see it first hand every day I step into my classroom. I do everything I can for these kids, but I need more resources to be as effective as possible in filling major educational gaps. In 2019, Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, recognized special education teachers have a lot more administrative responsibilities and proposed they receive a 15% raise as compensation. His proposal did not pass because others thought it would be giving special treatment to one group of educators over another. However Special education teachers manage a caseload of students, have copious amounts of additional paperwork, hold several meetings and more in addition to all of the other normal teaching responsibilities such as lesson-planning and grading. additional compensation would have at least helped alleviate the dire teacher shortage. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Instead, New Mexico is hoping to attract more special education teachers by promoting the alternative licensure program. Essentially, you can become a special education teacher without having to go through the same rigorous teaching program that I had to go through to become certified. Why are we lowering the standards instead of actively retaining qualified teachers? Several studies back up the fact the turnover rate is exceptionally higher for special education teachers. Oftentimes, this leaves special education classes being taught by long-term substitute teachers without teaching credentials. This population of students deserves the most consistency. These students need small class sizes, hands-on curriculum and teachers who are given time to plan engaging activities for them. I applaud New Mexico for recently passing legislation to create an ombudsman program to help parents navigate through the special education system. However, what is the point when the system itself is not adequately providing for these students? Shouldnt we be focusing on fixing the flawed system itself first? Our special education students were especially neglected during the COVID pandemic. We owe it to them and their teachers to allocate more resources going forward. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... In his recent essay in The Atlantic, Obijwe tribal member David Treuer proposes returning ownership of Americas national parks to descendants of the Indigenous peoples who inhabited those lands prior to the arrival of white Europeans in North America. If ever there was a scary-brilliant idea, Treuers is it. Treuers proposal is scary because change is, well, scary. His idea is brilliant because it offers a simple, straightforward way to honor Americas original stewards by returning the most magnificent and iconic portions of the American landscape to their descendants. Treuer proposes turning over ownership of national park lands to modern tribes while leaving oversight of the parks by the National Park Service unchanged. For Native Americans, he writes, there can be no better remedy for the theft of land than land. And for us, no lands are as spiritually significant as the national parks. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ As a non-Native resident of the Southwest who writes about environmental and social-justice issues in national parks, I say here, here. Like many, I first fell in love with Americas national parks when I visited them as a child with my parents and siblings. My ardor has continued to increase over the last decade while Ive researched and written my National Park Mystery Series for nonprofit environmental publisher Torrey House Press. Today, Torrey House Press is working in support of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition to return Utahs Bears Ears National Monument, considered sacred by numerous tribes, to its original boundaries, which encompassed more than one million stunningly beautiful acres before the Trump administration slashed the monuments size by 85%. While that effort is now under review by Americas first Native American Secretary of the Interior, New Mexicos Deb Haaland, Treuers proposal represents a further move toward honoring modern Native Americans and their ancestors. My wife is an emergency physician at Tsehootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance, on the New Mexico-Arizona border in the heart of the Navajo Nation. A century and a half ago, the U.S. Army rounded up the Dine the Navajo people at Fort Defiance, then forced them on a genocidal march of more than 300 miles to the Bosque Redondo internment camp in eastern New Mexico. That deadly march is known among the Dine as the Long Walk. Injustices against Native Americans like the Long Walk and countless others the slaughter of Miwok people on the floor of Yosemite Valley in California prior to the creation of Yosemite National Park, the forced sale by Blackfeet people of their homelands to the U.S. government to make way for Glacier National Park deserve to be better recognized by all Americans. The act of turning national park lands over to tribal ownership not only would honor the Native Americans who lived, cared for and died on those lands, it would honor the resiliency of modern Native Americans as well. With his proposal, Treuer offers an ingenious way to engender that honor and recognition. The logical first step toward making his idea a reality is for Haaland to establish a committee of experts tasked with assessing and developing parameters for the proposal. I encourage the secretary to do just that. ASSOCIATED PRESS Yosemite National Park, California. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Today the United States once again celebrates the Fourth of July. Its hard to believe its been 245 years since colonial leaders signed the Declaration of Independence, the document stating their intention to separate from the rule of Great Britain and form a new nation. It was a risky move against the mightiest empire of the day, both militarily and economically. But colonial leaders were through being subjected to the whims of a monarch some 3,500 miles and an ocean away. And if you read the Declaration, which we recommend, you will find a list of injuries and usurpations by the British king that made life so miserable it was necessary to break away. The most famous line of the Declaration, and the one that has proven the most difficult to live up to, is: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ But that lofty ideal is immediately followed by two also important lines. The first one puts the power in the hands of the people: That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. The next line gives the people the right to do away with a government that ceases to be beneficial. It was, after all, just what the signers were doing: That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. The United States of America has taken a beating lately from some citizens who are unhappy with its founding, its history, its laws, its economic system, its place in the world and many other issues from the very personal to those affecting society as a whole. Discontent these days seems to cover the entire political spectrum. And in these 245 years, the nation has indeed committed many grievous sins among the worst were the mistreatment and eradication in some cases of the people who were indigenous to this land, and the enslavement of people captured and brought here from Africa. Today, many people of the United States are still paying a dear price for both. Yet there is more to criticize or even condemn. Some very vocal people decry an economic system they see as one where a large amount of wealth is concentrated among a very few while multitudes suffer poverty; laws that seem to favor people with political connections or of certain races or classes; the spoilage of land, air and waterways; and corruption among government officials. An outsider might look today at the United States with wonder and think that surely it must be on its last legs as a superpower. But they would be ignoring much of the positive about this country. What is considered poverty in the U.S. would be a successful lifestyle in much of the world. As the U.S. argues whether the minimum wage should be $15 an hour, the United Nations reports that more than 700 million people around the world are surviving on less than $1.90 a day. While Congress debates how many trillions to spend on infrastructure and the vast majority of Americans expect clean water at the touch of a tap, the World Health Organization reports that 144 million people globally are dependent on surface water and at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces. While Costco and Sams Club warehouses are filled with acres of food and restaurant franchises sprout like Russian thistles in cities across America, UNICEF reports that 690 million people go to bed each night on an empty stomach. Americans constantly and correctly employ their free speech rights to point out this nations deficiencies, but the advantages this nation offers its residents leaves no doubt why hundreds of thousands of people from around the world each year try to cross its borders illegally or overstay their visas or apply for legal immigration. So while it is easy for someone who has known only the freedoms and relative good life provided by this country to amplify its faults, this holiday we might remember comments from two former presidents: In his 1989 farewell address, former President Ronald Reagan described the United States as: shes still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the Pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home. And former President Barack Obama said during his 2008 presidential campaign: We may come from different places and have different stories, but we share common hope, and one very American dream. So, enjoy the Fourth of July, in a country that, with all its faults, for much of the world remains a beacon of hope. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Last month, a group of 24 New Mexico Democrats sent a letter to President Biden supporting the administrations moratorium on federal oil and gas leases. While my former colleagues are correct that we have a responsibility to combat climate change, they conveniently fail to acknowledge the devastating impact banning oil and gas operations on federal lands and waters will have on our recovering economy here in New Mexico, and the fact President Bidens executive order could very well just be the tip of the iceberg. The Biden administration has clearly made environmental regulation a priority, but additional, and potentially overreaching, regulation on the oil and gas industry will gravely impact our state and threaten our states revenues and future. Our elected officials need to instead find a solution that works for both New Mexicos business community and our environment. The oil and gas industry plays a critical role in New Mexico, creating jobs and boosting local economies through its employment and payments to state and local governments. Over one-third of our state is made up of federal land, enabling our communities to benefit from the development of oil and gas resources by the Bureau of Land Management. In 2020, proceeds to New Mexico derived from drilling on federal land totaled $707 million the most of any state in the country and accounted for nearly 10% of our states total budget. However, if this leasing ban were to be enacted permanently, this revenue would be gone. That potential lost revenue is concerning. As a former Democratic state representative and current chairman of Sustainable New Mexico, I am well-versed in just how critical money received from oil and gas operations can be to local, tribal, and state authorities. Funds from oil and gas operations help to support a range of public outlays, including schools, hospitals, parks and other essentials. Without this monetary support from the oil and gas industry, communities across New Mexico could face a budgetary crisis. Most notably, oil and gas has provided our state with $1.37 billion for education, accounting for over one-third of our annual education budget. This money goes toward salaries, professional development and other needs, helping to provide a reliable educational foundation for New Mexicos youth that prepares them well for the future. Yet it remains to be seen how this funding would be sourced if a federal leasing ban were to become permanent. New Mexican students would unduly suffer as we would need to balance education funding with support for our reopening and recovery. Additionally, the oil and gas sector supports 134,000 jobs in New Mexico, providing well-paying careers and consistent paychecks to workers in every corner of the state. However, a report by the American Petroleum Institute found if the federal leasing ban is made permanent, New Mexico could lose up to 62,000 jobs by 2022 and risk $1.1 billion in state revenue. We cannot simply write off the livelihoods of 62,000 New Mexicans in one fell swoop especially not as our state tries to recover from one of the most trying periods in history. A permanent leasing ban would do irreparable damage to our local communities and economies. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ While the White Houses focus on combatting climate change is well-intentioned, the unintended consequences of a federal leasing ban are too severe to be ignored. If federal lands leasing were to be halted, billions in tax revenue that fund education, health care and other public initiatives in New Mexico would disappear. This unfairly harms the children, families and communities that compose our state including many in rural or tribal areas. In terms of leasing bans, I can only hope President Biden understands both the pros and cons of such an action. Oil and gas operations provide crucial revenue streams to New Mexico and other energy states. A federal leasing ban would only hurt New Mexicans at a time when they need help the most. Joseph Sanchez is a former Democratic member of the N.M. House of Representatives where he served as vice-chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. New Mexico in World War II is kind of a scrapbook. Its rich with archival wartime-era photographs. The black-and-white images touch on the diverse roles residents played, whether in uniform, as civilians, on the battlefront, behind the lines or on the homefront. The text gives the reader explanations of topics in accompanying images. The first chapter is about the infamous Bataan Death March in 1942 in the Philippines. Many New Mexican soldiers died of torture, starvation and tropical diseases while under siege in Bataan province, during the march and later in hellish Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. The second chapter jumps to the Navajo Code Talkers. Navajos, recruited by the Marine Corps, had learned English in boarding school and knew the Navajo language from childhood. The recruits used Navajo words as the basis for messages embedded in a secret military code. The so-called code within a code aided Allied victories in key battles in the Pacific. The Japanese never broke it. Secrecy also shrouded a prominent national effort known as the Manhattan Project, featured in chapter 5. With its operational hub in the closed city of Los Alamos, the projects scientists developed a powerful nuclear weapon. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Their research produced the worlds first nuclear explosion, at Trinity Site in southern New Mexico, in July 1945. Weeks later the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had created the project at the urging of physicists Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard, expressing fear that Nazi Germany would develop a bomb. Army Col. Leslie Groves headed the Manhattan Project. Under him, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer led a team that designed the weapon. Other chapters present a mix of numerous and varied photographs of people, individually and in groups, who contributed to the war effort in their own ways. Here are some of the people in those photos: Crowds lined Downtown Albuquerques Central Avenue to view a Japanese submarine that had been captured at Pearl Harbor. The sub was being displayed to encourage citizens to buy war bonds. Pvt. Jose Valdez, born in Gobernador, was credited with helping a patrol, under fire from two companies of German infantrymen, reach safety. Wounded, he continued firing until he died. A U.S. Army transport ship was named in Valdezs honor. Hes in the New Mexicos Heroes chapter. Sixty-three New Mexican women, recruited into the Womens Army Auxiliary Corps Coronado Platoon, are shown marching in uniform in Santa Fe. German POWs were housed in camps in Roswell and Lordsburg and in smaller camps elsewhere in the state. American bombardiers are shown in training to learn the classified Norden bombsight at Carlsbad Army Airfield. An all-Black unit of the Army Corps of Engineers, on leave from Alamogordo Army Airfield, is seen relaxing at White Sands National Monument in 1942. U.S. military units remained segregated during the war. Japanese-American families were forced to relocate to internment camps because the government feared they were security risks. Two of the camps were in Santa Fe and Lordsburg. Ironically, some internees sons fought in a U.S. Army regiment, which the book described as the most highly decorated army combat unit during the war. The books authors are historians Richard Melzer, of Belen, emeritus professor of history at the University of New Mexico, and John Taylor, of Peralta. I think people know about various parts of the states contributions, but not necessarily as a whole, Melzer said. Its a good New Mexico history book for middle and high school students. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Federico Jimenez discovered the excitement of a treasure hunt in his back yard in the tiny village of Tututepec, Mexico. The teenager and his father were repairing the foundation of their ancestral home when they unearthed a big pot. Inside they found a pre-Columbian Mixtec Indian chest ornament with strands of turquoise, gold and shell that had been secretly buried by his family. He learned his village had been the capital city of the kingdom of the Mixtecs and that his great-grandfather had likely been their chief. The Mixtecs are Indigenous people of Mesoamerica. Jimenezs appetite for antiquities grew, sending him scurrying from village to village in search of more. The artist will be bringing his own Native American-inspired jewelry to the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe. Organizers will allow 200 visitors entry every two hours from July 7-18 on Milner Plaza on Museum Hill. Last years market was canceled due to the pandemic. Pre-COVID, it lured a crowd of about 21,000. Masks will be mandatory and all the artists will be tested for COVID-19 before entering. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Since that youthful discovery, Jimenez has organized exhibitions and acquired items for institutions, including the University of California/Los Angeles Museum of Cultural History and Santa Fes Museum of International Folk Art. He displays many of his own pieces in Mexico Citys anthropological museum and has launched his own folk art museum in Oaxaca. Today Jimenez is a renowned authority on Mexican silver, pre-Columbian and Mixtec jewelry. He began designing his own jewelry in 1972, using turquoise from New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. The designs range from soft and colorful floral settings to dramatic, free-form stone designs. That trajectory began when village officials kicked Jimenez out of their town when he was 14 for accidentally burning a nativity. It was an accident, but they didnt like it, he said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. I didnt (go to) confession, and that was a big deal in the village. His family sent him to a military boarding school. Next he earned a bachelors degree in science and art at the University of Benito Juarez in Oaxaca. Jimenez moved to L.A. in 1967, taking classes in jewelry making and design. He joined the protests for American Indians and the Chicano movement, picketing alongside such activists as Dennis Banks and the labor leader Cesar Chavez. He noticed the hippies bedecked in American Indian jewelry. I didnt want to work in a factory, so I learned jewelry, he said. I was intrigued. Whatever I could make, I sold it. His aspirations clicked when he visited the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos in 1974. He became a board member a year later. I fell in love with that museum, he said. I could touch all that jewelry. I started making things similar. Jimenez based his Frida Kahlo designs on the artist who wore mounds of Mexican Indian jewelry. Laced with filigree, it often features rosettes, hearts and birds, as well as turquoise. He also incorporates spiny oyster shell, garnets and opals into his work. I love more than anything else the stones, Jimenez said. I think (turquoise) is very spiritual for me. At the Taos Pueblo, the governor told me a lot of stories about turquoise. He wore a bracelet with broken stones. He said the stones cracked, saving him from a heart attack. Turquoise has been giving me the style of life I have now. Jimenezs work hangs from the necks of such celebrities as Cher, Catherine Deneuve, Ali MacGraw, Joni Mitchell, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. Now he donates $5,000 a year to the Folk Art Market to help upcoming artists. I was very poor and I know what thats all about, he said. For them, its a luxury. An artist from India thanked him because the grant supplied a new water well for his village. A Peruvian artist used the money to buy tools for his studio. Diminutive in size, with jet black hair and distinctly Native features, Jimenez will no doubt be wearing an embroidered shirt, flashy bolo and ropes of silver in Santa Fe. If you go WHAT: International Folk Art Market WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 8; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 9; Saturday, July 10 and Sunday, July 11; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 16; Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18. Attendance will be limited to 200 people every 2 hours to be fully COVID-safe, and provide an intimate and uncrowded situation. A different group of artists will be featured each weekend. WHERE: Milner Plaza, Museum Hill, Santa Fe HOW MUCH: $30 advance; $40 at the door at folkartmarket.org, 505-992-7600 .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Jesus Cimi Alvarado creates works of art with a message. Growing up in Segundo Barrio in El Paso, his life experiences influence his work as it honors the Chicanx experience, all while paying tribute to his Mexican ancestors. The El Paso-based artist has nearly two dozen murals in his hometown of El Paso. Hes taking the next step as some of his work will be seen in the film, The Forever Purge, which is the fifth installment of the The Purge franchise, and in theaters. The franchise tells the story of where the country is a dystopia which celebrates an annual national holiday known as the Purge, a day in which all crime, including murder, becomes legal for a 12-hour period. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Alvarado says he was honored when director Everardo Gout reached out to him. I did the murals in my studio and they were shipped over to the studio, he says. They inserted them into the film with special effects. Im excited to see how it all turned out. El Paso is featured in The Forever Purge and it was important to Gout that it was represented in a manner which is authentic and true to the city. This is where Gout enlisted the help of Alvarado. Cimis participation was crucial to this project to lend authenticity to the idea that the art and poetry that Latinos in the United States create can be utilized as a type of code of communication which hides in plain sight, Gout says. Cimis art takes into account the Mexican American bipolarity that exists in Texas and in El Paso, which is exactly what we needed for this project. Alvarado was excited that Gout was looking to properly represent the El Paso community in the film. We need guys like him keeping the representation going, Alvarado says. (Everardo) is giving people of color and myself, a Mexican American, an opportunity to get into the film industry. In the film, the series of murals that Alvarado created serve as code for those trying to escape the purge. Alvarado is known for choosing themes and iconography for murals that resonate with Latinos. For this film, I wanted to create imagery that I knew would be representative of El Paso and that people from my community would find relatable, Alvarado says. Work that they can say, Oh yeah, thats El Paso. The film was slated to be released in 2020, but the pandemic forced the date to move. It hit theaters on Friday, July 2. Alvarado hopes that the international exposure will help raise his profile in the film and TV industry. El Pasos film industry is starting to make waves and he knows that New Mexico is next door and hopes to get exposure there. Netflix is making waves up there, he says. My parents live in Albuquerque and it would be awesome to get up there and work on some art for film or around the area. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal As a licensed foster parent for more than a decade, Jill Jones and her husband, Kirt, have fostered more than 10 kids and adopted three. But the state Children, Youth and Families Department revoked her license and sued her in state District Court last year to get her to remove three social media posts about a Romanian couple who faced child abuse charges and who had absconded with their children who were in CYFD custody. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Jones had been a foster mother to two of the four children of Luiza Badea and Andrei Ducila. CYFD sued her last October seeking a judges order to compel her to remove social media posts about the case including a photo of one of the children. The agency also wants a ruling that she disseminated confidential information about CYFDs abuse and neglect case against the parents. As a foster parent, CYFD contends, Jones was bound by confidentiality regardless if she, or someone else, previously disclosed the confidential information to the public. Jones in a countercomplaint contends CYFD revoked her foster license in retaliation for her efforts to protect her former foster children. She also contends her public complaints about the agencys failure to report the children missing in May 2020 didnt include any confidential information. Moreover, she contends the posts about the actions and failures to act by CYFD in the case are protected speech. CYFD placed Badea and Ducilas infant child in her care in June 2019 and asked her to care for the childs older brother two weeks later. In April 2020, CYFD removed the infant from her care over the objections of a CYFD caseworker, her complaint says. The boy rejoined his biological parents sometime earlier. Jones is seeking monetary damages and the reinstatement of her foster parent license. Months before the children were returned to their parents, Jones gave an interview to the Hobbs News Sun in February 2020, saying that CYFD was in a crisis state. The biggest concern to us as foster parents is the childs needs are not being placed first, Jones was quoted as saying. We have sorta moved from a child protective-type service to a parent protective service. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Senior Justice Barbara Vigil has left her mark on the states judiciary, and the law of New Mexico, during her more than two decades on the bench first as a trial court judge in Santa Fe and then as a justice of the state Supreme Court. And along with published opinions and guiding precedent set forth for posterity in law books, she has left the familys brand on cattle she and her siblings still actively participate in raising on a northern New Mexico ranch. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The judicial chapter of her life closed on Wednesday, June 30, when her retirement from the court became effective. But energetic and engaging, dont expect much of a slowdown from Vigil on the ranch, on the international travel/lecture circuit or some as-yet-to-be-determined future endeavor. Its been an incredible honor to serve on the judiciary because the work of the court is so critically important to the things I believe in she said. But I thought after 21 years it was time to pivot and evolve to determine how I might serve our state in another role. St. Catherines Indian School A native New Mexican, Vigil, 62, hails from a ranching and farming family. I came to attend St. Catherines Indian School in Santa Fe because my mother passed away unexpectedly when I was 12. She was the center of our family and the center of my life. My father, who had five daughters and one son sought to enroll his daughters at St. Catherines because it was a boarding school and he could continue to work through the week and his family could be cared for at school. It was a good fit for young Barbara academically she was class valedictorian. And it was a good fit in other ways. It was a Catholic boarding school and the nuns ran a tight ship, so I developed an innate practice of being very organized and structured in my life and that was very valuable to me to have lived there and be educated in that environment. It was an education in life skills that has served her well in challenging positions in law and life. It also was the beginning of a life-long relationship with Native Americans and an appreciation for their culture. We developed close relations with a number of Native American students. We were raised with them and it was something that instilled in me a deep appreciation for our native communities. That was reinforced by watching her grandmother interact with pueblo women at her home in the North Valley of Alameda. My grandparents ran a small family farm and we would sell fruits and vegetables on Fourth Street. One of the fondest memories I have of growing up was of Native American women from the pueblos visiting my grandmother in her kitchen. She spoke only Spanish and these women would speak Tewa, but they would go in the kitchen and have coffee. They didnt speak the same language but managed to trade and enjoy each others company. I think that instilled in me a deep appreciation for the cultural core of New Mexico and how beautiful it is and how it is so unique. It also set her on a natural course of working with tribal communities and tribal courts in New Mexico after she became a lawyer and judge, strengthening those institutional relationships. Advocating for children After working in private practice and as a government lawyer, Vigil became a district court judge in Santa Fe in 2000, where she served for 12 years. She presided over more than 16,000 cases in areas ranging from complex civil litigation to criminal proceedings. She also presided over Childrens Court for more than 10 years and was instrumental in the creation of juvenile justice boards in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos counties. Juvenile justice issues became a passion for her. As a Childrens Court judge one cannot help but become aware of the critical needs of our children and families, she said in a state bar publication interview. Personally, I found it impossible not to advocate for new ways to improve our system in order to better serve our children. I maintain that as judges we must continually examine and address the system barriers. She was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2012 and in 2014 was chosen by her colleagues to serve as chief justice, a position she held until April 2016. Horrendous crimes Asked whether any particular case as a Supreme Court justice stands out for her, Vigil reflects for a moment and points out that the court considers many important cases and issues. But the one she mentions is the 2019 majority opinion she wrote vacating the sentences of death row inmates Timothy Allen and Robert Fry, ruling that their state-sanctioned executions would be unjust since other criminals convicted of similar crimes received lesser sentences. Both had been sentenced to die before the Legislature repealed capital punishment at the urging of then-Gov. Bill Richardson. In comparing petitioners cases to other equally horrendous cases in which defendants were not sentenced to death, we find no meaningful distinction which justifies imposing the death sentence upon Fry and Allen, Vigil wrote. It was a 3-2 decision and she was joined by then-Justices Charles Daniels and Edward Chavez. Courts dont decide hypotheticals and the crimes were horrendous. Allen in 1994 picked up 17-year-old Sandra Philips, who was walking to do an errand in northwestern New Mexico. She was found six weeks later by a sheepherder, partly undressed with a rope around her neck. Allen was convicted of kidnapping, attempted rape and murder. Betty Lee, a mother of five in her 30s was stranded at a Farmington convenience store when Fry and an accomplice offered her a ride home to Shiprock. She realized something wasnt right and tried to flee. She was stabbed in the chest and her clothes pulled off. She tried to run away and hide, but Fry hit her over the head with a sledgehammer. He was convicted of kidnapping, attempted rape and murder. The heinous nature of the crimes wasnt in doubt. The landmark court ruling turned on whether their sentences were disproportionate punishments that were invalid after the repeal of the death penalty. Law school ahead Vigil was working toward a degree in accounting at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces when she decided to apply to the University of New Mexico Law School. I thought about what was next and had always wanted to pursue a profession where I could help others, she said. My mother just kind of instilled that in me before her passing that what we do is help others who are less fortunate. I chose to go to New Mexico State because my older sister was there and felt it was a good university for me. We had to fund our studies and university education through grants and scholarships and loans and so forth. I was able to do that by attending New Mexico State and love that I am an Aggie. My father said before he passed that he had sent five daughters to New Mexico State University, but he was still a Lobo at heart. A fan of Mary Walters Vigil was the third woman to serve as chief justice of the state Supreme Court, following Pamela Minzner and Petra Jimenez Maes. She notes that she should have been number four recounting a story that resonates with a couple generations of women lawyers in New Mexico. Mary Walters was admitted to the state bar in 1962 after graduating from the UNM law school and was the first woman to serve in New Mexico as a District Court judge. She also was the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court, appointed by then-Gov. Toney Anaya in 1984. But Walters, who died in 2001, was never formally selected as chief justice by her colleagues. Nonetheless, her portrait now hangs in the hall of chief justices at the Supreme Court, thanks to Minzner, who Vigil says insisted that an order be entered by the New Mexico Supreme Court recognizing Mary Walters as a chief justice. Minzner, known for her kindness, keen intellect and professionalism, died in 2007 after a battle with cancer. That order was signed just days before Pams passing and it is one of the most wonderful contributions that Pamela Minzner made to the legacy of the court in recognizing Mary Walters, Vigil said. It is a story that clearly touches Vigil, who says that one of the beautiful aspects of that room is that Mary Walters portrait hangs there. A fan of Justice Daniels Role models and mentors? There are many. Vigil cites Minzner, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and former Supreme Court colleague Charles Daniels, who retired from the court in December 2018 and died nine months later from complications of ALS. I value the opportunity to have worked with Justice Daniels on this court. He was an inspiration, I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be his colleague. His unique brilliance and good humor. He continues to be an inspiration to me. Frustrations and challenges? I think it is incumbent on the two other branches of government to ensure there are adequate resources to support and fund our court system. That becomes increasingly more challenging as we move forward with limited resources. I think it is important that judges be compensated in a manner that enables them or the profession to attract qualified candidates to the bench. We all know New Mexico judges are at the bottom the list when it comes to judicial compensation in comparison to other states. Would she favor removing the requirement in New Mexico that judges stand for one partisan election after their names are put forward by the Judicial Nominating Commission and they are appointed by the governor? She answers by saying it would be good to remove politics from the appointment or election process for judges. As for discussions in Washington about expanding the U.S. Supreme Court, Vigil isnt ready to embrace that, but points to the refusal of the Republican-controlled Senate to hear President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland prior to the election in 2016. Im not sure expanding the Supreme Court is the answer, she said. I would just urge our lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duty of confirming a sitting presidents nominee regardless of when that nomination is made. I would stand by that position more than reacting to it by expanding the Court. Vigil has accumulated many awards during her judicial tenure, but demurs when asked which of them stands out. I think its not so much awards that matter but that my work and trying to improve the lives of children and families has been some of the most gratifying endeavors in my professional career. Ranching and reading Now that shes off the bench, Vigil will have more time for her ranching roots, reading and travel. My sisters and I have continued the family legacy and have embarked on raising cattle, she says. That means getting out in the field for chores that include branding. It makes you realize how much it takes to do that type of work. Vigil has a keen interest in history and in particular New Mexicos unique connection to Spain. For years I have traveled to Spain on pretty much an annual basis and have worked to develop this mutual understanding of our connection to Spain. She has lectured at the Madrid Law Institute. And there is no shortage of preferred reading material waiting for her attention. I have many books stacked up. Being on the Supreme Court, we do a tremendous amount of reading every day. She will continue to maintain a residence in Santa Fe, which she shares with husband Ian. Our main home will always be in Santa Fe, but they also spend time in Los Angeles where Ian is involved in commercial real estate. They met through a mutual friend and married in 2017. Next up? Who knows? Whats next for Barbara Vigil? I will miss the job. But I am hopeful that I will continue to serve New Mexico, to serve the greater good, in some way. Might that include running for elective office? I have no plans to run for office as of today, she said. It will be serving in some other way that is yet to be determined. Beyond that, she has set her sights on just taking care of myself and making sure Im as balanced and feel as healthy as I can. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal Its a tragic case that has put New Mexicos child welfare system on trial. On a summer day two years ago, a police officer in Hobbs was called to the scene of a Walmart parking lot, where a couple were panhandling in 90-degree weather with their four young children. Three of the children appeared dirty, red in the face from the heat and wore no shoes. The youngest, an infant with severe diaper rash, sat wrapped in a blanket in a car seat. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ NEED FORMULA, FOOD, AND GAS MONEY, said a sign held by a man later identified as their father, Andrei Ducila, a Romanian national. The June 3, 2019, encounter led to criminal child abuse charges against the parents, and prompted the state Children, Youth and Families Department to place the children ages 3 weeks to 4 years old in foster care and seek legal custody. But in April 2020, state child protective services workers returned the children to the parents allegedly on a trial basis while CYFD still retained legal custody. Within weeks, the parents had skipped town with the children on a cross-country trek. The baby was dumped at a North Carolina hospital after suffering a brain injury that left her permanently blind. The rest of the family moved on to Houston where the parents were arrested last November. Today, the mother, Luiza Badea, 23, also from Romania, is in the Lea County Detention Center awaiting a ruling on whether she is competent to stand trial on New Mexico child abuse charges. Her husband, Ducila, 26, is being held in a Charleston, North Carolina, jail on charges of first-degree intentional child abuse related to the babys fractured skull, burns and other injuries, court records show. The children are back in foster care in New Mexico. But CYFD is fighting three civil actions alleging the agency negligently returned the children to their biological parents and covered up its mistakes. CYFD attorneys deny the allegations. The agency is alleged to have prevented police from issuing an Amber Alert by insisting the children werent in danger and initially blocked the 5th Judicial District Attorney from pressing criminal charges of custodial interference against the parents. CYFD is also accused of attempting to silence and retaliate against a foster mother and two CYFD caseworkers who criticized the agencys actions. One of the two caseworkers was removed from the case and no longer works for the agency. All three describe themselves as whistleblowers. Last November, CYFD employee Kelly Mazy and former employee Ivy Woodward were the first to file suit against the agency. A month later, two guardians ad litem, both attorneys, filed a lawsuit representing the four children that is now in federal court. In the third case, former foster mother, Jill Jones, filed a counterclaim against CYFD alleging her foster parent license was revoked to punish her for exposing illegal conduct by CYFD that led to the babys permanent injuries. CYFD had sued her last October for allegedly disclosing confidential information about the case allegations she denies. Jones contends she feared for the safety of the children, two of whom she had cared for, when she posted on social media about their disappearance in 2020. CYFD attorneys in court records say the allegations are one-sided and disputed. But the full story may never become public because CYFD has sought protective orders sealing portions of the lawsuits related to its actions, citing state and federal confidentiality laws involving abuse and neglect proceedings. CYFD maintains the family by law is entitled to its privacy. CYFD successfully petitioned a Lea County district judge last year to seal the criminal child abuse complaint that Hobbs police filed against the couple in June 2019. At CYFDs request, the whistleblower complaint filed by the caseworkers is sealed and their motion objecting to the sealing is heavily redacted. Their attorney, Benjamin Gubernick of Phoenix, argued that CYFD betrayed the public trust and the public has a right to know what happened. CYFDs job: Keep kids safe The practice of returning children to homes where neglect or abuse has been documented, or failing to remove them from unfit biological parents, has been at the heart of other lawsuits alleging malfeasance by CYFD. CYFDs job is to keep children safe, so if they cant figure out a way to have internal controls to prevent these mistakes that are sometimes fatal, they need to revamp their system, Albuquerque attorney Sara Crecca said last week. Thats their single job. Crecca is one of the attorneys who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against CYFD in May following the beating death of a 4-year-old Albuquerque boy in 2019 whose family had been on the agencys radar for years. A roommate of the boys mother has been charged in the death. A CYFD spokesman told the Journal on Friday that the agency, guided by state law, tries to preserve the unity of families whenever possible. CYFD serves as both a safety net for endangered children and a support system to provide parents with the tools they need to safely care for their offspring, said agency spokesman Charlie Moore-Pabst in an email. Our agency would never intentionally reunite children with their families until it is safe to do so, and firmly believes that being poor is not a crime nor a reason in and of itself to necessitate child separation. In the case involving the Romanian couple, police reports and court documents show: A Hobbs police officer on June 3, 2019, filed four felony counts of abuse of a child against the couple after learning that despite Ducilas claims in broken English that the family had no money, no food and needed help with baby formula, the couple did have financial resources. CYFD was called, and the children, ages 4, 3, 1 and the infant, were examined at a medical clinic where the three oldest were diagnosed with tooth decay. The 3-week-old had severe diaper rash, dehydration and thrush in the mouth. The 1-year-old also had a urinary tract infection. It was determined (Andrei) and Luiza negligently disregarded the health, well-being and safety of the children by not providing housing or medical treatment for their children when they had the means to do so, the police officer wrote. CYFD took the children into custody. And in the months that followed, the agency asked a state district judge to terminate their parental rights. But court records show the agency also was helping the couple with a parenting plan for possible reunification and allowed supervised visits under the watch of a CYFD caseworker. A state district judge ultimately gave CYFD custody of the children on March 16, 2020. Court records show by the end of April CYFD placed them back with their parents, who were still facing criminal charges. The lawsuit filed on behalf of the four children alleges CYFD returned them for a trial home visit having actual knowledge that turning physical custody to the parents would create substantial risk to the childrens health, safety and well-being. CYFD caseworker at the time, Woodward, documented the parents manifest unfitness in reports submitted to her superiors at CYFD. And during one supervised visit, one of the parents offered Woodward a cash bribe to look the other way while they absconded with the children. She refused and reported the incident to her superiors at CYFD, according to the lawsuit. On May 2, 2020, a CYFD caseworker contacted police to report that she couldnt locate the family when she tried to make a home visit to their apartment in Hobbs. And they werent answering the phone. Hobbs police subsequently filed additional charges of custodial interference against the parents. But no Amber Alert was issued, the lawsuits allege. This case arises because CYFD, a public agency that purports to protect children, did exactly the opposite and then tried to cover it up In a cynical effort to keep its workload down, CYFD decided to return four child abuse victims to their manifestly unfit parents, the caseworkers lawsuit says. As part of that scheme, the lawsuit alleges, CYFD ordered caseworker Woodward to lie in court and conceal the parents identities from law enforcement. Woodward refused to cooperate because she knew the children would be endangered. But CYFD did not care. To the contrary, CYFDs stated hope was that the family would disappear. Amber Alert not issued The lawsuits also claim CYFD prevented the Hobbs Police Department from issuing an Amber Alert, insisting the children werent in danger. CYFD also is alleged to have thwarted efforts to locate the family by refusing to report the children missing and withheld documents from Hobbs Police investigators that could have helped locate the children, the caseworkers lawsuit says. Staff were ordered not to discuss the matter with anyone, the lawsuit alleges, and CYFD retaliated against Mazy and Woodward for reporting the agencys mishandling of the case. The effort to conceal its misconduct went into overdrive in November 2020, their whistleblower lawsuit alleges, when the youngest child was abandoned by her mother at a hospital in North Carolina. The babys injuries are alleged to have been inflicted between Sept. 1, 2020, and Oct. 20, 2020. After the parents returned to face charges in New Mexico, state District Judge Mark Sanchez of Lovington ordered them held without bond, noting the danger is especially acute as regards the children, who are in or have been in very poor condition as a result of the parents care. In responding to the lawsuits, CYFD attorneys revealed the childrens medical conditions included tuberculosis and one child had meningitis. Meanwhile, the childrens father, Ducila faces a hearing in North Carolina next month on the felony charge related to the severe injuries to the baby. He pleaded guilty in March to the New Mexico charges of abuse of a child and custodial interference. Sanchez suspended prison sentences of three years and 18 months he imposed in the cases. And Ducila was transported to North Carolina to face the more serious child abuse charge. B.W. Stone, an Albuquerque attorney representing the mother, Badea, declined to comment for this story. But court records show he hasnt been able to effectively speak with the defendant despite the use of an interpreter, says an order by state District Judge William Shoobridge of Lovington. The judge in May agreed to an evaluation of her competency to stand trial. Badea, meanwhile, is asking for court permission to visit her children by video or in-person under CYFD supervision, but the judge hadnt ruled as of Friday. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... VATICAN CITY Pope Francis reacted well to planned intestinal surgery Sunday evening at a Rome hospital, the Vatican said, without giving much detail about the pontiffs condition. In a statement late Sunday, a Holy See spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said the 84-year-old Francis had general anesthesia during the surgery necessitated by a narrowing of the large intestine. The written statement, which came shortly before midnight, was notable for its scarcity of medical detail. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Bruni didnt say how long surgery lasted, nor for how long the pope was unconscious under anesthesia. Also not immediately clear was how long Francis would stay Romes Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, a Catholic hospital, although he was expected to convalesce for a few days in a private 10th floor apartment suite reserved for popes. The Holy Father, admitted in the afternoon to A. Gemelli Polyclinic, underwent in the evening planned surgery for a diverticular stenosis of the sigmoid portion of the colon, Bruni said in the brief written statement. The Holy Father reacted well to the surgery conducted under general anesthesia, the spokesman said, noting there was a four-person surgical team, plus a four-person anesthesiologist team. A stenosis is an abnormal constriction or narrowing. The sigmoid portion of the large intestine extends from the end of the descending colon to the rectum. Gastroenterologists say the sigmoid segment is a common location for a diverticular stenosis. The main surgeon was Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the director of Gemellis digestive surgery department. Among those present in the operating room was the official papal physician, whom Francis tapped earlier this year. The popes previous physician had contracted COVID-19 and died at Gemelli while hospitalized for cancer treatment. It was a remarkable end to a day that began publicly for Francis when, during his traditional Sunday appearance to the faithful in St. Peters Square, he cheerfully announced he would go to Hungary and Slovakia in September. The pope made no mention of his impending surgery, but headed shortly after his window appearance to the hospital. At the end of his public remarks from an Apostolic Palace window, Francis told the crowd: And please, dont forget to pray for me. Then he added, sounding casual, almost wistfully: Thanks, ciao. A couple hours after he was admitted, reportedly arriving with little escort and no fanfare, the Vatican revealed that Francis had been diagnosed with a narrowing in the large intestine. A week earlier, Francis had used his same Sunday appearance to ask the public for special prayers for himself, which may have been related to the planned surgery. I ask you to pray for the pope, pray in a special way, Francis had asked the faithful in the square on June 27. The pope needs your prayers, he said, adding his thanks and saying I know you will do that. A diverticulum is pouch-like protrusion through the muscular wall of the intestine. When diverticula become inflamed a common condition, especially in older people part of the intestine can sometimes narrow and surgery might be required, according to gastroenterologists. Such surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, possibly with a laparoscopic intervention. Sometimes a re-sectioning of the affected part of the intestine is needed. Francis is in generally good health, but he did have part of one lung removed as a young man. He also suffers from sciatica, in which a nerve affects the lower back and leg, a painful condition that has forced him at times to skip scheduled appearances. The pope had a particularly demanding set of appointments last week, including celebrating a Mass on Tuesday to mark the Catholic feast day honoring Saints Peter and Paul, and later in the week, presiding at a special prayer service for Lebanon. On June 28, he also had a long private audience at the Vatican with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Throughout all those engagements, Francis appeared to be in good spirits. Get-well wishes began arriving immediately for Francis. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, as soon as he landed in Paris for a state visit in France, offered an affectionate thought on behalf of all Italians. Mattarella said he was wishing for a good convalescence and even a speedier recovery for the pope. Gemelli doctors have performed surgery before on popes, notably Pope John Paul II, who had what the Vatican said was a benign tumor in his colon removed in 1992. John Paul had several other surgeries at the hospital, including after being shot by a gunman in St. Peters Square in 1981. After those surgeries, the Vatican and hospital officials gave detailed accounts of the popes medical condition. John Paul also had several medical issues in his final years, including severe complications from Parkinsons disease, and had numerous stays at Gemelli. At one point, the future St. John Paul II dubbed the hospital the third Vatican, after Vatican City and the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DUBLIN(BUSINESS WIRE)Jul 4, 2021 Innovative air disinfection technology from the Irish-headquartered Novaerus has been used at a major government-backed nightlife test event in Belgium. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210704005011/en/ Novaerus is part of WellAir a leading provider of infection control solutions. For over a decade, Novaerus has been providing medical-grade solutions that address a global problem: unhealthy indoor air. Indoor air is the culprit for many virus-based illnesses, bacterial infections, asthma, allergies and a host of long-term health issues. (Photo: Business Wire) ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Results from the event on Saturday, at which 350 volunteers partied throughout the night without masks or social distancing, could pave the way for the opening up of clubs and other hospitality venues across Europe. Novaeruss NanoStrike technology inactivates airborne micro-organisms on contact, providing the first line of protection against viruses and bacteria, including the virus that causes Covid-19. It is already widely used in hospitals, schools and office settings. The Dance Again event took place in La Madeleine in Brussels and was organised by the City of Brussels government, in association with the Brussels by Night Federation. All participants had to produce a negative Covid-19 test result before entry. Novaeruss Belgian distributor, Analis, provided four of its cutting-edge Defend 1050 devices for the event. A single Defend 1050 can change the air up to four times per hour in a room up to 92 square metres (990 square feet) in size. The air quality was constantly monitored inside the venue by CO2 monitors throughout the night. All Novaerus NanoStrike devices have been approved for use by the Belgian federal government under a recently passed Ministerial Decree on the safe use of air filtration devices. Michael Polly, vice president of product management at Novaerus, said: Novaerus was very happy to cooperate with the City of Brussels on this very important test event by providing vital air disinfection equipment for use. The results from this will provide a framework for the reopening of the nightlife sector across all of Belgium. The protocol that will be developed following the event should serve as a good example to other countries across Europe of how nightlife and hospitality can be opened safely. It underlines the need for a consistent, evidenced-based approach to reopening across Europe. Public health authorities increasingly recognise the role of airborne transmission in fuelling the Covid-19 pandemic. Adopting measures that address air quality is key to helping us reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission and our NanoStrike technology is a tried and tested, cost-effective solution that can help our nightlife and hospitality sectors reopen in a safe and sustainable manner. View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210704005011/en/ CONTACT: Kevin Hiney kevin.hiney@thisisredflag.com +32 471 75 30 55 KEYWORD: IRELAND EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE RETAIL OTHER TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY SPECIALTY SOURCE: Novaerus Copyright Business Wire 2021. PUB: 07/04/2021 10:10 AM/DISC: 07/04/2021 10:11 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210704005011/en .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... MANILA, Philippines A Philippine air force C-130 aircraft carrying combat troops assigned to fight Muslim militants crashed and exploded while landing in the south Sunday, killing at least 42 army soldiers on board and three civilians on the ground in one of the worst disasters in the air forces history. At least 49 other soldiers were rescued with injuries and survived the fiery noontime crash into a coconut grove outside the Jolo airport in Sulu province, including some who managed to jump off the aircraft before it exploded and was gutted by fire, military officials said. Three of seven villagers who were hit on the ground died. The aircraft had 96 people on board, including three pilots and five crew while the rest were army personnel, the military said, adding only five soldiers remained unaccounted for late Sunday. The pilots survived but were seriously injured, officials said. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was one of two ex-U.S. Air Force aircraft handed over to the Philippines as part of military assistance this year. The aircraft originally took off from Manila with only a few passengers, including a two-star army general, Romeo Brawner Jr., who disembarked with his wife and three children in Cagayan de Oro city, where hes set to become the new military regional commander on Monday. The army troops then boarded the C-130 in Cagayan de Oro for the flight to Sulu. Brawner said he was stunned to learn that the plane hed just flown on had crashed. Were very thankful that we were spared, but extremely sad that so many lost their lives, Brawner told The Associated Press. Officials said the injured personnel were brought to a hospital in Sulu or flown to nearby Zamboanga city, and troops were continuing to search for the missing. A number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash, a military statement said, citing witnesses. Initial pictures released by the military showed the tail section of the cargo plane relatively intact. The other parts of the plane were burned or scattered in pieces in a clearing surrounded by coconut trees. Soldiers and other rescuers with stretchers were seen dashing to and from the smoke-shrouded crash site, where a dark gray smoke billowed shortly after impact. The plane was transporting troops, many of them new soldiers who had just undergone basic training, from the southern Cagayan de Oro city for deployment in Sulu, officials said. They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism, Sulu military commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said. Government forces have been battling Abu Sayyaf militants in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu for decades. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash. Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan said it was unlikely that the aircraft took hostile fire, and cited witnesses as saying that it appeared to have overshot the runway then crashed on the periphery of the airport. Military chief of staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana told reporters that the plane missed the runway and it was trying to regain power but failed and crashed. An air force official told The AP that the Jolo runway is shorter than most others in the country, making it more difficult for pilots to adjust if an aircraft misses the landing spot. The official, who has flown military aircraft to and from Jolo several times, spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. Initial pictures showed that the weather was apparently fine in Sulu, although other parts of the Philippines were experiencing rains due to an approaching tropical depression. The airport in Sulus main town of Jolo is located a few kilometers (miles) from a mountainous area where troops have battled Abu Sayyaf militants. Some militants have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group. The U.S. and the Philippines have separately blacklisted Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organization for bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. Its been considerably weakened by years of government offensives but remains a threat. President Rodrigo Duterte expanded the military presence in Sulu to a full division in late 2018, deploying hundreds of additional troops, air force aircraft and other combat equipment after vowing to wipe out Abu Sayyaf and allied foreign and local militants. Government forces at the time were pursuing Muslim armed groups a year after quelling the five-month siege of southern Marawi city by hundreds of militants linked to the Islamic State group. More than 1,000 people, mostly militants and long-elusive Abu Sayyaf commanders, were killed in months of intense air and ground assaults. Sundays crash comes as the limited number of military aircraft has been further strained, as the air force helped transport medical supplies, vaccines and protective equipment to far-flung island provinces amid spikes in COVID-19 infections. The Philippine air force has a history of tragic disasters. One of its aircraft crashed in a rice field north of Manila in 1971, killing 40 military personnel. A recently delivered S-701 Blackhawk helicopter crashed more than a week ago near Clark freeport, a former U.S. air base, killing all six air force personnel on board. The Philippine government has struggled for years to modernize its military, one of Asias least equipped, as it dealt with decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies and territorial rifts with China and other claimant countries in the South China Sea. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... TIGNES, France Defending champion Tadej Pogacar kept control of the Tour de France on a rain-soaked second day in the Alps as a crash-filled opening week took its toll on rivals on Sunday. Im sure a lot of guys suffered today, said Pogacar, who retained the race leaders yellow jersey by responding when required in the ninth stage. Both last years runner-up Primoz Roglic and former overall leader Mathieu van der Poel dropped out of the race before the grueling 144.9-kilometer (90-mile) route from Cluses to Tignes. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Australian rider Ben OConnor won the stage after launching a solo break with 17 kilometers to go. Sergio Higuita was unable to follow the 25-year-old as OConnor powered up the Col du Pre for the finish at Tignes. OConnor struggled to fight back tears after his first tour win. Just to be taking part on the Tour de France in the first place is a dream. Then to achieve a victory like this one is excellent, a great reward to everyone who has supported me over the years, OConnor said. Its been a wild ride. OConnor finished more than five minutes ahead of Mattia Cattaneo and Sonny Colbrelli. Pogacar responded to a late attack by Richard Carapaz to defend his overall lead by finishing sixth, just over six minutes behind OConnor. UAE Team Emirates rider Pogacar has a lead of 2:01 over OConnor in the general classification ahead of the first rest day on Monday. Pogacar had doubts toward the end of the stage. I was scared that I might lose the yellow jersey just the day before the rest day, Pogacar said. Im happy to keep it. Van der Poel held the yellow jersey for six days but relinquished it to Pogacar on Saturday. We decided with the team that its in my best interests to quit the race and focus on the Olympics now, the Dutch rider said after pulling out. Roglic crashed badly during Mondays third stage in the western Brittany region and had been struggling since. The Jumbo-Visma team said the Slovenian rider would focus on new goals. We took the decision all together with the team, it doesnt make sense to continue, Roglic said. Roglic performed well in Fridays time trial, but suffered in the 151-kilometer (94-mile) route from Oyonnax to Le Grand-Bornand on Saturday, when Pogacar seized control of the race. Roglic was already almost 40 minutes behind his compatriot before Sundays stage. Roglic said he surprised himself in the time trial but doubts returned in the first mountain stage Saturday when he was in a lot of pain. Its just too much for my body at the moment and yeah, I cannot race, the 31-year-old said. Im disappointed. I didnt plan it to be the way it is, but in the end, I have to accept it. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. Colorados main east-west highway reopened after being closed by mudslides on a busy holiday travel weekend. Westbound Interstate 70 reopened in western Colorado early Sunday after rain released flash floods and mudslides onto the highway Saturday afternoon, The Denver Post reported. An almost 50-mile (80-kilometer) section of eastbound I-70 in the area of Glenwood Springs reopened Sunday afternoon, highway officials said. The mudslides happened near a 2020 wildfire that burned about 51 square miles (132 square kilometers), stripping mountainsides of vegetation. Highway officials had warned that more rain could mean new mudslides and closures after mudslides blocked I-70 June 26-28. Drivers faced the option of waiting for the highway to reopen or making a four-hour detour. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Instagram Celebrity The original 'Beverly Hills, 90210' actress is reportedly supporting 'The Nanny' star to succeed her as the new president of the SAG-AFTRA union as she stepped down after two terms. Jul 4, 2021 AceShowbiz - Actress Gabrielle Carteris is reportedly endorsing former "The Nanny" star Fran Drescher to take over as president of the SAG-AFTRA union after deciding to step down after two terms. The original "Beverly Hills, 90210" castmember previously overcame a challenge by Matthew Modine to secure a second term in the top leadership post in 2019, but she will not run for a third time. According to Deadline, she is instead planning to back Drescher, who is said to be representing the Unite for Strength party, which has been in power since 2009. However, if Drescher does throw her hat into the ring, she will face a battle with Modine, the head of the anti-union party Membership First, who has recruited actress Joely Fisher as his running mate. Representatives for Carteris and Drescher have yet to comment on the news, but the official list of candidates for the top union job will be released next week (begs05Jul21), ahead of a summer election. SAG-AFTRA, much like Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy organizations, was not without controversy. Last year, Hilary Swank launched a lawsuit against the group. The actress slammed them for their "barbaric" treatment after the board of trustees for the health plan denied to cover her treatment for malignant ovarian cysts in 2015. "SAG/AFTRA Healthplan claim they treat and protect all their members equally. I don't believe this is true. If you're a woman suffering from female health issues, I have no doubt you'll agree with me. If you're a man, ask your mother, your daughter, your sister, or a girlfriend," she stated. SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. The Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office said on Saturday that they arrested 14 people for entering and refusing to leave the Lava Fire evacuation zone in and around the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. According to the Sheriffs Office, those arrests included a man who pushed a county employee with a vehicle and ran a roadblock. The Sheriffs Office also said that because their resources are focused on protecting life and property, it is extremely challenging when people intentionally disobey orders and interfere with operations. They said this kind of activity slows down the progress of containing fires and interferes with safety measures. If areas are under evacuation order, it is imperative to stay out of the area for our own safety and the safety of those working in the area, the Sheriffs Office reiterated on Saturday. An officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred earlier in the week at the same location the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision. The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday that officers shot and killed a man during evacuations prompted by the Lava Fire in the subdivision, which is an area increasingly notorious for the proliferation of marijuana grows and a corresponding crackdown by the County. According to the Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers were assisting in evacuations from the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision on Monday evening, shortly after 8:30 p.m., due to the Lava Fire's rapid wind-driven expansion to the north. Firefighters were staging at the intersection of Shasta Vista Drive and County Road A-12 while officers assisted motorists at the intersection. Law enforcement had closed the southbound lane of County Road A-12 to stop any traffic from entering Mount Shasta Vista, now under a mandatory evacuation order. Officers were directing traffic north along the road toward Grenada. The Sheriff's Office said that the driver of a GMC pickup starting approaching County Road A-12 from Shasta Vista Drive, and officers directed the driver to turn north, away from the evacuation zone. According to the agency, the GMC driver ignored those directions and started heading southbound. "While the law enforcement officer was communicating with the driver, the driver raised his hand and pointed a semi-auto handgun at the officers," the Sheriff's Office said. Officers from the Sheriff's Office, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Etna Police Department all opened fire at the driver, killing him. "Fire personnel quickly administered medical aid to the driver of the vehicle; however, he did not recover, and was pronounced dead at the scene," the agency continued. The Sheriff's Office statement said that the driver "may have fired several rounds" at the officers prior to them opening fire based on the initial information from the scene. All of the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Critical Incident Team, led by the Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office, conducts an investigation. The Sheriff's Office issued evacuations for the Mount Shasta Vista area on Monday afternoon as the Lava Fire surged northward. RED BLUFF, Calif. A kayaking incident on the Sacramento River near China Rapids has caused the disappearance of a recreational boater, according to Tehama County Sheriff's Office. On Friday at approximately 10:08 a.m. the Tehama County Sheriffs Office responded to the China Rapid area of Red Bluff to investigate a reported boating accident. Deputies determined a kayak overturned in the rapids and the operator of the kayak was unable to stay on top of the water. The man was kayaking with a friend who threw a personal flotation device at him as he was not wearing one at the time. Officers said the man did have one in his kayak but was not wearing it. The man was eventually pulled under the water. A search of the area was unsuccessful. The victims family is being notified before the Sheriffs Office will release the name of the missing person, who is presumed to have drowned. Searchers included the California Highway Patrol Air Unit, the CAL FIRE Air Unit, CAL FIRE ground personnel, and the Sheriffs Office Boating Safety Unit. REDDING, Calif. Early Sunday morning a back porch fire spread into a home on the 1900 block of Kenyon Drive, destroying more than half of a single-story two-bedroom home, according to the Redding Fire Department. The Redding Fire Department responded shortly after 6:30 a.m. Only one person was living in the home and that person was able to escape the fire. Firefighters said they made an aggressive fire attack and were able to contain the fire to the back of the home within approximately 20 minutes. The cause of the fire was determined to be an overloaded electrical circuit. The Redding Fire Department issued a safety message suggesting that electrical cords should be plugged directly into outlets instead of power strips for safety. CHICO, Calif. - Crews are on scene right now of a fire at the Stadium Village near Chico State on the 700 block of Nord Ave. The residents of one apartment were told to evacuate since the fire was so close. We are working to learn more about what caused the fire, as well as if there are any injuries. Action News Now has someone on the scene right now. PERRYVILLE, Mo. On a June afternoon at the American Tractor Museum, Kenny Buchheit was in his element, talking with visitors and sharing information about tractors. He started collecting old tractors about 21 years ago, and last August he and his family opened his museum in Perryville. His tractor collecting got started in a fairly simple fashion. Me and my friend took a road trip and came home with a tractor, he says. Buchheit is a second-generation owner of Buchheit Enterprises, a retail business that includes farm and ranch products, building materials, and manufactures feed and grain. He says he enjoys collecting rarer makes and models of tractors and preserving that part of farm history. We have companies that their names disappeared, Buchheit says. We have John Deere and a couple Internationals, but everything else is different. He says having the variety of tractors and including companies people may not know much about is a way to help remember days gone by on the farm. Its historical preservation and honoring those who came before us, Buchheit says. I like the unique stuff. One such tractor with a manufacturer name from long ago is a Heider 6-10. The Heider Manufacturing Company began in 1911 in Carroll, Iowa. Heider was bought out by the Rock Island Plowing Company in 1916, but they continued to use the Heider name until 1927. The tractor in the museum has both the Heider and Rock Island nameplates, and it is a style that was built from 1918 to 1926. SPIRITWOOD, N.D. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) plans to build the states first-ever soybean crush plant and refinery in the former Cargill Malt plant near Jamestown, N.D. At capacity, ADM plans to crush around 150,000 bushels of soybeans a day in the $350 million crush plant, or about 1.6 million acres. That is almost a third of the 5.7 million acres we produced in 2020 at the average of 33.5 bushels per acre. That is a lot, said Dave Ripplinger, NDSU Extension bioproducts/bioenergy economist. Soybean growers in the state are excited about the opportunity to have their beans crushed in the state they grow them in. Were pretty excited about the crush plant in Spiritwood. Soybean farmers in this state have been dreaming about a crush plant for 10 years for their soybeans, said Austin Langley, chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council, who farms with his father south of Devils Lake. At their farm, they raise soybeans, corn, sunflowers and wheat. ADM plans to begin demolition on the facility this summer, with construction on the soybean crush plant to begin by the end of September. The plant will be finished and start receiving its first soybeans prior to harvest in 2023. North Dakota is the ninth largest soybean producer in the nation. There is room to grow in the state with soybeans. Weve gone from literally not very many beans in the 1990s to now over 6 million acres, Langley said. There is nowhere to go but up with increased acreage. You see that with the growth in beans in western North Dakota and in the Canadian Prairies. https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Ilhan-Omar-Has-a-Problem-with-Jews.html It's high time to address Rep. Omar's pattern of offensive commentary. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has a Jewish problem. Despite her repeated denials and the rush to circle the wagons from some left-wing Jews, there's an undeniable pattern. The latest iteration came earlier this week, when Omar was asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about her past statements. "Do you understand why some of your fellow House Democrats, especially Jews, find that language antisemitic?" Tapper asked. "I've welcomed, you know, anytime my colleagues have asked to have a conversation, to learn from them, for them to learn from me," Rep. Omar replied. "I think it's really important for these members to realize that they haven't been partners in justice. They haven't been, you know, equally engaging in seeking justice around the world." Some of the statements Tapper was alluding to came just three weeks ago, when Omar put the U.S., Israel, Hamas, and the Taliban in the same boat. It prompted 12 Jewish members of Congress, all from her party (presumably her missing "partners in justice") to condemn her comments, calling them "offensive" and "misguided." That, in turn, triggered a response from Omar's spokesman, Jeremy Slevin: "As usual, the far right is ginning up hate against Rep. Omar," he tweeted. The "far right" in this case were Representatives Jake Auchincloss, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Josh Gottheimer, Elaine Luria, Kathy Manning, Jerry Nadler, Dean Phillips, Brad Schneider, Kim Schrier, Brad Sherman, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. All are liberal Democrats who have made the pursuit of justice central to their political biographies. Of course, Omar's record of trafficking in incendiary, antisemitic comments about Israel, the U.S.-Israel relationship, and American supporters of Israel goes back nearly a decade. Each time, more or less the same pattern follows the initial outburst: First, she (or someone on her behalf) insists she was misunderstood or her comments taken out of context, though those comments, whether in the form of tweets, interviews, or statements, are all a matter of public record. Then, rather than debate the merits of the issue, she and her defenders resort to belittling anyone who would question her as a "right-winger," "racist," "misogynist," or "Islamophobe." In other words, she undermines any possible merit to the criticism by rendering the critic totally out of bounds. Next, she offers vague assurances that she really wants to listen, learn, and grow from any possible incidents, offering those who want to move on as swiftly as possible the hope that perhaps this won't happen again until, of course, it does. Finally, she uses her life story as the ultimate arbiter of what constitutes justice, accountability, and human dignity, as if no one else in Congress could possibly have a comparable right to address and adjudicate those noble themes. These steps all followed yet again after her interview with Tapper. After accusing critics of "demonizing voices for justice," Omar did her classic non-apology walk back, discovering the Jewish penchant for pursuing justice in a long tweet thread on Wednesday. By now, the pattern is too clear to ignore. Ultimately, of course, the future of Omar is up to the voters in Minnesota's 5th congressional district. They have elected her twice, in 2018 and 2020. But in the meantime, she poses a challenge for her party. Despite the criticism, Omar clearly thinks that, together with a handful of ideological bedfellows in Congress, she can continue to be a thorn in the side of Democratic Party leadership, believing presumably the future belongs to them. And it's clear that she may not be entirely wrong. Even after her infamous antisemitic tweets in her first term, an effort on the House floor to condemn her by name ended up failing, replaced by language so generalized and anodyne that even she could vote for it. That was followed by an endorsement for re-election by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, despite a primary challenge in Omar's district and a donation to her campaign war chest. Meanwhile, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican elected to the House in 2020, was quickly and appropriately stripped of her committee assignments when it became clear she was a consumer and distributor of bizarre conspiracy theories, including one linking Jews and space lasers. Omar, though, remains on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she today carries the title of Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights. It's high time to address Rep. Omar's pattern of offensive commentary. Her party also needs to address Omar's selective outrage when it comes to her repeated assertions of moral authority. When the House of Representatives overwhelmingly adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which resulted in the systematic murder of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkey a century ago, Omar opted out by voting "present." In other words, she was unwilling to acknowledge one of the greatest human tragedies of the 20th century. Why? Well, it seems, she has a soft spot for Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which also may explain why she refused to join the vast majority of her congressional colleagues in condemning the Turkish leader's consistently egregious human rights violations. And she's not exactly been outspoken, to say the least, when it comes to the decade-long tragedy in Syria, in which hundreds of thousands have been slain and millions exiled, or in Iran, where dissidents, gays, religious minorities, and feminists have been dealt with harshly on a daily basis. But there's one final irony to the Omar story. While she rails against those Jews in Congress as failing to be "partners in justice," it's actually Jews, both past and present, who have been among the most vocal and consistent supporters of some of the issues she claims top her list. In fact, but for a Jewish House member from New York named Emanuel Celler, people like Omar and her family might not have even been admitted to the United States. As Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Celler spent literally decades seeking to overturn America's exclusionary and racist immigration policy. The Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965, supported by organizations like American Jewish Committee, did just that. Had it not passed, it would have been possible that a refugee family from Somalia or anywhere else in Africa might not have been given a new start in America, much less the life-changing chance to be elected a member of Congress only 23 years after her arrival in this country. There should be clear-cut consequences for any member of Congress, of either party, responsible for a growing list of unambiguously bigoted comments. In the case of Congresswoman Omar, will there be? This article originally appeared in Newsweek. https://www.aish.com/ho/p/Blue-Collar-Hero-Zanis-Lipke-of-Latvia.html With bravery and moral courage, a dock worker in Riga risked his life to save Latvian Jews. Some heroes of the Holocaust are ordinary people, such as Zanis (Janis) Lipke of Riga, Latvia, a blue-collar dock worker. Born in 1900, he left school after third grade but spoke Russian and German in addition to his native Latvian. A resourceful man, he would utilize his excellent people skills and love of adventure in his heroic future. His father, a rifleman, had been killed in battle during World War I. Zanis also became a rifleman in an artillery regiment before returning to Riga in 1920. He met and married Johanna Novicka and they became the parents of a daughter Aina and two sons Zigfrid and Alfred. From 1926 to 1940, Zanis worked as a laborer and dock worker at the port of Riga. He was industrious but turned to smuggling to supplement his meager income and was arrested. Later he joined the left-wing underground, hiding social democrats and communists in warehouses and in the holds of ships to save them from persecution by the government. This would foreshadow his risky life-saving adventures. The Lipke Family before the war He purchased a boat which was quickly confiscated by the German army when they invaded Latvia in 1941. Unlike many of his fellow Latvians who welcomed the Germans and eagerly pointed out Jewish homes, Zanis was horrified by the raids in which Jews were hunted down, shot in the streets or executed in the forests. Over 30,000 Jews in Latvia were killed, mostly children, women and the elderly. The ghetto was a gruesome sight littered with their bodies. "My father and I were standing in front of the barbed wire around the ghetto. I was eight then," recalled Zigfrid, Zanis' younger son. "I always remember my father's voice which started to tremble and he said, 'You must never forget this, son,' as tears streamed down his face." Zanis decided to take a stand against the Nazi cruelty and save as many Jews as he could. He retrained as a contractor for the Luftwaffe (the German air force) and began working at the warehouses near the Riga ghetto where the Jewish inmates were also employed. Thanks to his good people skills, Zanis quickly earn the trust of his superiors. Placed in charge of transporting Jews to and from work, he implemented his life-saving plan by signing his name in a register under the number of people returning to the ghetto each evening. Riga, Latvia during the Holocaust The first person Zanis rescued was Chaim Smolyanski, a friend of the Lipkes who lived with his family in the ghetto. During the first months of the ghetto's existence when security was less strict, Zanis managed to save several Jews this way and also sent food and medicine to those still remaining in the ghetto. As the Holocaust escalated, he found it more difficult to save the workers. One day Zanis was stopped by the Nazis and accused of rescuing Jews, but thanks to his friends in the air force, he was released. Instead of feeling intimidated by the experience, Zanis was even more determined to continue his rescue efforts. His wife Johanna and older son Alfred hid several people in their own home, providing them with food, a radio set, weapons and ammunition. Zanis and his assistants constructed an underground bunker beneath the barn when it became too risky to hide seven extra people in his house. Despite the terrible danger, Zanis' friends and acquaintances also became involved in the rescue. They found reliable contacts willing to provide refuge in country houses and cellars in Riga. Figuring out people's weaknesses, Zanis would bribe guards and policemen with money, cigarettes or alcohol or distracted them with friendly conversation. His ability to speak fluent German and his innate bravery helped him survive highly perilous situations. Janis Lipke (R), his wife Johanna and children, 1957. In the autumn of 1943, the Nazis began liquidating the ghettos. One night Zanis came with a truck and helped a doctor escape through a hole in the ghettos fence. Together with his loyal assistant Karl Jankovsky, Zanis daringly stole a Nazi car containing machine guns, ammunition, explosives and travel permission documents. Later the same year, Zanis was transferred to a new position which permitted him to travel around Latvia on his own, enabling him to create a network of other underground shelters. In October, 1944, the Russian army was welcomed into Riga. Two months later, a large section of Latvia was freed of the Germans and placed under the Red Army's control. Zanis then worked in the garages of the Ministry of Forest Management but his life was still not trouble-free. Shortly after the war ended, he was summoned to the fearsome headquarters of the NKVD (Russian secret police) and interrogated about his son Alfred in the auxiliary service of the German Army. The Communists were also looking for supposedly hidden gold and diamonds, refusing to believe Zanis had saved Jews without any selfish motive. Alfred Lipke He finally lost his patience and told the interrogating officer that the Communists were thugs no better than the Germans. "The only difference is the Nazis shot at people looking them in the eye while the Communists did it surreptitiously in the back which is even more despicable!" he exclaimed. Zanis assumed he wouldnt be pardoned for his audacity but was surprisingly released and not questioned again. He and his wife Johanna were recognized as Righteous of the Nations by Yad Vashem in June, 1966 for saving the lives of about 40 Jews in Riga, out of the one hundred who managed to survive the war. Although the Communist government of Latvia tried to prevent the Lipkes from traveling to Israel to accept their award, the still-resourceful Zanis managed to get there and receive the honor they deserved. He insisted what he had done was simply the duty of any human being. If asked how many people he had saved, he simply replied, "I never counted them. I saved whoever I could save, I did not count." Speculation still remains about Zanis' motivation: was it his deep personal contempt for the German occupiers or his adventurous, daredevil nature? Others consider him an exceptionally good human being. Underground bunker Following several heart attacks, Zanis died on May 14, 1987. Like many other Righteous of the Nations, who heroically risked their lives to save others, he lived to a ripe old age - 87. The remaining Jews of Latvia came to honor him at his funeral. Today Zanis home is a museum in a tiny cul-de-sac tucked away from the river and main road. The Lipke Memorial is Riga's hidden museum, symbolic of its former existence. In the yard the underground bunker built by Zanis served as a hiding place for Jews rescued from the ghetto. Eight to twelve people used this 3x3 meter hole in the ground as a shelter, often for long periods of time. Zanis and Johanna Lipke, after their wedding Incredibly, the Germans never found this shelter, Zanis was never caught and his assistants were never betrayed. The architect designed the windowless gray building so the passage through the enclosed tunnel does not reveal the actual size of the museum. The basement level contains a concrete bunker in its original size with nine bunks. Visitors cannot enter the bunker but look down into it from the attic above, catching a glimpse of the dark, cold, cramped space which sheltered its frightened residents. On the attic level, several showcases explain the story of the Lipke family and the brave people who assisted in their rescue efforts. Last year an award-winning documentary film The Mover was made about Zanis Lipke by a Latvian director, Davis Simanis. A "When it comes to numbers, you think of a very well-known Jewish savior, like Oskar Schindler or others, who saved many thousands of people, Simanis reflected. "While they had certain abilities, or whether it was working in a professional field, or diplomacy or politics could help, in Zanis' case, he was someone who did not have any means or base for saving Jews He was no one, a person from nowhere. He had only his family and a few friends to assist him, together with his own tremendous courage. The film has the kind of message of humanizing heroism." https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Antisemitism-Isnt-Only-a-Jewish-Problem.html Instead of playing the role of the canary in the coal mine, we need to actively work to detect threats far before they harm us and our country. Throughout Jewish history in the diaspora, Jews lived at the mercy of local rulers and largely lacked the ability to defend themselves. Today, however, American Jews have established themselves as one of the most successful immigrant communities in the United States and they also have the State of Israel to rely upon. Yet, in the face of intensifying antisemitism too much focus has been placed on documenting, educating about, and objecting to antisemitic acts after they occur instead of going on the offense. Not enough resources are and were invested in holding antisemites directly accountable and creating consequences for their bigotry. Jew-hatred has become excusable and almost mainstream in America. During the latest IsraelHamas conflict, we witnessed Jews in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities were violently attacked by mobs of anti-Israel demonstrators. In a shocking development many would never have thought possible within living memory of the Holocaust, many Jews in America now fear walking on the streets wearing articles or items that readily identify them as Jewish. There has been outrage against the recent acts of violence against American Jews, but BDS movement and other antisemitic groups are only gaining strength. There has been outrage against growing antisemitism on mainstream media and social media, but the bias against Jews and the State of Israel is just exploding. There has outrage against legislators Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib for promoting antisemitic tropes, but theyve been let off with only a light slap on the wrist. Some of this inaction can be explained by the false sense of security many American Jews cling to despite the alarming rise in hatred and violence toward Jews in America. However, most Jews and other Americans fail to appreciate that antisemitism is not just a problem for Jews; antisemitism is an issue for all Americans and threatens to destroy the American way of life. The goal of the radical groups who espouse antisemitism the radical left, the radical right, radical Muslims, and radical African Americans of Louis Farrakhans Nation of Islam or the Black Hebrew Israelites is not just to eradicate all Jews but mainly to destroy America as we know it. But, since Jews are the direct target of antisemitism, other Americans perceive Jew-hatred as a uniquely Jewish problem and fail to realize that defining antisemitism as a Jewish problem has long been a lose-lose proposition. These radical groups are spearheading efforts to erode the core principles that make our country exceptional. Collectively, these extremist groups reject the Judeo-Christian values that have supported the foundation of our country and have protected all minority communities in America, including Jews. If we dont take new, pro-active approaches, rising antisemitic attacks and public displays of hate will continue to come from these radical movements. If we, as American Jews, are truly ready to subdue this hate, we must start fighting Jew-hatred head-on together with our fellow Americans. We will lose as Jews and as Americans if we continue accepting our prescribed role as the sacrificial canary in the coal mine, hoping that others may recognize the danger after it has already consumed us whole. Instead, we need to actively work to detect threats far before they harm us and our country. There are practical actions we must take to go on the offensive against antisemitism. They include: investigating and exposing the radical movements that fuel the spread of this hatred by identifying their networks, financing and agendas; increasing knowledge-sharing capabilities that inform the American people about the threats and empower them to take action; holding the media accountable to the standards of a fair and free press; supporting legislation that curbs the influence of the radical movements in our institutions Rather than bemoaning the problem, it is time for all Americans to fight against this hatred and racism and for Jews to stand at the forefront of this fight. Our history and the increasingly precarious reality demonstrate that the inalienable rights afforded by the Constitution cannot be taken for granted. We must uncompromisingly, bravely, and adamantly defend America from the dangers of antisemitism and the extremism it represents. Photo credit: Angelica Ribeiro, Unsplash https://www.aish.com/tp/i/gl/The-Rashness-of-the-Tribes-of-Gad-and-Reuven.html In this weeks Torah Portion, the Tribes of Gad approach Moshe, asking that he allow them to remain in the Jordan Valley, outside of the land of Israel, where there is sufficient land for them to farm their large flocks. Moshe replies with a strong rebuke his main point of criticism was that by not entering the land of Israel they would be abandoning their brethren in the upcoming conquest. In a lengthy passage, Moshe ominously reminds them of the incident of the spies and its terrible consequences. In reply to Moshes criticisms, the Tribes of Gad and Reuven say that they would join the rest of the nation in conquering the land. The Sages add that Moshe also implicitly rebuked them for mentioning their flocks before their children, indicating that their priorities were wrong, and that they should first focus on their children, and only then worry about their flocks. The Midrash also points out that many years later, the Tribes of Gad and Reuven were the first to be exiled as a consequence of their desire to stay in the Jordan Valley1, and cites a verse in Proverbs: A rushed inheritance comes first, and its end is not blessed2. Rashi3 explains that this verse refers to the Tribes of Gad and Reuven because they acted rashly by hurrying to take the land of the Jordan valley first, and as a result of their rashness they ended up being the first to be exiled. Hence, the verse means that because their beginning was rushed, the final consequences of their actions were negative. Thus, we learn, that as well as their wrong priorities with regard to their children and flocks, the Tribes of Gad and Reuven were also hindered by the trait of rashness. This trait is demonstrated in Reuven himself in the incident in Vayishlach, where he disturbed Yaakovs bed4. When blessing his sons, Yaakov reproves him for his trait of impetuosity and rashness that were the root cause of his actions. In addition, Yaakov stripped Reuven of the three privileges that go to the first-born the Kingship, Priesthood, and double portion of the first-born. The Shivtei Yisrael5 observes a common denominator between the tribes of Gad and Reuven.6 He points out that they are both first-borns from their respective mothers, and notes that first-borns are perhaps more prone to the trait of rashness, because of their status. First-borns are used to receiving things first, and therefore may find it difficult to wait. He suggests that it was this shared trait that led to these tribes in particular to react the way they did when they saw the Jordan Valley. The other tribes were willing to wait and see the wonderful land that awaited them on the other side of the Jordan river. But the Tribes of Gad and Reuven saw good grazing land and said, "Let's grab it!" Chazal were critical of this attitude. The Shivtei Yisrael proposes further that the impetuousness of these tribes cost them an annual Mitzva. The Mishnah teaches that one may not bring bikkurim (first fruit) from the Jordan Valley. The Mei Shiloach teaches that the significance of the first fruit is that a farmer spends his entire year working his field, waiting for his fruit to start growing. When they finally do start to appear on the trees, the farmer might be tempted to rush out to the field and grab them. The Torah tells him, that the first fruit must be given to the Kohen, and he has to wait before he can take the fruit for himself. Hence, part of the message of the bikkurim, then, is to learn to be patient. Perhaps, write the Shivtei Yisrael, those on the Jordan Valley were not allowed to bring bikkurim because the trait that placed them there was the impatience that bikkurim is meant to counteract. Interestingly, one of the more maligned characters in the Torah can teach us a lesson about the importance of patience and avoiding rash decisions. Korach is described by the Sages as a pikayach7 (smart person) and Rabbi Yissachar Frand suggests a source for this particular adjective. When analyzing the story of Korach, a difficulty emerges: The Rabbis tell us that the real reason that Korach embarked on his dispute with Moshe was that he was upset when Elsiphan ben Uziel was appointed the Nasi of the Tribe of Levi ahead of him, even though Korach was from an older family8. However, this took place significantly earlier than when Korach actually began to attack Moshe. Why did he wait until now? The answer is that Korach realized that it would be very difficult to incite the people against Moshe and he recognized that he would have much more chance of success if the people were already somewhat discontented. This indeed occurred after the episode of the spies, when the people were decreed forty years in the desert. Korach saw that then the time was ripe to sow discord with Moshe. This is why he was a smart person a smart person does not rush into his decisions, rather he chooses the optimum time when he is most likely to succeed9. Sadly, Korachs smartness was used in the wrong way, but this does not take away from the example it can provide, and it contrasts with the rushed decision of the Tribes of Gad and Reuven. May we merit to develop the traits of patience. Lake Charles, Louisiana (70615) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low around 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Our armed forces are being led by people not tethered to reality. In testimony before Congress recently, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff defended Critical Race Theory. He said he wants to understand white rage. He thinks he is a well-read critical thinker. If General Milley genuinely wants to understand himself better, I recommend White Guilt by Shelby Steele. Critical Race Theory, diversity ideology, radical feminism, and other woke nonsense are devastating military lethality and readiness. Even though the beginnings of this trend go back decades, the denial of the differences between the sexes, and the more radical outgrowths of those false ideas, have become more intense than ever. As the army of Communist China seeks to make its soldiers more masculine, our army seeks to attract more women and fewer men. This trend has been chronicled, and its grave damage explained, by Brian Mitchell (Women in the Military, 1998), Stephanie Gutmann (The Kinder, Gentler Military, 2000), Kingsley Browne (Co-Ed Combat, 2007), Robert L. Maginnis (Deadly Consequences, 2013), and James Hasson (Stand Down, 2019). The argument against women in combat roles, and in-theater combat support roles, is simply overwhelming. We can no longer be squeamish about identifying those parts of the armed forces where the presence of women damages unit cohesion, lethality, and readiness. The Defense Department should be led by people who understand this and will push back on policies that have no factual basis but are grounded in pure leftist ideology. The White House legislative operation needs that kind of wisdom as well. Prospective appointees for 2025 must be committed to rooting out Critical Race Theory (CRT) wherever it exists in the federal government. Any program that uses terms like diversity, inclusion, or equity is derived from Marxist critical theory and is intended to bring division by replacing individual excellence with identity group "equity." As with the term infrastructure, the left has tried to redefine equity as something quite different from the longstanding definition. This year, Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier of the U.S. Space Force wrote an incredible, concise book that manages to trace the history of CRT from its Marxist, and pre-Marxist, origins; contrast it with the American ideal; and disclose how it is spreading through the Defense Department along with the rest of American culture. He gives us the chilling similarities, although muted, to the Cultural Revolution in Communist China in the 1960s. His book, Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military, should be read by every person appointed in the next administration. The Trump campaign transition planning in 2016 and the subsequent White House personnel operation had many problems. It recruited too many "content-free Republicans" and made other critical mistakes. The story was told well last December by Rachel Bovard at the American Conservative. As a conservative Trump appointee in the Pentagon, I can say Rachel's account is consistent with my experience. I will leave it at that. That President Trump had one of the two most successful presidencies since Theodore Roosevelt is a testament to his ability to drive policy despite a shortage of loyal appointees. It is often said that "personnel is policy." Now is the time to start identifying the people who will faithfully and competently serve the next president. And not just Senate-confirmed personnel, but all the approximately 4,000 people who serve at the pleasure of the president (300400 at the Pentagon). They should all be aligned with the next president's policy. One way to vet personnel for manpower and personnel appointments at the Pentagon is familiarity and agreement with the conclusions of the books mentioned here. Early, serious personnel planning for the next presidential administration is urgent. By the end of 2024, the United States may be close to being in extremis. The next administration will have to move quickly to avert disaster. If there is any silver lining in the present national crisis, it is we have the time and understanding to avoid the personnel mistakes of 2017. Although very competent and credentialed people were appointed to Cabinet, sub-Cabinet, and lesser positions, many did not pursue President Trump's policy with enthusiasm or zeal. Some actively worked to frustrate it. Some were deceitfully disloyal. We do not have to go through the list. In Wellington, Ohio, President Trump distinguished between the real generals and the woke generals. The Defense Department needs the kind of shake-up the War Department got in the years prior to Pearl Harbor. Legislation may be required to give the next administration the authority to elevate the real officers over the woke officers so we are able to deter, or win, a war against a peer adversary. The issues are different, but the changes needed are as dramatic as George C. Marshall rising in three years from a colonel in command of a brigade on September 1, 1936, to the four-star chief of staff of the Army on September 1, 1939, and the transformational changes he immediately set forth to bring to the Army. (See the Army War College publication Senior Officer Talent Management for a good, short description of that time.) As Lt. Col. Lohmeier warns, a defense leadership, military and civilian, that not only becomes political, but, wittingly or unwittingly, comes under the spell of Marxism, is an existential danger to the survival of freedom. Or as the late Professor Samuel P. Huntington wrote in 1957 (The Soldier and the State, p. 464): A political officer corps, rent with faction, subordinated to ulterior ends, lacking prestige but sensitive to the appeals of popularity, would endanger the security of the state. A strong, integrated, highly professional officer corps, on the other hand, immune to politics and respected for its military character, would be a steadying balance wheel in the conduct of policy. Now is the time to start assembling the team to help the next president save American freedom and national security. We do not have a moment to lose. Peter Knickerbocker served in the Trump administration at the Department of Defense. Image via the Department of Defense. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Two hundred and forty-five years ago, the brave Founders of this nation declared their independence from the rule of George III, the monarch of Great Britain. In so doing they declared -- and put at risk -- their lives, liberty, and fortunes -- to stand for freedom and self-determination. Looking at the weeks news its easy to see why many of us feel the liberty they fought for and enshrined in the Constitution that followed is slipping away at the hands of vocal minorities who have captured the media, Big Tech, the education establishment, the federal executive branch, and even the military. By way of example, we learned that in San Diego one unit of the Navy -- a military branch in recent years rife with incompetence just as it looks that we will most need it -- was forced to take a mandatory diversity hike for Pride Month waving LGBT flags. This is not the first time members of this unit were forced to support this stuff against their free speech rights. In April the males in one battalion of the unit were compelled to pose with signs which read No more rape. Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit THREE ZERO THREE Mainbody about 3 months ago April is Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) month, and CBMU 303 takes part of the No More _______ campaign. Raising awareness and ensuring a healthy and safe environment for its Sailors. #SAAM #SAAPM This WOKE nonsense comes from the very top of the military hierarchy: While attempting to deny the claim, [General Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff] actually did everything to confirm it was true while also insisting he wanted to understand white rage, a concept invented by left-wing extremists as part of Critical Race Theory to denigrate white people. As we highlighted last week, Nellis Air Force base responded to controversy about a drag queen show hosted by the base by saying the performance was essential to the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the military. Attempts by the woke cult to subvert the military began under the Obama administration, during which in some instances cadets were made to take part in an event called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, which sought to raise awareness for sexual assault victims by having men wearing Army Combat Uniforms parade around in red high heels. Is a willingness to submit to humiliation and hostility now the price white males must pay to join our military? You know, the very people who have historically paid the highest cost in battle injuries and deaths to further our defense. Its Not Just the Military, Its the FBI and DoJ The FBI is now apparently fully captured by those who would deprive us of the right to free speech, and the people most hurt by this seem to be those most naive about the probity of that institution -- foolishly speaking to FBI agents without counsel in the belief they were helping honest law enforcement. Julie Kelly has been documenting their actions and calls for defunding the agency. Here are a few examples of the agencys jihad against anyone who attended the January 6 rally, a rally the Democrats have played to the hilt as armed insurrection warranting extreme reactions. Again it comes from the top: Attorney General Merrick Garland who bragged in a press release that his department reached the benchmark of arresting 500 people and whose prosecutors routinely ask the courts to keep the accused behind bars awaiting trials that wont start until late this year or perhaps even 2022. Apart from the extraordinary pretrial detention for minor crimes, the defendants are being bled dry from being unemployed, far from home, and emotional support. FBI Director Christopher Wray is a willing accomplice to Garland. Here is the crime which will probably cost 69-year-old Lois Lynn McNicoll her job: A little before 3:00 p.m. on January 6, McNicoll entered the Capitol building through an open door. Surveillance video captured by the U.S. Capitol Police security system -- more than 14,000 hours of footage to which only the government and a few congressional committees have access -- shows McNicoll taking a few photos inside the building. After being ushered out of the building by police, she exited the complex about 30 minutes later. McNicoll didnt vandalize anything, she didnt steal anything, she didnt attack anyone. Its not even clear whether she spoke to anyone; it appears as though she went in the building alone. But Dale claimed there is probable cause to conclude McNicoll committed at least four federal offenses during her half-hour crime spree. This includes trespassing and willfully and knowingly utter[ing] loud, threatening, or abusive language, or engage[ing] in disorderly or disruptive conduct, at any place in the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings with the intent to impede, disrupt, or disturb the orderly conduct of a session of Congress. I told you years ago during the Scooter Libby case that FBI agents are never to be trusted. Never speak to one without counsel present and an independent video of the interrogation. Like Libby, McNicoll didnt heed that advice, believing shed done nothing wrong she consented to an interview without counsel. Its not just the phony-baloney charges the FBI is creating, they are utilizing tactics designed to terrorize law-abiding citizens who supported President Trump on January 6. Julie Kelly gives a number of hair-raising examples, heres one about a 9:30 p.m. Sunday raid on a home of a defendant in front of a young child: Twenty agents showed up with weapons drawn to arrest him and ransack the house. She was taken into a separate room -- the couple did not ask to have an attorney present -- where she was interrogated by three FBI agents. They asked her who they voted for and which political party they identified with. The agents grilled her about what news channels they watched and their views on immigration, including the border wall. She was asked if they followed QAnon. (The FBI has given lawmakers a report titled Adherence to QAnon Conspiracy Theory by Some Domestic Violent Extremists, which claims the participation of some domestic violent extremists (DVE) who are also self-identified QAnon adherents in the violent siege of the US Capitol on 6 January underscores how the current environment likely will continue to act as a catalyst for some to begin accepting the legitimacy of violent action.) The FBI agents asked her if she belonged to a group such as the Oath Keepers or Three Percenters. She told me she had no idea what they were talking about. Obviously it was stupid to talk to the FBI, but were not criminals, we werent hiding anything, [and] I knew he did nothing wrong that day, she told me by text. Id like to think I answered their questions wisely and honestly but now I realize... how they turn everything against you. Most of the questions I answered I dont know or I cant remember. I feel so stupid!!! If you do not yet recognize what I and Julie Kelly have been telling you -- that the FBI is a threat to civil liberties and the rule of law, you may find yourself someday soon in the same position for lawfully exercising your freedoms. Big Tech Add to the federal governments overreach the Big Tech move to enforce views with which they agree and unperson those whose views are in conflict. This weeks person brushed from public view was Robert Malone, the mRNA vaccine pioneer who warned about heart inflammation in younger male adults vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Silencing him and blocking his warnings may cost lives. An online doctor of my acquaintance writes that because these dangers are not being publicized, patients are not being screened to determine if theyve been vaccinated by Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and treatment is being delayed for myocarditis which delay can be fatal. I believe I am seeing these patients. If this effects them negatively they have a death sentence. Myocarditis -- we are talking if symptoms ignored or delayed they lose their heart. That is not resolvable outside a transplant. I have also seen that vaccine status is not queried so when I get them I take major advocacy actions. If what I suspect is happening broadly then there are many more poor outcomes nationally. As politicized as CDC and even my hospital is we could be looking at something horrible. In sum, the insistence on blocking out alternative political and scientific views, instead of letting them out in the open to be debated and tested, is killing us and our hard-won liberty this year. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Classically-educated colonial Americans learned to be wary of monarchy from the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is very likely that, in July 1776, many Americans heard sermons based on the text of Psalm 143:6 -- Put not your trust in princes. One suspects that ministers used words even more harsh than those in the Declaration of Independence, where the present King of Great Britain was assailed for repeated injuries and usurpations, all having their direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. George III had been much admired by colonials. They had erected an equestrian statue to him in New Yorks Battery in 1770, but in what was probably our first statue take-down, it was toppled after the Declaration was read to Continental troops on July 9, 1776. Americans had blamed Parliament for the political crisis that began with the Stamp Act in 1765, and for the war which began in April 1775. They hoped to reform relations between colonies and Britain, Americans knew about many bad kings: John, Richard II, the Tudors, the Stuarts, and others, but Thomas Paines Common Sense, published in January 1776, argued that the problem was not the moral or intellectual weaknesses of individual kings; instead, the problem was monarchy itself, and the only solution was independence. Paines arguments were convincing, but Americans classical education prepared them for Common Sense. In Polybius, they learned about how the parts of government functioned. In Livy, they saw Romans establishing their republic by throwing off Etruscan King Tarquin. In Tacitus, they saw Queen Boudicca raising the Britons in rebellion against abusive Roman colonizers. In Homer, they were thrilled by accounts of battles in which bronze-age battlefield weapons inflicted mortal wounds in every way possible, but he also gave them a political education. The Iliad and the Odyssey show how harm can result when power is conferred by circumstances of birth. In the former poem the Greek army suffers harm from the presence of King Agamemnon; the latter, Ithaca suffers harm from the prolonged absence of King Odysseus. The Trojan War was caused by the need to satisfy royal honor: Helen, the wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta, had been taken away by Paris, prince of Troy; Troy refused to return her, so Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus and king of Mycenae, the leading Greek state, called on lesser kings to join his punitive war against Troy. Agamemnon sought to ensure victory by sacrificing his daughter, Iphigenia, but ten years have passed and Troy stands defiant, no doubt because of the incompetence of the supreme allied commander. In a merit-based army, Agamemnon would have been a lance corporal at the very most. The poems theme, the wrath of Achilles, was provoked by Agamemnon, who greatly dishonored Achilles. One must not dishonor a Greek hero, let alone a most capable subordinate. Having gone to war to defend his brothers honor, Agamemnon risks losing the war by dishonoring the commander of a major contingent in his army. Book I explains how this conflict began. Agamemnon had left Troy to take the Greeks on a booty-seeking raid on Chryse, an island some 35 miles west in the Aegean Sea. The operation eased pressure on Troy, and, in an application of the law of unintended consequences, led to tension between Agamemnon and Achilles. The Iliad begins as Chryses, a priest of Apollo and father of Chryseis, a girl who had been awarded to Agamemnon after the raid, comes to request her return. Although he offers treasures in compensation and the Greek soldiers see the justice of his appeal, Agamemnon ignores them, abuses Chryses, and unceremoniously evicts him although, according to custom, he should have been honored as a guest. Chryses responds with an appeal to Apollo, who sends a plague to the Greek camp. Days pass. Achilles summons an assembly of the Greek army to inquire into the cause of the plague and seek a remedy. A prophet, Calchas, knows the cause, but because his explanation would anger Agamemnon, he asks Achilles for protection. Achilles grants his request. Calchas reveals that Agamemnons mistreatment of Chryses caused the plague; it would end by returning Chryses. Agamemnon reluctantly agrees but demands compensation: Achilles prize from the raid, the girl Briseis. Achilles, publicly dishonored, angrily complies, but his wrath is aroused. He and his contingent will leave the army and sail home. Eventually, reconciliation eventually occurs but, first, we observe Agamemnons incompetence. Though a courageous fighter, he is no competent general. Agamemnon is boastful, vindictive, greedy for gain. He insults subordinates, often in front of their own men. Prudent he is not. Twice Agamemnon issues the order for the army to retreat to its ships and depart. The first time he foolishly decides to test the morale and obedience of the troops. Odysseus and other counselors prevent disaster. On the second occasion, Agamemnon has an all-is-lost panic attack. An assembly of the army follows the first run to the ships. A soldier, Thersites, rises to denounce Agamemnon. Although Odysseus beats him down, Homer has allowed this lowly dissident to attack the king in terms that none -- troops, nobles, or readers -- can dispute. One asks why the Greeks stood by Agamemnon for ten years in an inconclusive war. Only acceptance of the principle of monarchy explains it. Agamemnon possesses great formal power but he abuses it; without capable and loyal counselors, he would have lost all. And the final victory, the result of the Trojan Horse stratagem, was Odysseuss idea, not Agamemnons. We learn from the Odyssey that Agamemnon was assassinated on his return to Mycenae. One suspects that few Greeks mourned his passing. The Odyssey tells of Odysseuss ten-year return to Ithaca. In his absence, his palace has been taken over by 108 men, suitors for the hand of Penelope, his queen. Soon after she reluctantly agrees to select one, Odysseus returns in disguise. Telemachus, who was an infant when his father Odysseus departed, convenes the assembly for the first time since then. He rebukes the people for failing to act against the suitors, ungrateful guests who dishonored Odysseus by their uninhibited consumption of their kings food and drink. The assembly votes Telemachus funds for a ship to use in search of his father. Odysseus and Telemachus meet and attack the suitors in a scene that rivals the violence in the Iliad. The fictional world of Homers poems shows how the parts of government function in wartime. Monarchy is discredited by a bad kings acts of commission (Agamemnons incompetent leadership), and a good kings acts of omission (Odysseuss twenty years absence from Ithaca). The popular assembly provides in the Iliad a vehicle for a demagogue to speak against Agamemnon, but it is powerless to prevent Agamemnons foolhardy action against Chryses. And in the Odyssey, the assembly was inert for twenty years. Only the aristocratic advisory council proves its worth: with the wise Nestor standing out, it rescues Agamemnon from self-inflicted catastrophe. In the real world of 1776, the well-meaning King George III was ill-served by foolish advisers and catastrophe does result. Paines evidenced-based arguments raised the wrath of Americans, who decided to leave the British Empire and its monarchy, much as Achilles decided to leave the Greeks. Agamemnon prepared them for Paine. But unlike Achilles, they did not return. Far better, they concluded, to risk trusting the people, even if a Thersites might appear someday. Image: Max Pixel As I note in The Miracle and Magnificence of America, between the colonial and Revolutionary periods of American history came what historians have dubbed the (first) "Great Awakening." The lack of passionate Christianity, along with the coinciding adoption of certain liberal interpretations of Scripture and a turn toward the secular, greatly concerned ministers such as Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Prince, and William Cooper. By the 1730s, passionate and animated pleas for the souls of the lost became widespread. The earliest principal figure of this period of spiritual revival was the brilliant and pious Puritan minister Jonathan Edwards. Edwards succeeded his grandfather as pastor of the church at Northampton. Later, he accepted a role as pastor of a church in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Jonathan Edwards loved the pulpit, and according to BJU Press, he was more teacher and preacher than pastor. In late 1734 and early 1735, revival broke out in Northampton. By the summer of 1735, it ended, but the seeds for something more lasting were planted. Enter the mighty George Whitefield. Whitefield is generally considered "The Father of the Great Awakening." Born in England in 1714, Whitefield entered Pembroke College at Oxford at age 17. There he joined a group called the "Holy Club," where he befriended John and Charles Wesley. John Wesley led the group, and as a result of their "methodical" ways, critics took to calling them "Methodists." The name stuck. In 1738, Whitefield left for North America. It was not long before most of Georgia had heard of this young preacher with the booming voice and wild pulpit antics. News of Whitefield and his preaching soon spread throughout the colonies. In 1739, after a brief return to England in hopes of securing land and funding for an orphanage in Georgia, Whitefield came back to America and would preach throughout the colonies. Jonathan Edwards invited Whitefield to preach in Northampton, Massachusetts. Whitefield's message resonated with rich and poor, farmers and tradesmen, churchgoers and sinners virtually everyone within earshot, which, according to Ben Franklin, in open space, was 30,000 people! Whitefield was not alone. Along with Edwards, men like Isaac Backus, David Brainerd, James Davenport, Samuel Davies, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Jonathan Mayhew, Shubal Stearns, the Tennent brothers (Gilbert, John, William), and others implored settlers and Natives alike to trust in Christ and Christ alone for salvation. Their message of repentance caught fire up and down the American East Coast. In the words of Brainerd, the ongoing revival was like an "irresistible force of a mighty torrent or swelling deluge." After the event at Pentecost as recorded in the Bible in Acts Chapter Two, and after the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, many evangelicals of the eighteenth century considered the revival that was The Great Awakening as the third extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Such spiritual power can spawn change felt worldwide. This was certainly the case with the First Great Awakening, for it was in the pulpits of American churches that the seeds of revolution were sown. The British certainly thought so, as they blamed what they derisively described as the "Black Robed Regiment" for the thirst in the colonies for American independence. Modern historians have noted, "There is not a right asserted in the Declaration of Independence which had not been discussed by the New England clergy before 1763." The Great Awakening played no small role in helping to unite the American colonies against the British. For example, in 1750, the Rev. Jonathan Mayhew, a Harvard graduate, Congregationalist minister, and pastor of West Church in Boston, published A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers. Out of this was born a sermon entitled "The Morning Gun of the American Revolution." In this, Mayhew uses Romans 13 to justify throwing off the tyrannical yoke of England. In 1765, Mayhew gave a powerful sermon railing against the evils of King George III's hated Stamp Act. Mayhew declared: The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe on the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to yield subjection to him. From whence it follows that as soon as the prince sets himself above the law, he loses the king in the tyrant. According to historian Alice Mary Baldwin, joining Mayhew in leading the opposition to the Stamp Act were the Reverends Andrew Eliot, Charles Chauncey, and Samuel Cooper. George Whitefield accompanied Ben Franklin whom he had befriended to Parliament to protest the Act. Franklin revealed to Parliament that Americans would never willingly submit to the Stamp Act. A month later, in March of 1766, celebrating the repeal of the Act, Whitefield recorded in his journal, "Stamp Act repealed, Gloria Deo." John Witherspoon, Presbyterian minister, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1776, on a national day of prayer and fasting, preached a sermon entitled The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men. The sermon included the following: There can be no true religion, till there be a discovery of your lost state by nature and practice, and an unfeigned acceptance of Christ Jesus, as he is offered in the gospel. Unhappy are they who either despise his mercy, or are ashamed of his cross. Believe it, 'There is no salvation in any other.' 'There is no other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved.' ... If your cause is just, you may look with confidence to the Lord, and intreat him to plead it as his own. You are all my witnesses, that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful but necessary, and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without any hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. Preachers and teachers like Witherspoon had a profound impact in forming the United States of America. Among his students included James Madison, future U.S. president and "Father of the Constitution"; Aaron Burr, future U.S. vice president; twelve future Continental Congress members; forty-nine U.S. representatives; twenty-eight senators; three Supreme Court justices; and a secretary of state. As America's schoolmaster, Noah Webster, would later note, "[t]he learned clergy ... had great influence in founding the first genuine republican governments ever formed and which, with all the faults and defects of the men and their laws, were the best republican governments on earth." According to historian David Barton: When Paul Revere set off on his famous ride, it was to the home of the Rev. [Jonas] Clark in Lexington that he rode. Patriot leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams were lodging (as they often did) with the Rev. Clark. After learning of the approaching British forces, Hancock and Adams turned to Pastor Clark and inquired of him whether the people were ready to fight. Clark unhesitatingly replied, "I have trained them for this very hour!" As a result of this First Great Awakening, America was beginning to unite. Americans were beginning to rediscover the Covenant Way. One nation under God became the political as well as the spiritual legacy of the Great Awakening. Contrast the faith-filled, Spirit-led American Revolution with the godless, lawless, mindless demands for "revolution!" in today's America. Instead of revival, the mob that has burned, looted, assaulted, and killed its way through the U.S. is motivated by pure evil. They are more rotten fruit of the liberalism that's so prevalent in much of America today. Thus, we again see that any "revolution" not born of the Spirit of God is doomed to disaster, destruction, death, and failure. In other words, the only way to real, lasting positive change in any family, community, or nation is the way of the cross. Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of The Miracle and Magnificence of America. tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com Image via Max Pixel. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. There was an editorial last week in The Free Beacon positing that due to anti-Semitism within its ranks, the Democrat party will mimic the electoral defeat of England's Labor Party, which is similarly plagued by anti-Semitism. The Ilhan OmarOcasio-CortezTlaib trio, as well as many members of various Democrat congressional caucuses, are open enemies of Israel's existence and redolent with anti-Semitic pejoratives. The Beacon's theory is that just as Jeremy Corbyn's Labor Party was shunned by Jews and many in the public, thereby losing the last election to the Tories, so will Democrats lose to Republicans in 2022. Nancy Pelosi in the House and Chuck Schumer in the Senate, though themselves not anti-Semitic or anti-Israel, continue to allow this anti-Semitism in their party, and Pelosi goes farther by publicly and proudly embracing the Squad and especially Omar. The Beacon should have given its supposition a bit more scrutiny, for there is a big difference between the repudiation of the Labor Party in England and the situation here with the Democrat party. In Britain, virtually every Jew, Jewish organization, and Jewish politician spoke against the anti-Semitism and severe anti-Israelism happening within the Labor Party. Their disgust was across the board, and many Jewish Laborites spoke of leaving the Labor Party...and did. The entire Jewish community was alarmed by what was happening and growing within Labor's ranks and leadership, spotlighted it as the anti-Semitic party, and worked hard for Labor's defeat. In contrast, here in America, we do not hear or see the majority of Jews repudiating the Democrat party. Not at all! The Democrats have lost basically none of their previous 70% Jewish support. If one removes the Orthodox support for Republicans, the Jewish Democrat support is as high as 80%. Nor has any of the Jewish politicians threatened to leave the Democrat party. In fact, a dozen or so Jewish congressmen have joined and led others to further tighten Joe Biden's grip over Israel, and many Jewish Democrat politicians continue to defend Ilhan Omar and whitewash everything she says, calling her critics Islamophobes. And while some Jewish organizations have criticized Omar herself, none of the major establishment organizations has made any condemnation of the Democrat party per se, as was done against Labor by England's Jewish organizations. Dismayingly, non-Orthodox American Jews continue to stand solidly behind the Democrat party today, just as they did last Nov. 3 and many years previous. Why the difference? Though in the past, many British Jews voted Labor because of their leftward tilt and past voting patterns, for American Jews, the Democrat party has become more than a preferred party or a voting pattern. It has become the heart and home of most American Jewry, with identification and love for it surpassing even the synagogue. It is their lifeline. There is no doubt about this. In fact, their synagogues and temples are subservient and in service to it. England's Jews left Labor, for their survival instinct rose in importance over their past voting patterns. Not so with American Jewry. Their very life, their sense of who they are, and their life's transcendence, as well as their political power, are tied inexorably to the Democrat party, its politics, and its causes. It is the anchor and springboard of their "religious" mission, an earthly vehicle toward purpose and fulfillment. And in practical terms, they have an influence and rank within it that they think is unassailable. They are not worried at all. In their minds, it is still their party, "where a Jew belongs." Furthermore, the civil rights movement became for many American Jews a type of sacred theology. It gave them personal meaning, fulfillment, a civic identity. It morphed into what became their "Judaism." Thus are they deferential to anything falling under the rubric of civil rights; minority rights; or "justice" for non-white minorities, be they Black or Muslim. The civil rights movement, tied as it was to slavery and emancipation, was a uniquely American undertaking and became for American Jews, suddenly and retroactively, "the ole time religion." Because the "civil rights" movement provides this sense of ongoing personal destiny, there will always be another and yet another "civil rights" cause that needs to be tackled and fought for...even when these "rights" and movements become absurd and unhealthy. It has become a lifeblood that must continually be activated as an affirmation of one's personhood and nobility of purpose. This outlook always culminates in a never-ending, unquenchable desire to transform society. The politics of grievance is the "moral" fuel behind the agenda of transforming society, done under the lofty banner of "civil rights." The Democrat party is the party of "grievance," devoted to transforming America, to socially engineering every aspect of American life and, thus, the natural home to those who see that as their ongoing, immutable "noble" mission. Many American Jews see themselves as soldiers in the intersectional movement, choosing to make Jews and Jewishness subservient to it. It has become their animating motif and thus spirit. They will never repudiate the Democrat party, which is the sponsor and home of the intersectionality thesis they support and adore. It is more important to them than any other cause even Jewish survival or Israel. For them, "progressivism" is the ultimate goal, and Judaism is but a ladder in its behalf. They see Jewishness as but a means for "greater causes." This explains why some prominent establishment Jewish organizations are basically unwilling to spotlight attacks on Jews when those attacks come from Blacks or Muslims or Hispanic aliens. Though it would certainly help save Jewish lives if the leaders of these other groups were pressured to acknowledge what is happening, tone down their rhetoric, and do something to stop the attacks coming from members of their community, these Jewish organizations always choose, as they say, the "sensitivities" of those minorities over their own Jewish minority. It is pathologic. Others simply do not or will not see leftwing anti-Semitism if it jeopardizes their unconditional devotion to the Democrat party. They are of the left, by the left, and for the left, and nothing will convince them that someone with left-wing bona fides and credentials would knowingly do something anti-Semitic or without "justified" cause. To admit this would mean rethinking their entire life's outlook. This is an introspection and act of humility a "progressive" is unwilling to undertake. Others are so confident of their power within the party that they erroneously believe they can rein in the anti-Israel, anti-Jewish direction any time they decide to. Boy, are they wrong! And many Democrat Jewish politicians are choosing their political career over defending Jewish interests in a party that no longer embraces Jews who defend Jews. If Democrats lose an upcoming election, it will not be because of fall-away, disenchanted Jewish voters. It will only be because the general public has become sick of what the Democrat party is doing. For example, Evangelicals decide their vote based much more on a candidate's positive pro-Israel position than do 80% of non-Orthodox Jews. Unfortunately for a majority of non-Orthodox American Jews, the radical left-wing social agenda is more important to them than anything else. If the majority of Jewish Americans do not spotlight the anti-Semitism growing in the Democrat Party, as British Jews did against Labor, most Americans will not even be aware of this ugly reality and not register a protest vote against the Democrat party. Unfortunately, most Democrat Jews will continue to fool themselves even if leftist anti-Semitism stares them in the face. This is the current American Jewish tragedy. It is tragic because American Jewish Democrats and liberal Jewish spokespeople could have stopped this early on. But they chose the wrong allegiance. Rabbi Spero is president of the Conference of Jewish Affairs and author of Push Back: The Battle to Save America's Judeo-Christian Heritage. Image: hendricjabs via Pixabay, Pixabay License. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. The U.S. Capitol building has been an iconic symbol of democracy for well over two hundred years, much like the U.S. itself. It remained so through the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and too many lesser crises to count, all while remaining largely accessible to the citizens whose interests those who work there are supposed to represent. However, this Independence Day finds the Capitol off-limits to all but a select few. Our elite overseers can't be expected to open themselves up to a possible "insurrection," can they? Sad. The tragic events of the past year and a half, and our "representatives'" reaction to them, as well as our own response, have left me wondering what the Founders and other astute political observers might say to us now if they had the chance. Then I realized they would say pretty much what they said back then. Here are some of the most profound, universal and yet timely words of wisdom ever uttered with regard to societies, governments, and freedom: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin. COVID-19? "Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." Benjamin Franklin. Sound familiar? I wonder what Franklin's preferred pronouns were. "For true patriots to be silent, is dangerous." Samuel Adams. "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." Thomas Jefferson. "But a constitution of government once changed from freedom can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." John Adams. We might want to take this one to heart. "When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty." John Basil Barnhill. One of the great truisms of all time. "My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular." Adlai Stevenson. Stevenson was a Democrat. He would've been summarily canceled today. "Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms." Hubert H. Humphrey. Trigger warning! Humphrey was a Democrat! "When plunder has become a way of life for a group of people living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it, and a moral code that glorifies it." Frederic Bastiat. We are seeing this now with our elites on Wall Street, in Big Tech, and in government. So sad. "The urge to save humanity is almost always a false face for the urge to rule it." H.L. Mencken. The most accurate description of leftists ever stated, in my humble opinion. No truer words have ever been spoken. "I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts." Ronald Reagan. Absolute and irrefutable. "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." Abraham Lincoln. "We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth." Abraham Lincoln. The last quote is from Lincoln's message to Congress on December 1, 1861. It is just as true today. We are once again at a tipping point, an existential moment. And I leave you with another quote, this one from Toby Keith's new song, "Happy Birthday America": "Seems like everyone's pissin' on the red, white, and blue. Happy birthday America, whatever's left of you." Image via Max Pixel. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. President Biden swore in some new citizens at a naturalization ceremony at the White House on July 2 and repeated a false claim he's made on numerous occasions in the past several weeks about the unique nature of the United States. Here is the link to the White House event. Biden starts speaking about the unique nature of the United States at the 13:53 mark: I've often said that America is the only nation in the world, founded, on an idea. Every other nation in the world is founded on base of either, uh, that that your geography, or, or ethnicity, or, religion. You can define every almost everyone else, based on those t'characteristics, but she can't define America[.] Let's ignore the Bidenisms that abound in the above passage and save them for another time and place. We'll concentrate on his claim that only America is found on an idea that is to say, an abstract idea. Biden's claim is manifestly false! In the first place, Biden's claim about religion doesn't belong in his argument, because religion itself is nothing but an idea. While I don't know of any country today, save arguably for Putin's avowedly Orthodox Russia of all places, that defines itself based on the idea of Christianity, it used to be a common idea. Consider Iran. Before the present Shiite mullahs took over, Iran was secular, pro-Israel, and pro-Western, but once Iran adopted the idea of being a republic founded on Islam, that all changed radically. There are dozens of Muslim countries that stake their sense of nationhood on their embrace of Islam. Again, religion is nothing but an idea. And religion is not the only kind of idea that builds nations. Marxism too is nothing but an idea, based on the ideas of Dialectical Materialism and the Hegelian Dialectic. And there are many Marxist countries in the world. And now let's look at Poland. That is a country that was founded on the basis of three interrelated ideas and continues as such to this day. Without these ideas, Poland would not be recognizable today. Around the year 966, the Piast pagan King of Poland was Mieszko I. He converted to Catholicism and promptly placed his kingdom under the ownership of the Holy See in Rome. In doing so, he cemented Poland to Western civilization forever. In the next few centuries, Poland further cemented itself to Catholicism with the concept of interrex. Poland did not have hereditary kings, but instead, a new king was elected by Polish nobility upon the death of the old king. But this meant there was an interregnum, a period of time when there was no king. It was a weakness the Polish nobility were willing to put up with in order to be free from possible tyrant kings. But it left Poland vulnerable during times when the king's throne was sedes vacant an empty seat. To protect themselves, they devised the concept of interrex. The Polish Catholic primate would become the temporary, interim king of Poland, stepping down upon the accession of the new king. The third idea that defined Poland as a Catholic state was the proclamation of Mary, mother of Jesus as the queen of Poland. This happened in the middle of the 17th century. At that time, Poland was under attack from Protestant Sweden and Orthodox Cossacks and from Ukrainians under Bogdan Chmielnitzky. (He, by the way, was the last independent ruler of Ukraine until 1991. He also committed the largest pogrom of history against both Poles and Jews, until the Hitlerite pogroms of the 20th century.) Anyway, Poland almost went under, but after Poland emerged from the crisis, in 1655, which the Poles attributed to the intercession of Mary, the grateful King Jan Kazimierz proclaimed her to be the Regina Poloniae, the queen of Poland, and thereafter pledged the loyalty and fealty of Poland to her and the Catholic Church she represented. Poland and Russia are brother Slavic states. But Poland used the idea of Catholicism to differentiate itself from Orthodox Russia. Anyway Biden is both simplistic and totally wrong when he claims that America is unique out of all nations of the world because it supposedly is the only nation on Earth that has been founded on an "idea." It simply isn't true. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Montenegro is a tiny Balkan nation across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, nestled between Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia, and with a population roughly the size of Vermonts. Its in deep trouble because a past government, using a $1 billion loan from a Chinese state bank, entered into a deal with a Chinese state-owned construction company to build a 270-mile-long highway. Now, with only 25-miles extending from nowhere to nowhere built, the debt is coming due and Montenegro has no money with which to pay it. Montenegros troubles are waking Europe to the way China has inveigled poor countries into its debt, giving it ownership interests across Europe. According to NPR, in Montenegro theres confusion about how the former government could enter into such a manifestly disastrous agreement: Montenegros government says the first section put it in so much debt that it can no longer afford to build the rest of the highway. I think we will pay not maybe this generation, but future generations, says Soc, the former justice minister. But I dont think this is a problem from China. It is our bad decision. Hes not the only one blaming the countrys previous government for catapulting the country into historic debt with this project, which was signed in 2014 with the China Road and Bridge Corporation, and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. We are now [a] victim of the extremely bad decision of the former government, said an exasperated Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic to Euronews this spring in an effort to appeal to the EU to come to Montenegros rescue; the country aims to be an EU member one day. A copy of the loan contract reviewed by NPR shows that if Montenegro is not able to repay Chinas state-owned Export-Import Bank on time, the bank then has the right to seize land inside Montenegro, as long as it doesnt belong to the military or is used for diplomatic purposes. In addition, Montenegros former government signed off on allowing a Chinese government court to have the final say on the execution of the contract. Deputy Prime Minister Abazovic told Euronews in May that he finds the terms incredulous. This is not normal, he said This is out of any kind of logic of national interest. My guess is that the government functionaries who got Montenegro into this agreement which created a debt more than twice its total gross domestic product have secreted away comfortable bank accounts in Switzerland. Much of the article is taken up with offering and then dismissing theories about why China would want to take on a project when it was obvious that Montenegro would default on the loan. Again, Im guessing, but it seems that likely that China, like a mafia boss, wanted something Montenegro has and was willing to sacrifice money on a loan it knew would be bad to achieve its real goal. In this case, China is creating footholds in Europe, a conclusion even NPR eventually considers: But Stefan Vladisavljev, a program coordinator for the think tank the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, believes he knows. For years, he has kept track of Chinese-funded projects in his home country of Serbia. He sees broader political goals for Beijing, especially in the case of Montenegro, where, despite its pleas to the EU, Brussels refused to help repay the countrys loan to China. This was a good chance for Brussels to gain some ground in the region, Vladisavljev says. It was a good chance for Brussels to show its dedication to the region. He says by not helping Montenegro, the EU has ceded potential influence to China, which has economic leverage over the country and the region, and whose presence there underlies broader political plans. The fact that the Western Balkan countries are not part of the European Union gives them the opportunity to create their foreign policies and their national policies outside of the EU framework, says Vladisavljev. So its easy way in to the European territory. It is the easy way in to establishing a sphere of influence into the immediate neighborhood of the European Union. And thats something Chinas been hard at work at in the region for years. Under its Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing has purchased the Greek port of Piraeus, turning it into the second-largest port in the Mediterranean, and its also constructing billions of dollars-worth of highways and railways, including a planned high-speed railway connecting Belgrade and Budapest. Exactly. China doesnt want money; it wants land in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. By exporting an economy-breaking disease and finagling nations to take on debts they can never repay, its building an Empire greater than the Romans or British ever did, and its doing so without spilling a drop of blood in battle. IMAGE: Montenegros highway to nowhere. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. To get a whiff of just how unserious the left is, take a look at the leftist knee-jerk reaction to a recent oil fire in the Gulf of Mexico: The sea is on fire but some people *still* think capitalism can be managed. pic.twitter.com/akxbZzlNXs Laura Pidcock (@LauraPidcock) July 3, 2021 The ocean is literally on fire. But yeah, sure -- we cant afford climate action. pic.twitter.com/DPEziIYytw Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 3, 2021 Capitalism breeds innovation The innovation: A literal portal to hell opening in the gulf https://t.co/HnwIjGhOiC kait (@huicholaaa) July 3, 2021 These tweets are stupidities because while the boiling gas fire at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico is spectacular, it hasn't a single thing to do with either capitalism or global warming. It's the result of an accident from a poorly maintained pipeline owned by Pemex, the state oil company of Mexico. That's a 100% government-owned entity that was created in 1938 based on uncompensated expropriation from private-sector energy companies. State energy enterprises are never capitalist, they are socialist state entities. Mexico's is worse than most of them - even Venezuela's state oil company has some private ownership. Mexico's, though is a full socialist state creature with zero accountability to shareholders. It calls to mind that it's not capitalism, nor global warming that's causing these accidents, but the hard fact that socialist state energy enterprises have an amazing environmental record. In Venezuela, we see state oil company pollution on an untold scale, with this sort of thing going on: While the collapse of Venezuelas oil industry and what was once the richest economy in South America are well documented, there is little coverage of the immense environmental damage being caused by the decay of its energy infrastructure. The autocratic Maduro regime is determined to squeeze whatever oil and gasoline production it can generate from Venezuelas crumbling oilfields, corroded refineries and rusting pipelines. The situation is so dire that oil spills are a regular event in the near-failed state, especially since Washington ratcheted up sanctions, preventing Caracas from obtaining the capital required to conduct critical maintenance and overhauls. Under Maduros leadership Venezuelas government, including national oil company PDVSA, has ceased collecting and releasing data, making it near-impossible for international observers to ascertain what is occurring in the country. PDVSA data (Spanish) from 2016, before the national oil company stopped releasing operational information, showed that oil spills had multiplied fourfold since 1999. This was a worrying portent of what was to come because the worst of the decline for Venezuelas oil industry did not start until 2018 as progressively stricter U.S. sanctions were imposed. Aside from PDVSA ceasing to publicly report operational data, Caracas regularly attempts to ignore or even cover up oil spills. That makes it extremely difficult for neighboring countries and the international community to discern just how much environmental damage is occurring. Notice the cover-ups, easy to do in a socialist state when the state controls the press. In Ecuador, we've got another state oil company situation that's just about as bad: Chevron has never conducted oil production operations in Ecuador. Its subsidiary Texaco Petroleum Co. (TexPet) did operate in Ecuador, mostly in minority partnership with Ecuador's state oil company, Petroecuador, which owned 62.5 percent. TexPet left Ecuador in 1992, and at that time it fully remediated its share of environmental impacts arising from oil production. The $40 million remediation operation was certified by all agencies of the Ecuadorian government responsible for oversight, and TexPet received a complete release from Ecuador's national, provincial and municipal governments. Chevron acquired TexPet in 2001. For more than two decades, Petroecuador has been the sole owner of the operations TexPet left behind, and the state oil company has greatly expanded them. Petroecuador has been slow to remediate its majority share of pre-1992 impacts and has amassed a poor environmental record since that time. All remaining environmental conditions in the region are the sole legal responsibility of Petroecuador, and in December 2011, Petroecuador announced a $70 million remediation program that would address the balance of the necessary clean-up. A phony lawsuit pinning Chevron for blame for the Ecuadorean state oil company's oil pollution in the Amazon fell apart after Chevron spent hundreds of millions to get the truth out. That has not just left Ecuador with state environmental pollution, it's poisoned the environment for future foreign investment. Lucky Ecuador, and since that happened, the ChiComs have rolled in. In December 2018, I wrote: If there was ever an example for nations worldwide of What Not To Do, take a look at what socialist Ecuador has done to itself in dumping the U.S. and turning to align its interests to China. The New York Times has a superb (albeit stomach-churning) report about how Ecuador sold itself out as a vassal of China, getting for itself a junk dam that is already collapsing, and turning over 80% of its oil production to the communist behemoth in order to pay its massive, massive debts from it. That, in exchange for scrapping its military ties to the U.S. and skipping out on its tab with western banks. All that state capitalism, and pollution, too, yet somehow the West with its capitalism and rule of law, plus existing environmental standards that don't exist in the socialist state-owned third world, is now to blame. Similar cases of socialist state oil company mismanagement and the horrible consequences of it abound in Russia, China, Nigeria, Iran, the list is pretty amazing. Now we have this Mexican case, and Mexico's state oil company, Pemex, to its credit, has said it has since got the fire out. If anything, this fire amounts to an argument against state oil companies and the inevitable results of their activity, where profit is not the foremost concern, profit is not a thing, and making shareholders happy is not an issue. These state enterprises just serve as a cash cow for socialist governments that have so impoverished their people they've lost their tax base. Now, if there's any argument at all about global warming in this, it's that countries like Mexico and China need to be held to the same standards as every other nation signed on to the Paris accord. That of course, is not happening, so this garbage goes on, useful to the left for pointing fingers at capitalism and global warming and, in reality, the West That brings us back to these leftists with their dishonest narratives about capitalism and global warming. Two of the idiots who posted those statements are leftist politicians who have a big thirst for attaining more power, for the state, and for themselves. And now before any facts are in, they're assuming the voters are idiots, too, and will buy hook, line, and sinker the notion that capitalism and global warming are to blame for the Gulf fire. According to these tweets, it doesn't seem to be working. Voters seem to be onto them and their ignorant, cynical game. Twitchy has curated some choice tweets educating these charlatans about the nature of the beast, too. It just goes to show that they'll use a condemnation of capitalism, or a claim to global warming, to blame anything, no matter what disaster went down, on the West. It's like a knee reflex. Image: Twitter screen shot To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Donald Rumsfeld, whom we lost last week, warned us 15 years ago that Weakness is provocative, words that have ominous meaning as the Biden administration degrades military morale, cohesiveness, and readiness with exercises that prioritize racial strife, homosexuality, and transgenderism in place of patriotic unity. Xi Jinping is not likely to fear American security guarantees for Taiwan or anywhere else in the face of Americas highly visible retreat from the trappings of power. And the billion dollars sent to the son of the President of the United States to manage surely bought something more than mediocre investment returns. That is why alarm bells are being rung over the possibility of China launching armed conflict, to take advantage of American weakness, and the leadership vacuum under a senescent President Biden. As many observers have noted, China faces a serious demographic crisis owing to the Chinese Communist Partys one-child policy a decades-long foolishness that dooms it to a top-heavy population distribution, declining absolute population, and a severe shortage of females, owing to selective abortion practices when couples could have only one child. In other words, Chinas relative power over the United States may be higher now than in the future. Japans government officials usually are given more to circumspection than bluntness, which is why this warning from Japans State Defense Minister (the deputy to the Defense Minister) is so shocking: On Wednesday, Japans number two defense official said China and Russia are showing increased signs of military cooperation and their activities in the Pacific could show signs they plan to launch a Pearl Harbor-style attack on the U.S., similitar to how Japan did on Dec. 7, 1941, propelling the U.S. into World War II. Speaking at a Hudson Institute event, Japanese State Defense Minister Yasuhide Nakayama said, Seventy years ago, we attacked Pearl Harbor, but now the U.S. and Japan [are] very good allies, one of the best allies all over the world. Nakayama went on to say now Russian naval forces are really exercising just right in front of the western part of Honolulu, and so I dont want to remind the 70 years ago, but we have to be careful of the exercising of the Russians. Nakayama used alarming language: If some country shoots [a nuclear weapon] from their continent towards Honolulu, that missiles . . . the warheads compared to Hiroshima, its 200 times more than Hiroshima, Nakayama said. So Ive been to Hiroshima before and I went to the museum before, from that experience and the perspective, if 200 times more strong atomic bombs or torpedoes or missiles, warheads towards Honolulu, I think Honolulu will be erased from the map. So we have to think before using those powers, we have to think how to stop it. Nakayama also described the growing threat of invasion China poses against Taiwan and how Japan and the U.S. must cooperate to keep Chinese actions in check. What we can do is show the deterrence and also [that an attack] or happening towards Taiwan, its straight to relate to not just Japan, but also the U.S.-Japan alliance even, he said. This was before the highly nationalistic speech commemorating the CCPs hundredth anniversary given by dictator-for-life Xi Jinping in front of a crowd of 70,000 in Tien An Men Square. Andrew Bolt of the Melbourne Herald-Sun found an alarming similarity of Xis rhetoric with that of Hitler prior to World War Two in an unfortunately paywalled article: The world must not ignore this: Last weeks big anniversary speech by Chinas dictator sounded very much like Hitlers. So dont be surprised when the shooting starts. Xi gave his speech in Beijing on the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, at a ceremony featuring soldiers goosestepping, Nazi style. It was frightening enough that Xi threatened foreign forces hed crack their heads and spill blood. Worse, was that in paragraph after key paragraph he pushed the same buttons Hitler pushed in his speech in 1937 on the fourth anniversary of his Nazi dictatorship. All the same evils are there. The appeals to race. The paranoia. The inflammatory poking of a mortified national pride. The fake appeals for peace, and gory threats of blood. That sound of a whiner, grown big and now scary-daring himself to fight. Reading them side-by-side, how can anyone think were safe? Hat tip: John McMahon You can watch a simultaneously translated version of Xis hour-plus speech here. Also worrisome is the possibility that Xi may need to fan the flames of war owing to the weakness of the CCPs hold on power. Melissa Chen writes in The Spectator: Deng Xiaoping introduced market reforms and China ascended to the WTO in 2001 after the West had spent decades trying to get the CCP to play by the rules of the international world order. The opposite happened the CCP eroded the world order from inside. China could have taken advantage of Western gullibility for longer, coasting for a few more decades as it played the long and quiet game, enriching itself at the expense of the West while keeping its ambitions for global domination shrouded in secrecy. But the partys increasing insecurity about its grip on power led China to turn inward and ultimately, with the rise of Xi Jinping who purged corruption in the politburo to preserve loyalists and removed presidential term limits, it fell back to a personality cult not seen since Mao. Steadily in the last few years and particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, China has turned the world against it by proving itself to be an irresponsible world actor. For starters, after mismanaging the pandemic in its early days and shutting down domestic travel while broadcasting how banning international travel was racist, China continued to hamper independent investigations into the origins of the virus. It retaliated strongly against countries like Australia who demanded a full inquiry by slapping huge tariffs on Australian imports and then absurdly claiming that the virus came from frozen Australian meat. Aggressive vaccine diplomacy involving the questionable efficacy of Sinovac, military excursions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Straits and belligerent wolf-diplomacy all signal Chinas deep insecurities and fragility. Right now, China holds some serious means to cripple us, even without military action. We depend on them for pharmaceuticals, microchips, rare earths, and other essentials, whose production we could not quickly replace should they be cut off by China. China also has much of corporate America in its back pocket, members of our own oligarchy who respect and obey Chinas desires over those of the American people. These are very dangerous times indeed. Photo credit: YouTube screengrab To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Flooding in Edinburgh caused trains in and out of the city to be halted during stormy Sunday weather. Images on social media showed multiple streets of the Scottish capital awash with rain which also crept into homes, bars, businesses and appeared to seep into a brand new shopping centre. Emergency services attended some incidents including under one bridge in Chesser, where the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service could be seen helping vehicles which were stuck in the flooding. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. A couple were also pictured by Dr Eoin Plant-OToole stuck at a bus stop on Roseburn Terrace where what he described as a river had formed. Sundays stormy weather also caused a problem for shoppers in the brand new St James Quarter, which only opened in Edinburgh last month. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. One Twitter user, Jamie Cunningham, pointed out a couple of design flaws when it comes to rain. Water could be seen dripping down windows and onto the balconies of the several floors to ground level. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. At around 5.46pm, ScotRail tweeted to confirm trains between Helensburgh and Edinburgh would instead run between the coastal town and Bathgate only for safety reasons. Buses were arranged to run from Edinburgh to Glasgow while Network Rail workers set up pumps which are running and helping water levels to recede. The rail firm also said: Pumps are continuing to help reduce water levels in the area, but were not yet able to reopen the line, until this reduces further. Owosso, MI (48867) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Owosso, MI (48867) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Have any questions? Please give us a call at 541-889-5387 Ronald Verini is a local veterans advocate who writes a weekly column for The Argus Observer. He can be contacted at (541) 889-1978, help@veteranadvocates.org or 180 W. Idaho Ave., Ontario, OR 97914. The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of The Argus Observer. He also stressed that if necessary, changes should be made in rules so that the medical community can be awarded the highest civilian award New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking that the country's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna should be given this year to all doctors, nurses and paramedics who served the people amid the pandemic. It will be a true homage to doctors who lost their lives, he said. In the letter to the prime minister, Kejriwal said this year's Bharat Ratna should be conferred upon doctors, nurses and paramedics. "Many doctors and nurses sacrificed their lives fighting Corona. If we honour them with Bharat Ratna then it will be a true tribute to them.Lakhs of doctors and nurses served people selflessly without worrying about their lives and families. There can be no other better way (than honouring them with Bharat Ratna) to thank and honour them," he wrote in the letter in Hindi. He also stressed that if necessary changes should be made in rules so that the medical community can be awarded the highest civilian award. "If rules do not permit to confer Bharat Ratna on a group, then I request you to change rules. Entire country is grateful towards our doctors. Every citizen of the country will be happy if they (doctors) are honoured with Bharat Ratna," Kejriwal appealed to the PM in the letter. Earlier in the day, the chief minister has also tweeted on the same matter. "The 'Indian Doctor' should receive Bharat Ratna this year. 'Indian Doctor' means all doctors, nurses and paramedics. It will be a true homage to all martyred doctors. It will be an honour of those who have been serving without caring for their lives and families. The whole country will be glad at this," Kejriwal had said in a tweet in Hindi. As many as 730 doctors have succumbed to coronavirus infection during the second wave, according to data available by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in mid-June. Bihar saw the maximum number of 115 deaths, followed by Delhi at 109, Uttar Pradesh 79, West Bengal 62, Rajasthan 43, Jharkhand 39, and Andhra Pradesh 38, the data showed. According to the IMA, 748 doctors died in the first wave of the pandemic. Lok Sabha will meet from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm unless directed otherwise by Speaker Om Birla The session is slated to conclude on August 13. (Photo: rstv.nic.in) New Delhi: The monsoon session of parliament, which commences on July 19, will have 19 business days. Lok Sabha will meet from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm unless directed otherwise by Speaker Om Birla. Four days have allotted for the transaction of private members business, which is taken up in the post-lunch session. The Speaker has also allocated days for answering questions by ministers in the rotational order. The session is slated to conclude on August 13. The Congress has demanded a JPC probe into the Rafale deal, alleging corruption in the purchase of the fighter jets New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday hit out at the BJP-led Central government on its silence over the Rafale fighter jet deal, particularly after the French government ordered an inquiry. Stepping up his attack on allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday put out an online survey suggesting a guilty conscience and the desire to protect friends could be among the reasons why the Narendra Modi government does not want a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. In the survey that he posted, people are asked to decide why the Modi government is opposed to a JPC probe on the Rafale deal. Among the choices given were guilty conscience, saving friends, JPC does not want a Rajya Sabha seat, and all the above. Congress spokesman Pawan Khera said at a press conference that the Rafale deal was an inter-governmental one between India and France, and one of the two countries had initiated a probe while the other was yet to even comment. He said: Its been 24 hours since France has ordered a probe on matters like corruption, influence peddling, money laundering, and favouritism. The whole nation and the whole world is now looking to New Delhi. Why the silence? Mr Khera added: Now it is getting clearer that in the Rafale deal we have bought an item that costs Rs 570 crores at Rs 1,670 crores. The Congress has demanded a JPC probe into the Rafale deal, alleging corruption in the purchase of the fighter jets, and said that such an investigation was the only way forward to find the truth. Stepping up the heat on the Centre, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that a French judge being appointed to look into the allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal means that Rahul Gandhis stand on the matter has been vindicated. The BJP on Saturday had termed the Congress attacks simply lies. Aimed at ages 18 and up, the set contains 1,379 pieces. Its dimensions are listed at 6, 17, and 8 inches (15, 42, and 18 centimeters), and the Danish toy manufacturer offers the new F-150 Raptor exclusively in orange.In terms of realistic design traits, the front grille stands out alongside the rear tailgate and decals on the bedsides. The V6 engine with moving pistons also needs to be highlighted, and of course, all doors can be opened or closed. The working suspension pretty much rounds off the list of goodies.Priced between the toy versions of the Land Rover Defender and Jeep Wrangler, the LEGO Technic Ford F-150 Raptor takes inspiration from the full-sized pickup that starts at $64,145 excluding destination charge. Exclusively offered with the SuperCrew cabin and 5.5-foot (1.67-meter) box, the off-road truck features 35-inch tires as standard and 37-inch tires as an extra.The biggest rival of the Ram TRX doesn't live up to expectations in terms of horsepower and torque because the Blue Oval didnt bother to improve the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 over the 2020 model. Be that as it may, the Raptor is getting a V8 engine next year, most likely the supercharged 5.2-liter Predator of the 760-horsepower Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.Rooted in Baja 1000 desert racing, the world-class suspension system of the F-150 Raptor includes next-generation Fox Live Valve internal bypass shock absorbers with electronic control technology for position-sensitive damping. At desert speeds, the Ford Motor Company quotes upward of 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of damping per corner. When equipped with the big-tire package , the Raptor is capable of clearing 13.1-inch (333-mm) obstacles. Imagined by pixel wizard Kleber Silva with Rivian R1T proportions and an R1T-inspired tailgate with Chevrolet stamped just under the taillight bar, the Nova Montana is actually a compact pickup rather than a full-size workhorse. Up front, however, the Chevrolet Trailblazer cues are pretty spot on.Recently teased by Chevrolet, the Nova Montana sits just under the S10 mid-size pickup that you may know as the Colorado in the United States. The all-new trucklet is based on the Global Emerging Markets platform, a vehicle architecture that Chevrolet wont offer in the U.S. and Canada at all.The scalable underpinnings made their debut on the front-wheel-drive Buick Excelle sedan for China three years ago, and chances are that GM is developing the Nova Montana to accept three-cylinder engines. The L3T of the Buick Encore GX would be perfect for this application because it develops 155 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute and 174 pound-feet (236 Nm) of peak torque from as low as 1,500 revolutions per minute.Notably larger than the outgoing Montana, the Nova Montana should be a little more capable in terms of payload. The hatchback-derived Montana is good for 735 kilograms (1,620 pounds), which is an idea better than the payload rating of the new Ford Maverick (1,500 pounds or 680 kilograms).Also known as the Tornado in Mexico and Utility in South Africa, the trucklet should match the pricing range of the Fiat Toro at 114,590 reais for the base model or 144,990 reais for the range-topping variant. Converted at current exchange rates, make that $22,650 and $28,660, respectively. A Japanese custom shop that goes by the name Bad Land sees however no issue with associating purity with a two-wheeler, and a menacing-looking one at that.Holly Lotus is how one of the shops builds is called, originally a 2010 Harley-Davidson Dyna that received a host of custom upgrades, black paint and body tattoos that make it look anything but pure.Just like in the case of the Zoso Blood No. 2 , the Holly Lotus goes for a darkened look in the purest Japanese style, with the entire build wrapped in black.There are a lot of custom parts featured on the build, many of them made by Bad Land itself. The list includes the front and rear wheels, sized 21- and 18-inch, respectively, a unique, pointy headlight that really stands out in the crowd, and a custom handlebar.The shop is also responsible for the one-off fuel tank, front fender, and exhaust system. All these are paired with a motogadget speedometer, a single Arlen Ness mirror, Arlen Ness grips and covers for the air cleaner and rocker, and a Progressive shock.The motorcycle was first shown back in May this year, but the Japanese garage did not specify how much the bike cost to put together. We also dont know what happened to it after completion, but well keep our eyes open in the hopes of catching this Holly Lotus out in the open, in a more natural environment than the studio it was pictured in when revealed. I've been following Brad Builds for some time now and he's got an interesting vision when it comes to creating unique builds. Some of his recent projects include a slammed 2022 McLaren Artura, a wide and wild Ford Mustang S197, or a Japanese-touring Car Series style Toyota Supra MKIV. He has even created some Safari-style projects, and there's even a lifted DeLorean in there, among other cars.The Lexus NX has been around for about 7 years now, but I can't say I've ever seen any modified version of it that I liked, at least not until now. But the Los Angeles-based artist has come up with a design that feels SEMA-ready. If you would have seen this exact render being showcased by Liberty Walk Performance, it would have all felt quite natural, to say the least.Right off the bat, the front bumper is a sign that this render was developed starting from an NX 300 F Sport version. This NX is considerably wider than its stock counterpart, and it provides a very strong presence thanks to it also being slammed and rolling on some very spectacular wheels. I'm willing to bet that if this was featured at the SEMA Show, it would be quite successful.At the same time, if you imagine a big spoiler on the back of this thing and an upgraded engine, this would probably look right at home up at Pikes Peak as well. Pricing for the NX300 starts at $37,610 before tax ($1,025 delivery, processing, and handling fee) if we're talking about the base model, with Front Wheel Drive. But if you're looking for something a bit more exclusive, you'll have to add at least $9,000 more for the NX 300h Luxury. It's not every day you get to see a Ferrari , at least if you don't live in Monaco or any other supercar-rich city on the planet. More than that, it's even rarer to see a Novitec tuned one out in the wild, and not at a car show, or in a museum. So it's no wonder the N-Largo Ferraris are such a turn-on. And the German-based company has built several N-Largo models over the years, including the 812, the 488 in both variants, and the F12.The 8 12 N-Largo is, without doubt, the most powerful and impressive of them all, but as of today, it has a baby-brother, in the form of the new F8 N-Largo, a car which Novitec calls "the most brutal V8 Ferrari ever". Only 15 of these will ever be built, and it often happens with these special machines, it is already sold out. Yes, that's right, we're just now learning about it, and it's no longer available for purchase.But I'm sure that in a few years' time, at least one is going to pop up on an auction website somewhere. Until that moment comes, let's dive in and see what this beauty can do. The 488 N-Largo was rated at 772 horsepower, while the 812 N-Largo has the benefit of a V12, and so it churns out 840 horsepower. And the F8 version falls somewhere in the middle, as its twin-turbocharged, 3.9-liter V8 is rated for 818 horsepower and 666 lb-ft (903 Nm) of torque!And I was happy to see that Novitec 's brand ambassador, Bijon De Kock, wasn't going to just talk about the car inside of the studio. Instead, he takes the car out into the real world, and as we've seen before, he isn't afraid to do a bit of spirited driving, which is ultimately what everyone wants out of these presentations. And you just know that with all the fiddling around that's been done to the engine, and with a Novitec exhaust fitted to the car, the F8 N-Largo sounds absolutely glorious.And with drifting being more and more popular these days, we even get to see the F8 N-largo going sideways in several scenes. Not many Ferrari s get to do that in their lifetimes, so bonus points for the display of power right there. After a bit of driving around, we get to stare at the car once again and witness all of the carbon fiber parts that have been brought into play, making for a provocative yet somehow subtle look.There's carbon fiber even in places you wouldn't expect, as the whole body kit is made out of it, and then painted to match the color of the car. Staying true to the N-Largo philosophy, this one is wider than a standard F8 by 5.11 inches (13 cm)! A closer look at the mirrors will probably have you staring at them for a while, as the entire ensemble is made out of carbon fiber, and its shape is not only functional but very appealing at the same time.What's interesting about Novitec is the fact that they don't just build these body kits by using imagination alone. And because form should always follow function , this car has been extensively tested in the wind tunnel, to provide a result which both looks good and drives magnificent at the same time. Novitec has announced that more in-depth details about the tunnel testing will be provided soon, along with extended point-of-view driving footage of the car. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see this with my own eyes! In a recent study published in the National Academy of Sciences , researchers from LLNL have worked to demonstrate that aerodynamic vehicle designs are reducing drag by creating negative front pressures. This pressure pulls the vehicle forward against the wind just like a sailboat.Aerodynamic drag reduction plays a significant role in meeting fuel consumption goals. A more streamlined vehicle will be able to reach higher speeds and, as a result, will also have increased fuel efficiency. In the U.S., heavy duty vehicles make up just 4 percent of all on-road vehicles, but they account for more than 20 percent of all transportation-related greenhouse emissions.The comparatively high drag coefficient of heavy vehicles, which may vary from 0.8 to 1.0, compared to 0.3 for a sedan and 0.4 for an SUV, is one of the major causes of inefficiency leading to their poor fuel economy. It has been found that aerodynamic drag can be affected by using various add-on devices. Some of them include boat tail plates, trailer skirts, tractor side, and roof extenders.While they have some advantages in terms of reducing drag, a solution proposed by the LLNL team of researchers is targeting the vehicle's overall shape. Based on wind tunnel tests and computational simulations, they determined that a new design, which resembles a bullet train, would generate drag values that are considerably lower than those of current heavy vehicles.This bullet train model could have a significant impact on the heavy truck freight sector, which, according to the LLNL , it made use of over 30 billion gallons of diesel in 2017. For a heavy vehicle traveling at highway speeds, a 1 percent reduction in drag results in a 0.45 percent reduction in fuel consumption. What youre looking at is a close up of an F-16 deployed with the 120th Fighter Squadron of the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing. The plane is flying a refueling mission after taking part in the Amalgam Dart 21-01 exercise in mid-June.The fighter jet is an impressive machine, but this time does not look as impressive as the human flying it, Capt. Joseph Christensen. The person who took the photo from inside the refueling plane, Airman Mira Roman, managed to do it so skillfully that you could almost see the F-156 pilot wink, if his sunglasses werent in the way.The 120th Fighter Squadron was born in 1923 and became the first Air National Guard unit to obtain Federal recognition. Flying F-16C Falcons , the unit takes on roles of homeland defense, but has also been deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, during which time they performed 500 combat sorties, and dropped 350 precision-guided weapons.As for the F-16C, nicknamed Viper by its pilots, it is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2 for as much as 2,620 miles (4,217 km). It can carry a large variety of weapons, from rotary cannons to rockets and bombs.There are close to 5,000 of them in operation today, flying for the air forces of two dozen countries, including regular partners and allies like Israel and Turkey, but also smaller countries such as Romania or Greece. Copyright 2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. The Canadian Armed Forces are being called in to help combat dozens of wildfires in western Canada that have sparked evacuation orders and caused the deaths of at least two people, per CTV News. What's happening: 172 wildfires are burning across British Columbia following the Pacific Northwest's record heat wave, per the BC Wildfire Service. Evacuations orders have been taking place in the province this past week, with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, among the latest to do so. The district, which covers 11 municipalities in the center of B.C., issued nine evacuation orders Saturday. The BC Coroners Service confirmed to CBC News that two people died in the fire that swept through Lytton last week, which set a new Canadian record when it hit a high of 117.5F Monday. Defense minister Harjit Sajjan said Friday additional resources, including 350 military personnel, were being sent to a tactical base in Edmonton, Alberta, to help in firefighting efforts where needed across western Canada this summer. What to expect: BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Jean Strong told CTV News officials were "expecting to receive some military assistance over the next number of days from the Canadian military." Of note: At least 719 people died from June 25-July 1 during British Columbia's heat wave "three times more than what would normally occur in the province during the same period," per a statement from the B.C. Coroners Service Friday. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Why Georgia lawyers want to probe jurors' thoughts about the pandemic Robert Price is a journalist for KGET-TV. His column appears here Sundays. Reach him at RobertPrice@KGET.com or via Twitter: @stubblebuzz. The opinions expressed are his own. IRMO [mdash] Ellis Buckland 82 of Irmo, SC passed away July 8, 2021. Originally from Bluefield, VA, he was the son of L. W. and Lucille Buckland. He is survived by his wife Susan Perdue Buckland and two children, Teresa Christine Muller and David Forrest Buckland. Also survived by siblings L We're all aware by now that homes are Texas are in high demand, with many being snatched off the market almost the moment they're listed but seeing the data recorded over the course of the frenzy is truly staggering. Existing homes in Texas stayed on the market for only a month in May, per Culture Map's John Egan. This marks a new low since the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University began keeping track of the data in 1977. ON THE MARKET: 5 Houston homes listed at $500K or less Mortgage rates are still hovering around 3 percent, and ongoing demographic trends continue to support housing demand, said Luis Torres, research economist at the Texas Real Estate Research Center. Existing home sales rose to 29,000 transactions in May, a 2.5 percent month-over-month increase, per the center. But there were still more than 2,000 sales below the year's peak. Sales fell for the fourth month in a row in April, but still exceeded pre-pandemic levels for a rise of 46.2 percent. The monthly increase in sales combined with a 3.1 percent drop in new listings in May reduced Texas' existing home market's months of inventory to 1.1 months. "The extremely low level of supply available is holding back sales," said Torres. "The limited inventory for homes priced less than $300,000 is particularly distressing and is stressing home affordability." SELLING YOUR HOME? The Thursday before Labor Day is the best day to list your home in Houston The median existing home sale price in Texas increased 27.8 percent year over year to $289,900, with the national metric increasing by 21.5 percent to $306,000, per NAR. Torres believes a "shift in the composition of sales toward higher-priced homes" explains some of the increase in the median sales price, owing to a scarcity of inventory in the lower price cohorts. SLATER, Iowa (AP) A Minnesota woman was killed and three other people injured Saturday at an Independence Day parade in Iowa. Iowa State Police said a 2007 Hyundai Sonata was parked on the street after the parade when pedestrians were in the road. A 75-year-old woman backed out and struck several people, the Des Moines Register reported. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Republican Allen West, the former Florida congressman and firebrand who rode into office on the tea party wave a decade ago, said Sunday that he will run for governor of Texas in a bid to again seize on restless anger from the right. His odds are far longer this time around: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is up for a third term and may also be eyeing a 2024 presidential bid, has already locked up the endorsement of Donald Trump whose voters West would need to have any shot at winning a GOP primary in Texas. The hurdles don't stop there. Abbott is the most prodigious fundraiser of any governor in America, having started the year with nearly $40 million already socked away, and West is shunned by powerbrokers in his own party. Last month, West stepped down as chairman of the Texas GOP after spending a year using the platform to antagonize Abbott and other Republicans who he deemed insufficiently conservative. Still, West's celebrity in the grassroots that lingers from a combative one term in the U.S. House makes him the most prominent primary challenge Abbott has faced since becoming governor in 2015. Already there have been signs of Abbott moving to protect his right flank, passing ever-looser gun laws in Texas that he never previously endorsed and picking up Trump's immigration mantle along the U.S.-Mexico border. Let's stand up for God, for country and for Texas, West told those gathered Sunday at Sojourn Church in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton, where he made his announcement. He later tweeted video of the service. Democrats, who continue to see Texas as a budding battleground even as their losing streak continues, have yet to put up a challenger to Abbott in 2022 although former congressman Beto O'Rourke isn't ruling it out. West won a House seat in Florida in 2010 and quickly became a tea party favorite and lightning rod, at one point accusing Democrats of having as many as 80 communists in their House caucus. He failed to win reelection in 2012. He later moved to Texas and largely stayed out of the spotlight until running for chairman of the state GOP party last year. After winning the job, West went about criticizing Republicans as much as Democrats, calling the GOP speaker of the Texas House a traitor for working across the aisle and leading a protest outside Abbott's mansion over coronavirus restrictions. In May, West spoke at an event in Dallas that was organized by adherents of the QAnon conspiracy and included former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell. Abbott, who in previous years drew only token primary challengers, now faces two candidates who have previously held office. Former GOP state Sen. Don Huffines is also running. BHOPAL, India - The nights are the hardest. Five-year-old twins Ruhi and Mahi go to sleep late. In the dark, they often wake up crying or seized with fear. In the morning, their great-uncle dresses them and combs their hair. They ask him the same question over and over: Where are our parents? Your mom and dad are with the doctors, he tells the girls. They're at the hospital. The truth is too difficult for him to speak. Ruhi and Mahi's parents are both dead, swept away in a matter of days during the calamity of India's second wave of coronavirus cases. The girls' father, Mohan, known for his helpful nature and devotion to his daughters, died on April 30, his lungs straining on a ventilator at a government-run hospital in this central Indian city. Three days later their mother, Rita, died at home in a rooftop room with pale yellow walls, crushed by sickness and grief. Her daughters were asleep nearby. The full severity of India's recent wave of infections - now receding at last - is hard to grasp. In April and May, the virus overwhelmed hospitals and killed nearly 170,000 Indians, according to official statistics. Experts believe the true figure is far higher. Perhaps no phenomenon encapsulates the nation's losses like the number of children orphaned in the surge. What happened to Mohan and Rita's daughters is not unique: Nearly 600 children in India have lost both parents to covid-19, said Smriti Irani, the government minister for women and child development, in a tweet last month. Even that figure may understate the tragedy. Across India, more than 3,600 children have been orphaned as a result of covid and other causes since the start of the pandemic, according to an affidavit filed this month by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Although India's situation is extreme, the country is far from alone. The pandemic has killed parents of young children around the world. Researchers in the United States used Census Bureau data to estimate that about 43,000 American children had lost a parent to covid since March of last year. There were also families in the United States where both parents died. In India, the ferocity of the second wave left hospitals too full to treat the sick. Many died because they could not get enough oxygen or other treatment, leaving their families with the unanswerable question of whether their relatives might have been saved with proper care. Most of the children orphaned in the surge are staying with relatives. A small minority have been placed in institutional care, say child protection authorities. The perils are myriad: Children who lose their parents are at higher risk of depression, dropping out of school and being exploited, experts say. In April, messages began to circulate on social media allegedly seeking adoptive parents for children whose parents had died of covid. The appeals became so widespread that the authorities issued a warning that such direct adoptions are illegal and could be used for child trafficking. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced that the national government would cover educational expenses and provide health insurance to children orphaned by covid, as well as set aside funds they could access upon turning 18. In such trying times, Modi said, according to an official statement, "it is our duty as a society to care for our children." - - - Identical twins with tiny wrists and large brown eyes, Mahi and Ruhi are living with their mother's uncle and their extended family in the narrow lanes of Bhopal's old city. When Ruhi, older by minutes, is asked who is her best friend, she doesn't hesitate. "Mahi!" she exclaims while hunched over a coloring book. That morning, Ruhi woke up and told her great-uncle, Subhash Raikwar, that she had seen her parents during the night. She knew it was them, she said, because she could see their faces above the door to the bedroom. (The Washington Post is withholding the girls' family name to protect their privacy.) "When they tell us things like this, it makes our hair stand on end," Subhash said. "How could this have happened? Will they ever be able to forget this?" A day earlier, the girls had returned to their home on the outskirts of town for the first time since their parents became sick. They were excited to see the neighbor's dog and the rickety swing across the street where they used to go with their father, who had worked as an electrician in a nearby factory earning about $250 a month. Mohan and Rita both belonged to a tribal community whose traditional occupation is fishing, and they were married in 2009. For years, they tried to have children. The girls were born in 2016. Home was a tiny rented room. A calendar distributed by a Hindu religious group hangs on one wall. The page is turned to April, the month that changed everything. That's when Mohan, who was in his early 40s, began to cough. Days later, he had trouble breathing. By then the virus was racing across India, infecting hundreds of thousands of people a day. Mohan's health worsened on April 25, and that night, the oxygen saturation in his blood dropped to a dangerous level. Rita's brother managed to get Mohan admitted to Hamidia Hospital, a collection of mustard-and-white buildings near Bhopal's historic mosque. Rita, 40, also was showing symptoms of covid. She and both girls tested positive for the coronavirus two days later. Ruhi developed a cough, but her sister remained unscathed. Before Mohan was placed on a ventilator, he told Subhash that he was worried for his children. He asked whether he could be moved to a private hospital to get better treatment, but no beds were available. Mohan died late on April 30. He was cremated the following morning, one of 82 coronavirus victims that day at the city's main Bhadbhada crematorium. Rita, who had a persistent cough and labored breathing, came with the girls to her childhood home, three narrow interconnected houses near one of Bhopal's several lakes where her mother, an elderly widow, still lives. Rita isolated herself in a room on the roof with only one small window, too high to see outside. She didn't want to eat or talk to anyone, her relatives said. The night before Rita died, she insisted that the girls come upstairs and sleep in the room with her. Alka Raikwar, 45, one of Rita's aunts, said she spoke to her niece after midnight. Alka asked whether she was eating and urged her to be strong for her children. If Rita was having trouble, Alka said, they would take her to the doctor. The next morning, Rita was unresponsive. The girls tried to wake her. Subhash checked her pulse: nothing. He called an ambulance. Emergency personnel arrived and pronounced her dead. For the second time in three days, members of the family returned to the crematorium. There were crowds and they had to wait. Mamtesh Sharma, an official with the crematorium trust, said the facility had never witnessed such scenes in its 70-year history. "It was house full," he said, pointing to charred spots on the concrete where bodies had been burned for a lack of proper wooden pyres. - - - Bhopal is a city of tranquil lakes and crumbling palaces. In 1984 it was the scene of one of the world's worst industrial disasters, when toxic gas leaked from a pesticide plant owned at the time by Union Carbide, an American firm. At the height of the second coronavirus wave, people were so afraid to step outside that it was as if something poisonous was in the air, Subhash said. "There was that kind of fear in people's hearts," he said. No matter the sorrow, neighbors were unwilling to help neighbors. Ruhi and Mahi's parents were not the only losses suffered by the family. Subhash, 45, is the youngest of seven brothers. (Ruhi and Mahi's grandfather was the second eldest.) His eldest sister and one of her sons also died of covid this year. Subhash makes a living selling fish and owns a printing press. He also is active in local politics. Now he is the girls' main caregiver during the day. He helps them bathe and gives them breakfast. His wife Rekha is a laboratory technician and returns from work in the afternoon. The couple have two sons, 18 and 8. All Subhash wants to do is fulfill the aspirations of the girls' parents - a good school, a high-quality education, a chance to move up in the world. Mahi says she wants to be a doctor. Ruhi would like to be a police officer. On a recent morning, Mahi had a smudge of baby powder visible on her neck after taking a bath. Her hair had been gathered carefully into a ponytail with a fuzzy purple elastic band. Ruhi had a matching yellow elastic band in her hair. If she were at home with her parents, Ruhi said, there would be "masti" - lots of fun. She would go to the park with her father and fly on the swing, she said, or walk to a nearby temple. Subhash doesn't know how long he will keep telling Ruhi and Mahi that their parents are at the hospital. He hopes the twins will gradually understand that they aren't coming back. The girls already hear from their cousins that their mom and dad are with God. But Subhash cannot bring himself to say it. - - - The Washington Post's Ravi Mishra contributed to this report. If all the familiar arguments about why you should get a vaccine to protect you from Covid-19 havent persuaded you yet, consider this new bit of information: The vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna appear to set off a persistent immune reaction in the body that may protect against the coronavirus for years. Thats significant, because for a while researchers thought that vaccine recipients might need an additional booster shot this fall, and possibly others in future years. If this studys finding hold up, people who have gotten the vaccine will be protected much longer than they realize. It might not be the one and done that vaccines for other diseases provide, but its much better. Consider this comparison: Many of us get a flu vaccine every year and accept that repetition as the way it has to be. What if we could get one flu shot that would last many years or a lifetime? Most of us would jump at that chance to be free of the threat from that illness. The same reasoning should apply to Covid-19, which doesnt just make most people sick like the flu does, although thousands of medically vulnerable people die from the flu every year. Covid-19 is far more deadlier than the flu, already having taken more than 605,000 Americans, including more than 51,000 Texans. Many other people who get Covid report lingering symptoms like the loss of taste or smell or even lingering fatigue. This disease is nothing to take lightly. The study about vaccine effectiveness by a team led by Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at Washington University in St. Louis and published in the journal Nature, is yet another reason why Texans who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid should take care of business. The two-shot format of the Pfizer and Moderna is a minor scheduling inconvenience, but this medicine can apparently provide an incredibly long span of protection. You wont have to worry about getting sick or dying or even wearing a mask and you will be less likely to transmit Covid to someone you love. President Biden had hoped to get 70% of Americans vaccinated by July 4 to symbolically declare our independence from this pandemic. Our country will fall short of that goal, but not for lack of trying to get people vaccinated. Politicians and doctors have urged people to take this basic step, but vaccination participation has leveled off. It appears that most of the people who wanted to get vaccinated have, and the rest either wont or would do it if the opportunity presented itself, though its not a priority for them. If youre in that last group, please join the millions of protected Americans. Theres no real reason not to get this done, and now, theres another significant argument in its favor. Be smart and be safe. Roll up your sleeve this year, and you might not have to do it again for a long, long time and possibly your entire life. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Updated at 10:50 a.m. ET on 2021-07-04 A Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane broke in half and burst into flames when it overshot the runway in the southern island of Jolo on Sunday, killing at least 42 of the nearly 100 on board and three civilians on the ground, a military spokesman said. The C-130 carrying 96 including three pilots and a five-man crew was landing at the Jolo Airport around 11:15 a.m., officials said. It is the latest in a series of deadly crashes involving military and police aircraft including a Black Hawk helicopter crash last month. As of 5:30 p.m. today, about 50 personnel were hospitalized with some evacuated to Zamboanga to undergo further treatment. Meanwhile, 29 bodies were already recovered from the incident site, Joint Task Force Sulu commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said in a statement. Those figures were updated later in the day. We remain to be hopeful that we could find more survivors. Our search and rescue is ongoing with 17 personnel unaccounted, he said. These individuals were supposed to report to their battalions today. They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism. We enjoin the nation to pray for those who are injured and those who have perished in this tragedy, Gonzalez said Armed Forces chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the plane missed the runway and crashed near the area of Bangkal village in the town of Patikul, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf militant group. We are doing our best effort to rescue the passengers, our ground commanders are already there, he said. Military officials said the C-130 broke in half and burst into flames. Per eyewitnesses, a number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash, Gonzales said. An Air Force official who has flown to and from Jolo several times told The Associated Press that the Jolo runway is shorter than most others in the country, making it more difficult for pilots to adjust when landing. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. Full investigation ordered Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered a full investigation to get to the bottom of the incident and cautioned the public against speculating on the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, John Law, charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, said his country is providing medical support to assist rescue efforts. We offer our sincerest condolences to the families of those who passed away in the crash in Sulu, he said on Twitter. The U.S. Embassy is assisting (the defense department) in providing medical support and stands ready to provide future assistance. The troops being flown to Jolo were to augment the militarys operations against the Abu Sayyaf, a small Islamist group considered a terrorist organization by the government. A faction led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the Philippine leader of the Islamic State, has been carrying out deadly attacks since January 2019 when it deployed an Indonesian couple to carry out a suicide bomb attack on a cathedral in Jolo, killing 21 and themselves. The following year, a similar attack near the cathedral left 14 dead. Philippine rescuers carry a body from the site of a C-130 crash in Sulu province, southern Philippines, July 4, 2021. [Courtesy Joint Task Force Sulu] Plane purchased in January The Philippine military has been trying to modernize its aging fleet. The crashed plane was one of two aircraft purchased from the United States government in January under its military modernization program. Its mission was cargo transportation and to support troop movements across the archipelago, the Air Force said at the time. In June, six soldiers were killed when a newly acquired Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a night-training flight, two months after a MG-520 attack helicopter went down in the central Philippines, killing its pilot. In January, a refurbished UH-1H Vietnam-era Huey helicopter also crashed in the south, killing seven soldiers. In September 2020, an Air Force helicopter used as an air ambulance crashed en route to the southern island of Jolo, killing four crew members. Two months earlier, four soldiers were killed when their Huey chopper crashed after takeoff in the northern province of Isabela. In March 2020, the countrys police chief and three police generals were among eight people injured when their Bell 429 helicopter crashed near Manila. Jeoffrey Maitem and Mark Navales in Cotabato City, Philippines, Richel V. Umel and Froilan Gallardo in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, and Dempsey Reyes in Manila contributed to this report. Amanda Burke covers Pittsfield City Hall for The Berkshire Eagle. An Ithaca, New York native, she previously worked at The Herald News of Fall River and the Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise. Find her on Twitter at @amandaburkec. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Bill Cosby is reportedly ready to hit the comedy stage again. Andrew Wyatt, the comedians spokesperson told reporters Thursday (July 1) that he has been talking to a number of promoters and comedy club owners and is just excited the way the world is welcoming him back, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. According to Inside Edition, A number of promoters have called. Comedy club owners have called. People want to see him. Bill Cosby was released from prison on Wednesday (June 30) after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that previous testimony during a civil case led to his subsequent conviction during the criminal trial. Ultimately, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction on a legal technicality but did not vindicate Cosby from guilt. RELATED: Black Twitter Reacts To Bill Cosby's Sudden Release From Prison The actor has served more than two years of a three-to-10-year sentence at a Philadelphia-area state prison. Previously, Cosby vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge remorse over the 2004 encounter with victim and accuser Andrea Constand. The 83-year-old was convicted of drugging and molesting Constand in 2005 at his suburban home. In late 2015, he was charged when a prosecutor presented newly unsealed evidence. He was arrested days before the 12-year statute of limitations was up. I have never changed my stance nor my story, Cosby said in a statement after his release. I have always maintained my innocence. Aside from potential protests that would spring up at prospective comedy events, Attorney Lisa Bloom, who represents several of Cosbys accusers, has also warned that the comedian could face new defamation claims should he embark on a tour where he claims vindication and casts his accusers in a negative light. Phylicia Rashad apologized to the Howard University community for her recent tweet supporting Bill Cosbys sexual assault case being overturned, according to CNN. In a written statement to students, faculty, and parents, Rashad who is the universitys newest dean also showed support for survivors of sexual violence. "My remarks were in no way directed towards survivors of sexual assault. I vehemently oppose sexual violence, find no excuse for such behavior, and I know that Howard University has a zero-tolerance policy toward interpersonal violence," Rashad says in the letter, posted Friday, July 2. RELATED: Phylicia Rashad Named Dean At Howard University's College Of Fine Arts The Cosby Show actress a Howard alumna who is currently serving as new Dean of College of Fine Arts also added that she looks "to engage in active listening and participate in training(s) to not only reinforce University protocol and conduct but also to learn how [she] can become a stronger ally to sexual assault survivors and everyone who has suffered at the hands of an abuser," according to the report. On June 30, shortly after Cosby had been released from prison after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled to overturn his conviction over a due process violation, Rashad tweeted, FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected! She has since deleted the tweet after facing backlash from those who believe her words were insensitive to Cosbys alleged victims and sexual assault survivors everywhere. Cosby has been accused of sexual assault by more than 50 women. Rashads apology follows her tweet being disavowed by the university earlier this week. Wednesday (June 30th) the Cosby Show actress tweeted in celebration following her friend and colleague being released from prison, but was met with a lot of scrutiny from the schools student body. She had later removed the tweet before stating that she fully supports the sexual assault survivors coming forward, according to the post. July 4 isnt the only day this weekend celebrating freedom. Crown Day, also known as Black Hair Independence Day, is the unofficial holiday that celebrates Afro-textured hair or the tight curls and coils most often associated with Black and indigenous people of color. July 3 marks the two-year anniversary of the passage of the CROWN Act, which bans hair discrimination in California. Now, 13 states have passed similar legislation with Nevada being the most recent with their law in June. RELATED: California Aims To End Natural-Hair Discrimination With The 'Crown Act' Hair discrimination have often cost people of color jobs, students have been barred from graduation, and women have been attacked simply for rocking a natural hairstyle. Studies show that in any workplace environment, institutions punish Blacks who choose to wear styles like braids, locs, cornrows, twists or Afros. Activists say the CROWN Act attempts to change that. The CROWN Act was introduced in 2019 by then-California state senator Holly J. Mitchell. The bill sought to outlaw "the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture. Mitchell told Insider she started organizing legislation for the bill after several conversations with other Black professionals who went to the same hairdresser in Los Angeles. She then collaborated with researchers from Dove to prove how Afro-textured hair is more heavily policed in the workplace. It goes back to our foremothers and fathers who were enslaved and forced to cover their heads, Mitchell told Insider. What did we do? We created colorful headwraps and put our magic' on it. Receiving support from both state and federal lawmakers, public figures and corporations joined in support of the movement, and now the CROWN Act is law in 13 states. As the second anniversary is upon us, Dove and the CROWN Coalition are still working on pushing legislation. So far, theyve reintroduced a federal bill in March of this year, secured over 280K signatures and are working to reintroduce the CROWN Act in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Call ahead to confirm events. Due to COVID-19, many events have been canceled but hosting organizations might not have updated their entries. Email Blast Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Daily News Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a digest of each day's headlines & events from The Daily News by email? Signup today! The Amplifier Headlines & Events Email Blast Would you like to receive a weekly digest of headlines & events from The Amplifier by email? Signup today! Daily News Hosted Events The Daily News is a proud host of community enrichment events. Join our Daily News Events mailing list to learn about the next event we are planning. Sign up now. Manage your lists A few months ago, Disney executives held a secret meeting with members of the ABC News program The View. Things had become so hateful on the morning program that some Disney board members were loudly complaining. The message delivered was knock off the hate, ladies. The primary culprit was Joy Behar, a bitter leftist. Another problem was Sunny Hostin, whos even more to the left of Behar and equally as vicious. The two would routinely gang up on Meghan McCain, Disneys token non-liberal. Ms. McCain often fired back emotionally. The presentation was about as entertaining as a snake bite. Last week Meghan McCain quit the show. "The View" always had an edge but its creator, Barbara Walters, maintained a strict civility. Rosie ODonnell could not abide that but Whoopi Goldberg is not a vicious person and did her best to provide some decorum. But once Donald Trump began to dominate the discourse, civility collapsed on The View as well as many other TV forums. For example, late-night comedians have pretty much destroyed themselves as mass-market entertainers. Stephen Colbert was never the talent Jon Stewart is but could once deliver a satirical take that amused. No longer. Colbert is now a venomous left-wing zealot who is impossible to watch unless you live in his blatantly partisan tent. Same thing with the snarky leftist Seth Myers, a man desperately in need of a funny reboot. Mean is not humorous or engaging or enlightening. Mean is simply mean, a posture with no socially redeeming value. There is an audience for sadistic, unfair attacks but its a pathetically narrow crew. This is why the late-night vitriolic cant even get three million people to watch them. Johnny Carson got nine million. There is mean on the right as well but, on television at least, conservative haters are vastly outnumbered. On the internet, the mean new deal is on full display as wretched 'Cruella's' aggressively change lanes on the low road. Its all pretty depressing and meaningless, pardon the pun. Our media culture is flat-out nasty, blatantly sadistic, and getting worse. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey But you have to doubt whether future governments will remain free to just dial up their preferred level of annual immigration the way they have been over the past 40 years. If theres one demographic lesson we should have learnt by now, its that as families become more prosperous over the generations, they choose to have fewer children. This has become possible because of effective contraception. Like all the other rich countries, our fertility rate has long been below the population replacement rate of 2.1 babies per woman. Add growing longevity and you see why a declining fertility rate (expected number of births per woman), not just the retirement of the Baby Boomer bulge, has left all the developed economies with an ageing population. And, thanks to its one-child policy, the worlds most populous economy, China, also has a (rapidly) ageing population. Like all the other rich countries, our fertility rate has long been below the population replacement rate of 2.1 babies per woman. Unlike most of the others, however, weve kept our population growing strongly by ever-increasing immigration. To date weve had no trouble attracting all the skilled (and unskilled) workers we need, mainly from poor countries. Weve even been able to make a lot of them pay full freight for their Australian-quality education before we scooped them up. But with population ageing and old-age dependency ratios becoming more acute around the rich world, global competition to attract skilled workers from developing countries may become more intense. On the other side of the equation, the supply side, as the poor countries become more developed, their living standards rise and their fertility rates fall, there may be fewer skilled workers willing to emigrate to the rich countries. Population growth is already slowing in most developed and developing countries. Its already falling in Japan and some European countries. It will start falling in China this decade. Our population growth is also likely to slow, and the day may come when horror of horrors it starts to fall. Slower growth in the population means slower growth in the size of the economy, of course. But I cant see why this should be a worry. Its notable that, though the intergenerational report projects a consequent slowing in economic growth over the next 40 years, it expects this to have little effect on economic growth per person and thus on living standards. Whereas real GDP is projected to slow from 3 per cent a year over the past 40 years to 2.6 per cent over the coming 40, annual growth in real GDP per person is projected to slow only marginally from 1.6 per cent to 1.5 per cent. Loading Even that small slowing seems to be explained not by lower population growth, but by a similar fall in the assumed rate of average annual productivity improvement. Taken at face value, this is an admission by the reports authors that faster population growth makes little or no contribution to the improvement of our material living standards. The immigrants may gain by moving to Australia, but the rest of us dont gain from their coming. However, the reports fine print (aka its technical appendix) advises that its projections do not capture the broader economic, social or environmental effects of migration, such as technology spillovers or congestion. But if those effects were thought to be significant, youd expect the authors to have made the effort to model them. And, of course, the effects are likely to be both beneficial and detrimental. Looking at the economic effects, the advocates of high immigration always point to the benefit of greater economies of scale, while brushing aside the costs of the increased housing, capital equipment and public infrastructure that a bigger population and workforce must be provided with to ensure the productivity its labour doesnt fall. Indeed, its possible our high rate of population growth is a factor contributing to our weak rate of productivity improvement. Similarly, its inconsistent for advocates of high immigration also to be advocates of Smaller Government. When youre causing congestion by failing to spend enough on the extra public infrastructure needed, including more schools and hospitals perhaps because youre trying to please discredited American credit-rating agencies you shouldnt be surprised if economic growth is weaker. The need for governments to spend more on a bigger population is complicated and compounded by the division of responsibilities between federal and state governments. The budgetary costs and benefits of immigration are not spread evenly between federal and state governments. The feds pick up most of the tax that immigrants pay, while the states pick up most of the cost of the extra infrastructure and services needing to be provided (especially since immigrants are denied access to many federal benefits for the first four years). This reveals a major distortion in the intergenerational reports continual claim that higher immigration does wonders to improve the budget. The federal budget, yes. But state budgets, probably the reverse. Finally, there are the environmental consequences of a bigger population that both the intergenerational report and most business people, economists and politicians refuse to come to grips with. Jenny Goldie, president of Sustainable Population Australia, reminds us that the intergenerational report fails to take into account the environmental costs of urban encroachment on natural bushland, threatening iconic species such as the koala [and biodiversity more generally], and adding to carbon emissions. ASQ in Concert: Bartok, Mendelssohn, Fischer Australian String Quartet, Melbourne Recital Centre, June 30 While COVID-19 continues to curse many Australian cities with a strain of cancel culture, Melbourne has been blessed with glorious, world-class music making from the Australian String Quartet. Disappointingly, this rescheduled concert could not feature the previously advertised collaboration with recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey, but the ASQ more than held its own in a rich, three-course musical offering. ASQ in Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Credit:Sam Jozeps Bartoks ground-breaking String Quartet No. 3 is hardly the most digestible musical appetiser, with jagged, rhythmic shards punctuating a bleak harmonic landscape. However, the ASQs collective intelligence made sense of the short, dense score. The warmth of its silver-toned Guadagnini instruments ensured special effects fulfilled their expressive purpose, and that lyrical elements were coaxed to the surface. Razor-sharp ensemble and expressive playing, notably from newly appointed cellist Michael Dahlenburg, impressed. Like an accomplished suitor, Mendelssohns String Quartet No. 1 initially charms with style and grace, before revealing a more amorous agenda. The perfectly shaped phrases of the opening suggested a long-established union of minds and hearts, further confirmed in the witty Canzonetta. Leader Dale Barltrop revelled in the bravura opportunities of the last two movements, eliciting expansive warmth and passion from his colleagues. Detectives have released fresh CCTV footage of several vehicles of interest as their investigations continue into the killing of Sydney underworld figure Mejid Hamzy in October last year. Mr Hamzy, the 44-year-old brother of jailed Brothers 4 Life gang leader Bassam Hamzy, was gunned down outside his Condell Park home in Sydneys south-west in what police have called a targeted and planned shooting. Mejid Hamzy was killed last year in what police say was a targeted and planned shooting. Emergency services were called to Simmar Avenue about 7.30am on October 19 following reports of the shooting, locating the deceased nearby with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene. Detectives from the state crime command established Strike Force Courier to investigate the alleged murder, and in March released CCTV of two vehicles of interest a grey Toyota Rav 4 and a matte black Mercedes Benz. Several bus routes servicing Strathfield, Homebush and Lakemba were included as places of close contact. The routes include the M90, the 526 and the 450 between June 27 and June 30. Other close contact venues include a Commonwealth Bank branch in Roselands on June 28, 29 and 30. Casual contact venues include the TAB in Gladesville on Saturday, June 26 and Randwick Coles on Belmore Rd on June 28. All passengers on flight VA524 between the Gold Coast and Sydney on June 26 have also been classified as close contacts. Police fined more than 80 people in 24 hours across NSW for failing to comply with public health orders, including three Sydneysiders who were found in the Central West town of Dunedoo. Two men and a woman were fined $1000 by NSW Police on Saturday after officers found their unregistered car parked in a no stopping zone in Dunedoo, north-west of Dubbo, where they had booked one night in a local hotel. NSW Police fined more than 50 people for failing to wear masks, while also booking a carload of Maroubra locals near Little Hartley. The group of four were sent back to Sydney after being pulled over on the Great Western Highway. Two-thirds of staff at nursing home unvaccinated SummitCare chief operating officer Michelle Sloane said the residents were all very comfortable and those within the facility were isolating in their rooms. Ms Sloane said 96 per cent of the facilitys 149 residents had received both Pfizer jabs. About one-third of staff had been vaccinated. She believed one of the workers who had the virus was vaccinated. We have made a decision with public health that they will be vaccinating staff towards the end of this outbreak, Ms Sloane said. We have been advised that to do it now it might be of no benefit to everyone and, if anything, it will mean they suffer from side effects from the vaccine and we lose more staff. About 70 per cent of staff were in home isolation. The aged care worker who is believed to be unvaccinated was linked to a case in an unvaccinated 24-year-old student nurse who health authorities announced last Wednesday. More than 45,000 tests were reported on Sunday. Police patrol at Gore Hill Oval in St Leonards on Saturday. Credit:Brook Mitchell We are seeing numbers go the right way, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday. But I do say cautiously that, that could still bounce around. And weve seen in the last few days how easy it is for people to unintentionally do the wrong thing, or intentionally do the wrong thing, and that can result in more cases, which is something we dont want to see. Compliance is really important the next few days. The states Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said she would not like to speculate on whether schools would reopen after the holidays next week. Loading When asked about how children would figure into the vaccine rollout - no vaccine is approved for use in Australia for children under 16 - she was positive. A number of cases in the outbreak have been primary schoolchildren. I would be expecting that in 2022 we would be looking at rolling out vaccines for schoolchildren, Dr Chant said. At the moment, vaccine is still constrained, and as that vaccine becomes available, we still need to prioritise the elderly, aged care workers, and those with underlying health conditions before we move ahead to the younger age group. Ms Berejiklian said there had been no decision yet whether lockdown would be extended past July 9. Whilst the results overnight are very pleasing, theres no doubt the impact of the lockdown has been evidenced, the Premier said. Queensland health authorities have added 11 new contact sites to its list of more than 50 across south-east Queensland, despite no new local cases being announced on Wednesday. Anyone who visited any casual contact sites spanning stores in Ipswich including the Riverlink Shopping Centre, the Brisbane airports international terminal and an Inala Vietnamese restaurant is urged to quarantine at home and get tested as soon as possible. A number of stores in the Riverlink Shopping Centre have been added to the states list of exposure sites. Credit:Tony Moore A number of broader low-risk sites were also named after they were visited by a person believed to be infectious with COVID-19 on Friday, spanning the shopping centre and airport, with those who visited urged to get tested and quarantine if symptomatic. No new local cases were reported by Queensland health authorities on Wednesday, after two new local infections were detected on Tuesday. A Newman government law change allowing Queensland councils to opt out of the water fluoridation scheme needs to be reversed, according to the co-author of a new study confirming that children living in areas that dont have fluoridated water are at much greater risk of tooth decay. The study, led by researchers from the University of Queensland, found children who had limited exposure to fluoride combined with a high sugar intake were 70 per cent more likely to develop cavities in their adult teeth. A UQ researcher says state laws need to be amended to ensure all Queenslanders can benefit from fluoridated water. Credit:iStock The researchers looked at data from 24,664 children across Australia, and Professor Loc Do from UQs School of Dentistry said the findings backed up the well-documented benefits of access to fluoride via drinking water. Professor Do said Queensland in particular needed to take note of the research because 19 local government areas lacked fluoridated water the worst coverage in the country. Law firm Baker McKenzie successfully got an independent reviewer to agree that the Ad Standards community panel should review its original determination. But the community panel upheld its ruling. Short of an appeal to the High Court, the rule is: if it looks like an ad, sounds like an ad and smells like an ad, its an ad and must be labelled as such. Epilogue: Russians latest post four days ago was a tasteful shot of her wearing a necklace from Tiffany & Co. The caption read: #currentobsession @tiffanyandco #ad. All in the club Is Josh Frydenberg the latest player to wade into a debate over Melbourne and Sydneys blokes-only clubs? It might appear so given an invitation to members of Melbournes Australian Club. Not happy to admit women as members, president Michael Bartlett has invited members to attend the annual Fathers and Daughters black tie ball, scheduled for early September. Daughters will be admitted as guests. And the keynote speaker? None other than Camberwell local Josh Frydenberg. The Kooyong MP isnt a member of the club but his status as the states highest-ranked Liberal and the fact that he is a man translates largely into a standing invitation. Theres no mention yet of what hell be speaking about. But the odds are that diversity and equal representation are firmly off the table given the clubs battle with a persistent question of whether to admit women as members. Readers will recall the experience the clubs Sydney counterpart had last month when members voted resoundingly against admitting female members. Businessman and environmentalist Geoff Cousins tendered his resignation in response. In Melbourne, high-profile commercial barrister Philip Crutchfield is reportedly among members keen to start a conversation about admitting female members. And theres nothing like a room full of Modern Liberal daughters to get the ball rolling. We wonder if the Treasurer knows what hes got himself into. Democracy deal Dudes! Bondi Hipster Christiaan Van Vuuren has a new project and its no small thing. Hes out to save democracy. More precisely, hes about to give us a wake-up call about the frightening extent to which money has infiltrated politics. The comedian, who parlayed his cult hipster comedy YouTube act into a successful TV career, has created a documentary about money and politics called Big Deal. It is all about how we might work together to ensure our democracy is safeguarded from being sold to the highest bidder. But the line-up of interviewees is replete with the usual suspects, talking heads and media tarts, including former politicians Malcolm Turnbull and Sam Dastyari, current independents Jacqui Lambie and Zali Steggall and Guardian Australias Katharine Murphy. No sign of former prime minister Kevin Rudd at this stage, but where theres life, theres hope. The film is coming out in September and ABC favourite son Craig Reucassel is the director. A callout for funding by the Documentary Australia Foundation reveals the film will chart dramatic reversals in Christiaans worldview as he embarks on an unlikely adventure into the underworld of Australian politics and make a difference and create a better country for his children and fellow Australians. A tad florid, but the pitch worked. The Australia Communities Foundation, founded by Marion Webster and Hayden Raysmith, kicked in $75,000, while the Susan McKinnon Foundation, founded by Sophie Oh and tech whiz Grant Rule, who created mobile media company MessageMedia, kicked in $25,000. Clearly, saving democracy from the evils of big money is so hot right now. Code red Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Long before Cian McCue had any say in it, his mother Camille Damaso enrolled the healthy newborn in Australias own Seven Up program. Aidan Hill, 34, was also enrolled. He was born four weeks early. Lennair Hill, 34 and now Aidans wife, is also in the program. She was born eight weeks premature, at a very low birth weight, with a heart condition. Ms Hills mother Donna Sinclair said the birth was as traumatic as you can get. I thought I was giving birth to a dead baby. Cian McCue and his mother Camille Damaso. Cian was enrolled as a newborn in a longitudinal study called Australias own 7 up program. Credit:Rhett Wyman The Life Course study was started in 1987 by the late pediatrician Dr Susan Sayers from the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin. She described it as Australias own 7 Up. It started with an Aboriginal birth cohort of 686 babies including Aidan and Cian, and later added 196 non-Indigenous participants, including Lennair. Dr Sayers wrote that it would follow the progress of tiny babies into adults, into sickness and health, for the rest of their lives. The study is loosely modelled on the 7-up documentary series in England that followed the lives of 14 children from 1964, checking in with them every seven years. Advertisement When Mr McCue was young, the seven-year check-ups on his physical and emotional wellbeing were a part of his life. They werent so welcome when he was 17. As I got into my teenage years, it was like these guys are trying to humbug me. Mr McCue, 33, a father and a video maker, said he now realised the project was about more than health checks. It is about trying to close the gap, and raise that life expectancy of Aboriginal people, he said. Lennair and Aidan Hill, who have participated in the program. NAIDOC week started on Sunday to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme this year, Heal Country, calls for stronger measures to address injustices, such as the increased rates of chronic disease among Indigenous Australians. The study is looking for clues to who will get chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, the No.1 killer of Indigenous people. Some researchers have been working on the projects for so long that they have got to know three generations of families. Participants have their weight and height recorded, blood pressure checked, and blood and urine samples tested. Advertisement The circumference of waists, arms and leg, and fat distribution, is measured. They undergo ultrasounds of kidneys, thyroid and the carotid artery. Dr Sayers was particularly interested in whether low birth weight predicted future health status. She recruited the Indigenous cohort born at the Royal Darwin Hospital from 1987 to 1990. The study by the Menzies School of Health Research has reviewed the physical and emotional well being of nearly 900 Australians. Credit:Menzies School of Health Research The Top End cohort, a group of 196 non-Indigenous children the same age, was added later. When Cian was enrolled, he was born on time and on weight. He was healthier than others in the Aboriginal cohort: 13 per cent weighed less than 2.5 kilos, a similar rate to African countries, Angola and Kenya. Eight per cent were born early or pre-term. One-third of mothers were younger than 20, about half smoked through pregnancy, and many had limited prenatal care. Advertisement Dr Belinda Davison, the project leader of the study, said they had found children living in remote communities were born smaller and tended to be thinner than their peers in Darwin and regional centres. Those children born small continued to be smaller at each check in: 33 per cent were underweight at 11 and 18 years, with fewer underweight when they turned 25. Lennair Hill was born eight weeks premature and very sick with a heart problem. Credit:Donna Sinclair The tests have also assessed emotional and mental wellbeing. Dr Davison said she had been concerned by the rates of psychological distress among the 18-year-olds. Around then, deaths in the group from suicide also rose. Since then, researchers have been measuring levels of cortisol - a stress hormone. She said the results of its four waves - as newborns, then as 11-year-olds, 18 and 25 - have resulted in improvements that have contributed to closing the gap in lifespan, and physical and mental health. And they illustrated the need for different programs and policies for people living in remote communities. Advertisement When the Indigenous children were 11, for example, blood tests showed anaemia - from lack of iron - was much higher in remote communities. Children low in iron are likely to get sick and not develop at the same rate as other children. In Barunga, a town about an hour from Katherine, health workers found 45 out of the 50 children under five in the community in 1998 suffered from severe anaemia. That resulted in 200 visits a year to Katherine Hospital, said Peter Wordsworth, the manager of the Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporations clinic at Barunga. An iron supplement program turned that around. Within 18 months there were zero admissions, Mr Wordsworth said. Instead of being given a painful iron injection, children were given iron supplements in orange juice. A review of the Barunga program by the Menzies School attributed the success to its decision to employ local Aboriginal mothers to consult the community and counsel other parents. Advertisement Jadah Pleiter grew up thinking she could do anything in life a belief she is passing to her own children. She is happy her five children feel proud they are Indigenous. Theyre growing up thinking, This is something were not only proud of in our house, but my friends at school are as well, and my identity is celebrated, rather than being something that you should try and hide. Jadah Pleiter at home with children Justus, Honour, Mercy and Jordan. Credit:Paul Jeffers At the start of NAIDOC Week, Mrs Pleiter, who lives in Melbournes south-east, is telling her story as part of the Victorian governments Deadly & Proud campaign. She is the chief executive of a personal protective equipment (PPE) supply company Panku Safety Solutions, which has taken off during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Minister Roger Cook says Western Australia is on track to return to pre-COVID life by the end of the week if the state continues to record no cases in the community. WA recorded one new COVID-19 case on Sunday, the second day out of a four-day circuit-breaker lockdown for the Greater Perth region. Health Minister Roger Cook said part of returning to normal life hinged on having as many West Australians tested and vaccinated. Credit:Getty The new case was the partner of a 32-year-old woman who visited Mobius Health and Performance gym in Joondalup. Mr Cook on Sunday said because the man was a close contact of case 1023, he had been in quarantine since June 26 and was not a great public health risk. Health and education officials are finalising a plan to ensure all NSW students will return from holidays next week, with strict measures around drop off and pick up, and no school events or sport. Home learning is not under consideration, although the NSW government will consider tailoring restrictions in schools dependent on case numbers in particular areas. South Coogee Public School has seen four students acquire the Delta variant in the latest outbreak. Credit:Peter Rae NSW recorded 16 new cases of community transmission on Sunday, 13 of whom were in isolation during their infectious period. Three were residents of an aged care home in Sydneys north-west. The SummitCare facility at Baulkham Hills went into lockdown as the infected residents were transferred to Westmead Hospital as a precautionary measure. Manila: A Philippines Air Force troop plane crashed on Sunday, killing at least 45 people in the countrys worst military air disaster in nearly 30 years. Another 49 soldiers were rescued after surviving the fiery crash in a coconut grove outside the Jolo airport in Sulu province, including some who jumped off the aircraft before it exploded, military officials said. Three of seven villagers who were hit on the ground died. Rescuers search for survivors aafter Sundays crash. Credit:Joint Task Force-Sulu via AP Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among coconut palms as men in combat uniform milled around, while a column of thick black smoke rose into the sky. The aircraft had 96 people on board, including three pilots and five crew, while the rest were army personnel, the military said, adding only five soldiers remained unaccounted for late on Sunday (local time). The pilots survived but were seriously injured. Ferryx, a biotech company tackling gastrointestinal inflammation, pitched against ten other startups from Bristols world-leading tech scene, to win Best Elevator Pitch at SETsquared Bristols Tech-Xpo on Wednesday 30 June. SETsquared Bristol is a University of Bristol-led incubator, supporting the growth of technology-based businesses, helping them move from initial ideas into commercial viability. Tech-Xpo is SETsquared Bristols flagship pitch, demo, connect showcase, providing a platform for startups to showcase their innovative technologies and raise investment. Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from the University of Bristol, Ferryx are tackling the problem of no effective treatment for gastrointestinal inflammation during active disease which does not present negative side effects. Their lead product (FX856) is being developed as a prescription therapeutic to target inflammatory bowel disease, which affects 6.8 million people worldwide. FX856 is a live bacterial product which is able to survive and thrive under high iron conditions. During periods of active inflammation, stress or following surgery there is an increase in levels of iron in the gut. While most constituents of the gastrointestinal microbiome are able to grow under conditions of increased iron availability, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, frequently employed as probiotics, are rapidly outcompeted and cannot have a beneficial effect. Ferryx hope to announce their first UK license deal soon and are looking for first investment to accelerate their growth into the pharmaceutical market. Jenny Bailey, CEO of Ferryx said: Were absolutely thrilled to win Tech-Xpos Best Elevator Pitch. We pitched to make connections and investments and we are already seeing interest on both accounts. The annual showcase was hosted as a hybrid event for the first time in its 17-year history, blending the best of both worlds with live pitches from Bristol enterprise hub, Engine Shed, along with a wider national audience of influential investors and business movers and shakers. Previous Tech-Xpo pitchers have gone on to achieve notable success. 2020 winners, KETS Quantum Security, have since raised 3.1 million to bring to market hardware to protect data from a new generation of cyberattacks that will use quantum computers. LettUs Grow, the 2018 winners, raised 2.35 million in 2020 to scale-up delivery of their vertical farming software, as well as partnering with specialist agri-food university, Harper Adams, to trial new technologies. Monika Radclyffe, Centre Director at SETsquared Bristol, said: We were proud to showcase an incredible diversity of tech at this years event, featuring startup founders who have the potential to make global impact and deliver innovative new products to market. Catherine Fletcher, Associate at Science Creates Ventures said: "SETsquareds Tech-Xpo delivered some great pitches from early-stage companies. As a new national investor based in the South West, we were excited to experience first-hand some of the talent from the growing Bristol and South West tech ecosystem." Nathan Guest, Corporate Partner and Head of VWVs Technology sector, said: We are delighted to sponsor Tech-Xpo for the 11th consecutive year. Our role as Lawyer - in - Residence to SETsquared Bristol remains a foundation of our support to tech and life science start - ups and scale - ups in the city region. Whilst it has been a very difficult year for many, we have been delighted to support several SETsquared companies on significant fundraising deals, and many others on other significant projects." Tech-Xpo 2021 was sponsored by VWV, Corrigan Accountants and QTEC. VWV and Corrigan Accountants are dedicated supporters of local tech innovation, each offering their pro-bono services to support SETsquared members. QTEC is the University of Bristols pre-incubator for innovators of quantum inspired technologies. As many as 81 per cent people support having rules for consumer e-commerce, but want more services-based platforms to have more clearly defined roles, a survey by community social media platform LocalCircles has found. The survey asked respondents to answer questions based on the recent draft Rules proposed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which is receiving inputs on the draft until July 6. The responses found 81 per cent consumers wanting sales of products and services over electronic or digital networks to be governed by a set of electronic commerce rules. Sixty-four per cent of consumers want to be implemented for all electronically sold services like app-based food delivery, app taxis, home repair, salon, airline & railway ticketing, OTT subscription, payments, etc., while 59 per cent said they must be implemented for e-commerce marketplaces and e-commerce inventory models, and 56 per cent said they must be implemented for vertical e-commerce i.e. e-pharmacies, e-groceries, etc. The survey by LocalCircles received more than 16,000 responses from consumers residing across 356 districts of India. Sixty-four per cent respondents were men, 36 per cent were women. Fifty-one per cent respondents were from tier-1, 26 per cent from tier-2 and 23 per cent respondents were from tier-3, 4 and rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs) has released draft Rules, which are an update of some guidelines the ministry had formalised last year. These Rules are currently in the draft stage and not final, but have ruffled feathers of several stakeholders. The ministry has sought comments from relevant stakeholders by July 6. Conversations on LocalCircles also discussed how effective and prior display of information about e-commerce services would help them make better and more informed decisions about using these services. For example, app-based aggregators like Uber, Ola could display information about taxi vendors/drivers, vehicle condition, license validity, PUC clearance of vehicles etc. Similarly, consumers discussed app based hotel e-commerce services like Oyo, AirBNB etc. and how advanced information about the property, owner, incidents/crime at location, fire and building safety clearances etc. will be useful information for them to make an informed decision. Various services platforms like travel aggregators, food delivery aggregators, event ticketing aggregators as well as platforms like airline websites selling air tickets, IRCTC selling train tickets were all identified as ecommerce services by the consumers. Various marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal were also a subject of discussions on how consumers are challenged at times in reaching out to the sellers in regard to counterfeit or fake products and the need of a mechanism where access to such sellers must be enabled by the marketplaces in a seamless manner. LocalCircles will be conducting extensive consumer consultations to gather details on the consumer pulse on the proposed amendment to Consumer Protection (eCommerce) Rules 2020, over the next two weeks. It will also write to the Department of Consumer Affairs requesting a two-week extension till July 20 to submit aggregate consumer feedback on the proposed amendments, and will also request that the department conducts an in-person or video consultation with key consumer bodies so the pulse of the consumer finds its due place in the amended Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules 2020. An flyer has sought damages from the airline after the recent leak of personal data of 4.5 million passengers including hers and her husband's. A legal notice was sent to management on Sunday by Ritika Handoo in which she said that the airline informed her about the breach on June 1, her lawyer said. Terming the breach as a violation of her "right to be forgotten and informational autonomy", she sought a compensation of Rs 30 lakh. Air India's passenger service system provider SITA faced a sophisticated cyberattack in February this year leading to the leak of personal data of 4.5 million passengers -- which included passengers of the national carrier -- from across the world, the email sent by the carrier said. The breach involved personal data registered between August 26, 2011 and February 20, 2021, with details that included name, date of birth, contact information, passport information, ticket information, Star Alliance and frequent flyer data (but no passwords data were affected) as well as credit cards data. "However, in respect of this last type of data, CVV/CVC numbers are not held by our data processor, the email said. Handoo, a Delhi-based journalist, in her notice to Air India accused it of "knowingly, intentionally and deliberately leaking the personal data and for breach of sensitive information. Noticees (Air India) are the guilty of leaking the sensitive information and personal data of my client. My client was shocked and alarmed to learn the recent security lapse of you the Noticees that has led to a massive personal data breach that includes sensitive personal information and personal data thereby, making my client's personal data open to exploitation, the notice sent through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey said. Referring to Chapter VII of the Company's Customer Care Data Privacy Policy, the notice said that it clearly provides that all customers retain control over their data/information to the extent possible so as to change the personal information in your records except in exceptional circumstances where it's a law and order issue. Now that my client does not have any control over personal information as the same is stolen, it violates my client's right to privacy and right to be forgotten as this loss of control over his personal data has led to a loss of my client's informational autonomy, which is guaranteed as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttuswamy (Retd.) & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors, the notice said. Data of 4.5 million passengers -- which includes Air India''s passengers -- across the world has been "affected" due to the cyberattack on SITA, the statement said. SITA is based out of Geneva in Switzerland. "Air India would like to inform its valued customers that its passenger service system provider has informed about a sophisticated cyber-attack it was subjected to in the last week of February 2021," the airline had said. E-commerce giant has launched the (IP) accelerator programme in India. It is offering sellers who are also brand owners (including small and medium-sized sellers) easy access to services from trusted IP experts and law firms. Businesses may choose to engage with these IP law firms to help secure trademarks, protect their brands, and tackle infringement, on India and websites globally. Establishing IP rights is essential for businesses of all sizes to differentiate their products, earn customer trust, and grow their business. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, leading to a lot of businesses dropping off along the way, said Pranav Bhasin, director, MSME and selling partner experience, Amazon India, adding, We are excited to launch the IP accelerator programme in India, to support sellers, especially small- and medium-sized sellers with nascent brands, in establishing IP protection. Bhasin said over 850,000 sellers are registered on Amazon in India, and the firm remains committed to bringing new tools, technology, and innovation to help them grow. Our accelerator programme enables businesses to protect their IP, which, in turn, helps to ensure an authentic shopping experience for everyone, said Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice-president, technology, brand protection, Amazon, adding, IP accelerator is already available in the US, Europe, and Canada, and we are excited to offer the advantages of this programme to our Indian businesses. The process of obtaining a trademark registration with the India, Trade Marks Registry can run up to as long as 18-24 months. Brand owners, especially from small and medium businesses, may find it time-consuming and complex to go through the process on their own. The IP accelerator programme helps them navigate this process by connecting businesses with trusted IP law firms that are subject matter experts in this field with experience in drafting trademark and other IP registration applications. Businesses can engage with these firms to overcome common hurdles that could otherwise delay the issuance of a registration. Businesses also have the option to avail of Amazon Indias brand protection services to effectively protect and manage their brand and IP on the marketplace before their trademark is officially registered. empowers brands through programmes like brand registry, transparency, and project zero, which use machine learning and automated systems to weed out potential counterfeits from the marketplace. Amazon said this is enabling brands to protect their IP rights. The IP accelerator was launched in the US in 2019, and has since expanded to Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and now India. The programme was pilot-launched in India in 2020, and has received positive feedback from businesses. Sellers with a new business set-up and young brand owners are particularly drawn to the convenience of finding easy access to trusted legal services. To date, six IP law firms have signed up to be service providers as part of the IP accelerator programme to support sellers on Amazon India, including Hasan and Singh, LexOrbis, Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, Amitabha Sen & Co., Remfry & Sagar, and H K Acharya & Company. We are happy to be associated with Amazons IP accelerator programme as a selected firm, said Sujata Chaudhri, founder, Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, adding, We are sure this programme will create an excellent platform for small, medium, and start-up firms in India to get connected with a proven and trusted network of IP law firms in India, thereby giving access to various brand protection tools. We look forward to an engaging association with sellers on The IP accelerator can be accessed by sellers on Amazon Indias service provider network (SPN), offering the benefit of availing of the service at a single place. Sellers do not incur any additional cost in accessing IP accelerator firm listings on SPN and can choose to engage with law firms directly and independently for services of their choice at mutually agreed-to terms. The total turnover of GCMMF, which markets dairy products under brand, grew 2 per cent to Rs 39,200 crore despite the COVID-19 pandemic, its Managing Director R S Sodhi said on Sunday. Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) had posted a 17 per cent jump in revenue during the financial year 2019-20 to Rs 38,550 crore. In an interview with PTI, Sodhi said the growth slowed down during the last fiscal but he expects sales to bounce back in the current financial year 2021-22. "We achieved two per cent growth in turnover during the last fiscal year to Rs 39,200 crore," Sodhi told PTI. However, he highlighted that the turnover of its branded consumer products like fresh milk, cheese, curd, butter milk and paneer increased 8.5-9 per cent. Sodhi said sales of ice cream were down 35 per cent last fiscal mainly because of the nationwide lockdown during summer. He added that the commodity business of products like skimmed milk powder (SMP) was also impacted. The household consumption of milk and other dairy products remained strong but the demand from hotels, restaurants and cafeterias (HoReCA segment) was severly affected, he said. "We expect to return to higher double-digit growth during the current financial year," Sodhi said. The cooperative sells 150 lakh litres of milk per day; of which, Gujarat contributes around 60 lakh litres, Delhi-NCR 35 lakh litres and Maharashtra 20 lakh litres, he added. It also sells milk in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata. GCMMF has an installed processing capacity of 360 lakh litre per day. Recently, GCMMF hiked milk prices of by Rs 2 per litre across India from July 1 due to an increase in input costs. Rates have been increased after one and a half years. As a policy, GCMMF passes on almost 80 paise of every rupee paid by consumers for milk and milk products to the milk producers. The price revision would help in sustaining remunerative milk prices to its milk producers and to encourage them for higher milk production, it added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The pandemic may have impacted the offline retail business of mobile phone brands for a few months over the last two waves but the inherent strength of brick-and-mortar retail will remain intact in the long-run, India Brand strategy Director Nipun Marya said. Speaking to PTI, Marya said retail stores were closed for two months last year, and about one-and-a-half months this year amid the last two waves of the pandemic. "...as long as COVID is in our lives, and if we keep seeing waves like we saw a few months back, people will be hesitant of going to shops, and businesses on and off will suffer, including offline retail mobile phone business...from a long term point of view, however, I feel that the inherent strength of offline still remains intact," he added. Vivo, which has a presence across about 70,000 retail points in the country, sees most of its sales coming from offline retail. Marya noted that has delivered one lakh smartphones between May 10 and June 10, through its Smart Retail (VSR) programme. The "click-to-mortar" model was introduced by the company last year amid the pandemic. Under this model, Vivo accepts product-related queries from customers, and passes on the leads for sales to retailers that are in the vicinity of the customers, helping customers buy products from the safety of their homes. "...a programme like VSR is a big boon for both customers as well as retailers, because customers are getting the comfort and security of buying from the nearby retailer, and the retailer is getting business. So it's a win-win," he said. While there will be customers who are very comfortable buying phones without touch and feel, a bulk of the sales are still expected to happen through offline retail, Marya noted. Talking about the market, he said the industry is expected to see similar levels of growth in 2021 as last year. "We clearly lost two months last year. This year also, so far, I think we have lost nearly one-and-a-half months. So, if there is no further wave in that case, at least my sense is, the market and other things will pretty much be at the same level as last year," he said. Smartphone shipment in India grew a record 23 per cent in the March 2021 quarter to reach over 38 million units. Xiaomi led the market with a 26 per cent share, followed by Samsung (20 per cent share), Vivo (16 per cent share), Realme and Oppo (26 per cent share each). India's smartphone shipments declined by a modest 4 per cent to over 150 million units in the pandemic-hit year of 2020, with high consumer demand post lockdown and new use cases like work from home arresting a further fall. Another report pointed out that online channels accounted for about 45 per cent of the mobile phone sales in the country in 2020. On challenges like shortage of components and higher shipping charges, Marya said there is pricing pressure at a macro industry level. Vivo is yet to take a decision on price hike and is monitoring the situation closely, he added. Vivo, which is among the top three smartphone brands in the country, is also looking at bolstering its 5G portfolio in the country. "We have already announced that any phone that is Rs 20,000-plus, will be 5G and we will continue to do that...so we will continue our focus on 5G because we know now and in the coming times, customers will demand 5G. So if customers' requirement is 5G, then we must supply it," he said. The company is also looking at bringing 5G devices under the Rs 20,000 band - which comprises more than 80 per cent of the market. Marya, however, did not disclose the timeline for bringing a 5G handset in the under Rs 20,000 range. The company currently has about 5-6 models that are 5G-enabled. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal has directed Ltd to deposit Rs 4 crore as compensation because illegal blasting by it had caused damage to a number of houses in Pur village in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district. A bench headed by the tribunal's chairperson, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, issued an order for consideration of remedial action against illegal blasting and mining by Ltd, which resulted in damage to a number of houses. Cracks have developed on the walls of houses and there is leakage of water from underground tanks of some houses, it said. "Applying a rough and ready estimate, we assess such compensation to be Rs 1 lakh for each of the 375 affected persons mentioned in the report of the state PCB (Pollution Control Board) dated August 19, 2019," the bench said. "If the victims have higher claims, they are at liberty to take their remedies. M/s Ltd, Bhilwada, Rajasthan, is directed to deposit a sum of Rs 4 crores with the district magistrate, Bhilwada, within one month to enable compensation to be disbursed to the victims and for restoration of the environment," it said. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) said the company must take precautions in the future and blasting must be scientific so that it does not cause damage to properties of people. These will be treated as conditions for mining and blasting, apart from the laid down safeguards, it said. "In default of such deposit or non-observance of safety norms, the district magistrate, Bhilwada, will be at liberty to take coercive measures of stopping the mining activities, till compliance," the bench said. "The amount deposited may be paid at the rate of Rs 1 lakh to each affected person within three months after making an action plan by the district magistrate," it said. The green panel also asked the Rajasthan State Legal Service Authority to provide assistance to ensure that payments are made to the genuine victims. Out of the Rs 4 crore, the amount which remains unpaid, can be spent for ecological restoration of the area on the basis of an action plan, which will be prepared by district magistrate within two months and may be overseen by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board and the Rajasthan environment department, the bench said. "If any further amount is required, on polluter pays principle the project proponent will bear the same to extent its activities are held to be responsible even in absence of scientific evidence but based on reasonable inference, unless shown otherwise by the project proponent," it said. "The district magistrate will be free to take the assistance of such other expert/institution as may be considered necessary," the said. The regulatory authorities need to review its mechanism and must ensure laying down and monitoring compliance of safety precautions, the tribunal added. "Since the above order is being passed based on finding of damage to 375 houses in the report of the State PCB and quantum of compensation is being fixed on a most conservative assessment basis summarily, without applying the deterrence principle which may possibly be attracted on account of continuing violations for long, we have not considered it necessary to issue notice to the Project Proponent, the bench said. However, the project proponent is at liberty to move this tribunal if it is aggrieved by the order, the said. The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Rajasthan resident Balkrishan Vyas against illegal blasting and mining by Jindal Saw Ltd resulting in damage to number of houses. The houses have developed cracks on the walls and leakage of water is taking place from the underground water tanks of some houses, the plea said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Electric mobility start-up Oye! Rickshaw plans to invest up to $500 million (over Rs 3,700 crore) in the next three years to set up battery swapping infrastructure for electric three-wheelers across India, according to a top company official. The company, which is backed by investors such as Matrix Partners, Chiratae Ventures, Xiaomi and industrialist Pawan Munjal, will be putting in close to $20-30 million between this year and the next to accelerate its battery swapping business. It had set a target of deploying 10,000 lithium-ion batteries by the end of this year but the plans have been impacted by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and is now looking at deploying 6,500 lithium-ion batteries across 5,000 vehicles. Oye! Rickshaw is also focusing on expanding its delivery business which has grown multiple folds during the Covid-19 second wave to offset the impact on its ride business by the pandemic. "Talking about the next three years, we are going to invest somewhere close to (USD) 400 to 500 million. That's a big number as it seems but yes, that sort of is going to go in... and talking about a short term view, means this year or maybe next year, we are going to invest close to $20 to 30 million," Oye! Rickshaw CEO and Co-Founder Mohit Sharma told PTI. The investments will be for creation of battery swapping infrastructure across India, he added. The company currently has a presence mainly centred around Delhi-NCR and parts of Haryana with over 5,000 driver partners on its shared, electric, micro-mobility marketplace for e-rickshaws. Stating that the battery swapping business is a relatively new one for the company, Sharma said at present close to 250-300 driver partners have onboarded for battery swap. "By December 2021, most of our fleet is going to be on swap...Our plan is to double up our supply in the next five or six months...So these amount to about 6,500 batteries needed to be purchased," he added. When asked about the funding of the investment, Sharma said, "Right now we are sufficiently capitalised...also, the economics are working well for us. So, we are not into that cash burning game. We are very efficient in that sense but at the same time growing like 30 per cent month-on-month. I think the growth rate is fine with improving economics and for the next round, we are not immediately looking for funds." Last year, the company had raised $12 million. Commenting on the impact of the pandemic, Sharma said when the first wave hit, the company had "complete recalibration of the strategy of how we wanted to move forward. So, we front-loaded the delivery and the battery swap" to aid its ride business and set the target of deploying 10,000 lithium ion batteries and scale up delivery business in 10 more cities. The company was "completely 100 per cent on track till early part of April 2021", he said adding while the delivery business has doubled during the second wave, the rides business was impacted by around 80 per cent as people were not travelling, while the battery swapping has "largely been flat or with a minor impact on it". "Net-net, unlike last year, when we were impacted 100 per cent this year the impact was contained under like 30-40 per cent," Sharma said, adding now the company's target is to get back to the original plans by September 2021. Bullish on the market for its business, Sharma said the potential is huge with millions of users and it will further grow with Covid vaccinations increasing and people responding well. Oye! Rickshaw claims that it has over 13 lakh registered users with 91 lakh rides and 51 lakh deliveries completed. can raise funds through equity sale or promoters can infuse capital which can be used for clearing dues, non-profit entity Telecom Watchdog said in a letter to telecom minister while demanding rejection of the debt-ridden company's request seeking more time to pay dues of Rs 8,292 crore. (Vi) has approached the government to seek one-year moratorium on of spectrum instalment of over Rs 8,200 crore, due in April 2022. Vi, in a letter to the telecom secretary on June 25, 2021, said it would be unable to pay the instalment of Rs 8,292 crore due on April 9, 2022 due to cash being used for of AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues and the inability of the operations to generate the required cash in a predatory pricing situation. Vi has also said that while it is working on raising new funding for the past six months, investors are not willing to invest in the company because they believe that unless there is a significant improvement in consumer tariffs, the health of the industry will not recover and they will incur a loss on their investment. Telecom Watchdog in a letter dated July 3 alleged that there is no basis in Vi representation that investment is not coming to India due to lower tariffs and these "false claims by VIL are made with an ulterior motive to avoid of the next instalment of government dues." When contacted, a Vi spokesperson said, "Industry players have pointed out the tremendous stress in the telecom sector. COAI, the industry body representing all three private operators has over the last two years pointed out the need for support to the sector and unanimously asked for Floor pricing to be set for restoring the health of the sector. We would not comment on speculative commentary and ill-informed conclusions." The non-profit entity said that Vi promoters, Kumar Manglam Birla and Vodafone Group Plc are financially very strong and their reluctance in clearing government dues is not proper. According to the entity, Birla has a personal net worth of Rs 99,000 crores which is almost 50 per cent more than his net worth last year and Vodafone Group Plc's market valuation was Rs 3,40,000 crores as of July 2, 2021. "Both could have infused funds in the company to ensure timely payment of the government dues. Both have respectable images across the globe and should not have any constraint or difficulty in raising funds apart from improving operational performance of the company," the letter said. Promoters of Vi have made public statements that they will not infuse any fresh funds into the company. Telecom Watchdog alleged that the request of Vi inability to raise funds establish its mismanagement of affairs in terms of operation and financial management. "It (Vi) has miserably failed to raise funds by dilution of equity and upgrade its networks with latest technology to reduce cost etc," the letter said. The entity said the request of should not be considered as there cannot be any "factually incorrect misleading statements than those given by VIL" on the financial health of the Indian telecom sector. It said that both Jio and Bharti Airtel have raised funds by diluting their equity which shows that the Indian telecom sector is a bright star and Vodafone Idea request should be rejected as "there is no basis in VIL representation that investment is not coming to India due to lower tariffs". Telecom Watchdog said that the government cannot continue to extend benefits just to help and keep afloat one single company which is unable to manage its own affairs. "It is submitted that this is a fit case for a forensic audit of accounts for the last 10 years at least to examine misrepresentation of facts to lenders or diversion of funds to delay or avoid payment of government dues," the letter claimed. Vi has reported narrowing of its consolidated loss to Rs 7,022.8 crore for the quarter ended March 2021, mainly on account of cost optimisation. The company had posted a loss of Rs 11,643.5 crore in the same period a year ago. Total income declined by about 19 per cent to Rs 9,647.8 crore from Rs 11,920.4 crore in the corresponding quarter of 2019-20. For the year ended March 31, 2021, Vi loss narrowed to Rs 44,233.1 crore from Rs 73,878.1 crore at the end of 2019-20. The gross debt (excluding lease liabilities) on VI as of March 31, 2021 was Rs 1,80,310 crore, comprising of deferred spectrum payment obligations of Rs 96,270 crore and AGR (adjusted gross revenue) liability of Rs 60,960 crore that is due to the government and debt from banks and financial institutions of Rs 23,080 crore. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking that the country's highest civilian award should be given this year to all doctors, nurses and paramedics who served the people amid the pandemic. It will be a true homage to who lost their lives, he said. In the letter to the prime minister, Kejriwal said this year's should be conferred upon doctors, nurses and paramedics. Many and nurses sacrificed their lives fighting Corona. If we honour them with then it will be a true tribute to them.Lakhs of and nurses served people selflessly without worrying about their lives and families. There can be no other better way (than honouring them with Bharat Ratna) to thank and honour them, he wrote in the letter in Hindi. He also stressed that if necessary changes should be made in rules so that the medical community can be awarded the highest civilian award. If rules do not permit to confer Bharat Ratna on a group, then I request you to change rules. Entire country is grateful towards our doctors. Every citizen of the country will be happy if they (doctors) are honoured with Bharat Ratna, Kejriwal appealed to the PM in the letter. Earlier in the day, the chief minister has also tweeted on the same matter. "The 'Indian Doctor' should receive Bharat Ratna this year. 'Indian Doctor' means all doctors, nurses and paramedics. It will be a true homage to all martyred doctors. It will be an honour of those who have been serving without caring for their lives and families. The whole country will be glad at this," Kejriwal had said in a tweet in Hindi. As many as 730 doctors have succumbed to coronavirus infection during the second wave, according to data available by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in mid-June. Bihar saw the maximum number of 115 deaths, followed by Delhi at 109, Uttar Pradesh 79, West Bengal 62, Rajasthan 43, Jharkhand 39, and Andhra Pradesh 38, the data showed. According to the IMA, 748 doctors died in the first wave of the pandemic. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiv Sena MP on Sunday said the opposition BJP should allow the two-day of the legislature to function smoothly if it has the interest of the state's people in mind. The two-day of the state legislature will begin on Monday. Talking to reporters here, Raut said the opposition should allow the legislature proceedings to go on smoothly for the two days. "Pandemonium is not the way to corner the government. Such tactics can be adopted by the other side as well. This will not solve problems of vaccination (against coronavirus), COVID-19, unemployment and economy," said Raut, whose party shares power with the NCP and Congress in as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. He said the government has several issues for discussion on problems being faced by people in the state. "If the BJP feels committed towards the welfare of the state, it will allow the legislature session to function. The people of the state want the two-day session not to be washed away in pandemonium," the Rajya Sabha member said. On reports that he met BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Saturday, Raut said "the more such rumours spread, the stronger the MVA alliance will become". "We may have political and ideological differences, but if we come face-to-face at public functions, we will cordially greet each other. I have had coffee with Shelar openly," the Sena's chief spokesperson said. To a query on the state government planning to bring a resolution in the legislature opposing three central farm laws, Raut said if the MVA is proposing such a resolution, it means all the three allies are in support of the resolution. NCP leader and Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Saturday said the state government will pass a resolution during the against the three central farm laws. Farmers have been camping at Delhi's borders since November 2020 with their demands that the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee minimum support price for crops. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Sunday demanded the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the role of the government and Prime Minister in the In a press statement, the party said the French Public Prosecution Services (PNF) has ordered an investigation by a French judge into the 2016 multi-billion-dollar deal for Rafale fighter jets entered into by the Modi government and a judicial probe was formally opened into the inter-governmental agreement on June 14, following a decision by the financial branch of the PNF. It further said official papers concerning the deal exposed by a French investigative website show that Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale jets, and Anil Ambani's Reliance Group entered into an agreement on March 26, 2015, 15 days before Modi's announcement of the new deal and the exclusion of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from it. "This reconfirms the apprehensions raised by the that PM Modi's turnaround from the earlier purchase agreement is mired in deep corruption and money laundering. "The politburo reiterates its demand raised in September, 2018 for the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the role of the prime minister and the government in this whole episode and establish the truth of the deal," the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Sunday reported a net reduction of 10,183 in active cases to take its count to 485,350. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 4.17 per cent (one in 24). The country is third among the most affected countries by active cases. On Saturday, it added 43,071 cases to take its total caseload to 30,545,433 from 30,502,362 an increase of 0.1%. And, with 955 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 402,005, or 1.31 per cent of total confirmed infections. With 6,387,849 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Saturday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 351,221,306. The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 29,658,078 or 97.09 per cent of total caseload with 52,299 new cured cases being reported on Saturday. Now the third-most-affected country by active cases and deaths, second by total cases, and first by recoveries, India has added 312,250 cases in the past 7 days. India now accounts for 4.17% of all active cases globally (one in every 24 active cases), and 10.06% of all deaths (one in every 10 deaths). India has so far administered 351,221,306 vaccine doses. That is 1149.83 per cent of its total caseload, and 25.2 per cent of its population. Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Maharashtra (38626243), Uttar Pradesh (37454006), Gujarat (37454006), Rajasthan (30431727), and West Bengal (26715857). Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Delhi (502775), Kerala (486315), Gujarat (486315), Uttarakhand (452885), and J&K (398157). Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 20 days. The count of active cases across India on Sunday saw a net reduction of 10,183, compared with 14,104 on Saturday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Maharashtra (723), Manipur (156), Arunachal Pradesh (93), Tripura (58), and Ladakh (3) . With 52,299 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 97.09%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.31%. The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.70%), Uttarakhand (2.15%), and Maharashtra (2.02%). The rate in as many as 18 is higher than the national average. Indias new daily closed cases stand at 53,254 944 deaths and 52,299 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 1.79%. Indias 5-day moving average of daily rate of addition to total cases stands at 0.2%. Indias doubling time for total cases stands at 491.2 days, and for deaths at 392.7 days. Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (12456), Maharashtra (9489), Tamil Nadu (4013), Andhra Pradesh (2930), and Odisha (2917). Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Maharashtra (96%) and Kerala (96.03%). India on Saturday conducted 1,838,490 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 418,254,953. The test positivity rate recorded was 2.3%. Five states with the highest test positivity rate (TPR) percentage of tested people turning out to be positive for Covid-19 infection (by cumulative data for tests and cases are Goa (17.91%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.59%), Maharashtra (14.39%), Kerala (12.64%), and Sikkim (12.32%). Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added are, Sikkim (18.43%), Manipur (15.51%), Meghalaya (15.51%), Kerala (10.39%), and Arunachal Pradesh (10.11%). Among states and UTs with more than 10 million population, five that have carried out the highest number of tests (per million population) are Delhi (1159959), J&K (745138), Kerala (656540), Karnataka (514122), and Uttarakhand (497792). The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6088841), Kerala (2961584), Karnataka (2852079), Tamil Nadu (2492420), and Andhra Pradesh (1899748). Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 9489 new cases to take its tally to 6088841. Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 12456 cases to take its tally to 2961584. Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 2082 cases to take its tally to 2852079. Tamil Nadu has added 4013 cases to take its tally to 2492420. Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 2930 to 1899748. Uttar Pradesh has added 111 cases to take its tally to 1706495. Delhi has added 86 cases to take its tally to 1434460. People who have taken both doses of the COVID vaccine can now visit from July 5 as the state government on Sunday lifted the temporary ban on the entry of visitors from other parts of the country following a dip in fresh coronavirus cases. The government had prohibited the entry of tourists since March this year following a surge in COVID-19 cases. The state Home Department, in a notification, said that fully vaccinated tourists can enter the Himalayan state through Rangpo in East and Melli in South Sikkim after exhibiting their vaccination certificates at the border check-gates. The state government also allowed hotels, guest houses and homestays to operate at 50 per cent capacity from Monday with strict adherence to COVID protocols. Shopping malls, showrooms and shops have also been allowed to open at full capacity with strict compliance with safety guidelines. All government offices can function with fully vaccinated employees, while staffers who have not yet received both the jabs can work with the present arrangement of 50 per cent attendance, the notification said. All factories and commercial establishments can also operate at 100 per cent capacity provided the staffers are fully vaccinated, it said. "The Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant Association (SHRA) welcomes the state government's decision to open the tourism industry, which is the mainstay of Sikkim's economy. We will ensure strict adherence to COVID guidelines," an executive member of the body told PTI. He claimed that the state's tourism industry bore a loss of around Rs 600 crores last year due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. A total of 21,131 people have tested positive for the infection in the Himalayan state so far, of whom 2,101 are undergoing treatment, while 18,469 have recovered from the disease, 308 have succumbed to the infection and 253 have migrated to other states till Sunday, a health department bulletin said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Oakland Zoo in California started this week with bears, mountain lions, and ferrets, the first of about 100 animals that are set to receive an experimental vaccine against the coronavirus over the summer. Zoetis, a veterinary pharmaceutical company, is donating 11,000 doses of the vaccine to about 70 zoos as well as sanctuaries, universities and other animal conservation sites in 27 US states, and the Oakland Zoo is one of the first to benefit. The vaccine is solely for animals, goes through a different approval process than for people, and cannot be used to protect humans. Our very first animals to get vaccinated at the zoo were two of our beautiful and elderly tigers, said Alex Herman, vice president of veterinary services at the Oakland Zoo. The Oakland Zoo has not had any cases of animals infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid in humans. But the zoo has taken extraordinary precautions, Herman said, by requiring that keepers maintain a safe distance from the animals and wear protective equipment. Big cats and other vulnerable animals like gorillas have, however, been infected at zoos in the and elsewhere. The San Diego Zoo in February vaccinated apes with the Zoetis vaccine, first tested in mink. From the start of the pandemic, pet owners, zookeepers, fur farmers and scientists all had their own particular concerns about animal infections. Pet owners have worried about the health of cats and dogs, while epidemiologists and public health officials have cautioned that some animal species domestic or wild could become a reservoir where the virus can live and mutate even as the world tries to stamp it down in people. The US Department of Agriculture has not considered any vaccine candidates for cats or dogs, and veterinarians have consistently noted that there is no evidence that pets transmit the virus to humans. For zoos, the question is not whether to vaccinate, but how to approach the patient when its a tiger. With lots of positive reinforcement, Herman said. The zoo trains its animals by giving them rewards to voluntarily present themselves to be jabbed. Its pretty much the same idea as getting a lollipop after a shot, although the animals seem more willing to volunteer than humans. The tiger leans against the fence, Herman said. The thousand-pound grizzly bear leans against the fence. Good tiger. Good bear. Over 43,071 fresh cases reported India reported 43,071 fresh infections on Sunday, taking the cumulative caseload to 30.5 million, according to central health ministry data. The country saw 955 deaths due to the pandemic, taking the death toll to 402,005. The active caseload is at 485,350, while the total recoveries have surged to 29.6 million. As many as 35.1 million vaccine shots have been administered since the nationwide inoculation programme kicked off on January 16. Of these, 6.3 million were given on Saturday. Read more Maharashtra breaks its daily vaccination record Maharashtra administered 801,847 Covid vaccine shots on Saturday, surpassing its previous daily record, an official told The Indian Express. The previous best daily record was on June 26 when the state was able to administer 738,704 vaccines in a single day. The official said over the last three months the state has been able to consistently maintain its top position in the vaccination drive. Read more Second Covid wave hit younger Indians more: govt study The second wave affected a higher proportion of younger people compared to the first wave, a report in ThePrint said that cited a new government study based on a clinical profile of individuals who have been hospitalised over the last year and a half. Mean age of the patients was significantly lower in the second wave with a higher proportion of patients in the younger age group intervals of <20, and 20-39 yr, the study said. Only 3.8 per cent of hospitalised Covid patients in the country fell in the below-20 age group in the first wave. In the second wave, this figure rose to 4.4 per cent, the study said. Read more Third wave may see half of daily cases observed in second surge, says scientist on govt panel A scientist of a government panel tasked with modelling Covid infections has said a potential third wave could peak between October and November if pandemic norms are not followed, but it may only see half the daily cases recorded during the second wave, according to a media report. Manindra Agarwal who is working with the Sutra Modelthe mathematical projection of the Covid-19 trajectorysaid the pandemic can spread faster during the third wave if any new virulent variant emerges. Read more Daman and Diu achieves 100% vaccination target with the first dose The first dose of a Covid vaccine has been administered to 100% of the eligible population in the union territory Daman and Diu, a report in The Indian Express said. Daman has recorded 3,478 Covid cases to date with one death, while 3,460 have recovered, according to health department sources. The test positivity rate (TPR) was 3.04 per cent, while the recovery rate stood at 99.48 per cent, the report said. Read more Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president on Sunday sought the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha against the alleged forcible eviction of her party leaders, including former legislators, from their government quarters. Mehbooba alleged that the administration is selectively targeting PDP leaders and made them vacate their official residences in Srinagar without providing any alternate accommodation. The former chief minister warned that she would hold the Lt Governor administration responsible if anything untoward happens with them. I am deeply concerned by the manner in which the administration is selectively targeting PDP leaders and ex-MLAs. At a time when militancy is on the rise yet again, they have been made to vacate their official residences in Srinagar without providing any alternate accommodation, Mehbooba said in a letter addressed to Sinha. She said what makes matters worse is that even after the repeated requests of the party leaders to grant them security in villages where they originally reside, these requests have been declined. The state administration has cited the presence of militants for their refusal to provide security. But the same administration has no qualms in evicting them from secure government accommodations in Srinagar and deliberately putting them in harm's way, the PDP chief said in her communication. In an apparent reference to the killing of newly elected panchayati and urban local bodies representatives in the Valley, Mehbooa said it is no secret that in recent times we have witnessed how elected representatives have been targeted and even killed since they are soft targets especially when they are not provided with adequate security. Let me also bring to your notice that the former MLA from PDP Zahoor Mir has been a victim of militancy himself. His father (former MLA Abdul Aziz Mir) was shot dead by militants (December 2002), the PDP leader said. She said, In such circumstances I find it surprising and extremely distressing that while on one hand there is a section of new politicians who are given all kinds of facilities including security to facilitate their movement throughout J-K. But on the other hand, members of PDP are treated with utter disdain and contempt. It is almost as if the administration is intentionally putting their lives at risk. Seeking the intervention of the Lt Governor to take corrective steps immediately, Mehbooba said she would like to place it on record that if anything untoward happens to any of my party men, I would hold this administration responsible. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Toeing Aam Aadmi Party convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's 'mantra' to woo the people in Punjab by announcing pre-poll sops of free and subsidised electricity, Congress leader and former state minister Navjot Sidhu on Sunday advocated for a 24-hour supply with no power cuts and free power up to 300 units. "Punjab already provides Rs 9,000 crore subsidy but we must do more for domestic and industrial consumer giving power at Rs 3-5 per unit instead of surcharge inflated Rs 10-12 per unit, along 24-hour supply with no power cuts and free power (up to 300 units)," Sidhu said in a tweet, adding, "It is definitely achievable." He further said: "Let us start with the Congress high command's pro-people 18-point agenda and get rid of the faulty un-negotiable Badal-signed Power Purchase Agreements through 'new legislation in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha' and fixing rates as per the power exchange with no fixed charges!" Sidhu's assertions on power outages in Punjab came days after AAP convenor Kejriwal kicked off a campaign in the state by announcing free and subsidised electricity, his tested formula in Delhi. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on June 29, Kejriwal offered free up to 300 units and promised to waive off all the old bills and arrears, if AAP forms the government in Punjab. On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said his government would be soon announcing its legal strategy to counter the "ill-conceived" power purchase agreements (PPAs) during the previous SAD-BJP regime. In a series of tweets two days back, Sidhu had blamed the PPAs that the previous government had signed with three private thermal power plants and said "till 2020 Punjab has paid Rs 5,400 crore due to faulty clauses in these agreements. It is expected to pay Rs 65,000 crore of people's money just as fixed charges". Favouring the need to set aside the PPAs, Sidhu had said the state can purchase power from the national grid at much cheaper rates. "But these Badal-signed PPAs are acting against Punjab's public interest. Punjab may not be able to re-negotiate these PPAs due to them having legal protection from honourable courts, But there is a way forward," he had said. Facing severe crisis, the Punjab government last week curtailed timings of the government offices, and cut down power supply to high energy consuming industries to save crops and ease the domestic power situation. Sidhu had resigned from his post as a Punjab Cabinet Minister on July 14, 2019 after differences with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh over portfolio allocation. Sidhu was in-charge of local bodies but was shifted to the Power Department. Party sources said a section of the Congress central leadership wants to suitably compensate Sidhu, who has been pushed to the sidelines, by making him as the state party chief. However, a section of the Hindu legislators, owing allegiance to the Chief Minister, are not accepting Sidhu's induction. Their agreement is that the party cannot afford to have two Jat Sikh leaders in prominent roles -- one as a Chief Minister and another as state party chief. Speculations in political circles are rife that Sidhu may join the AAP ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections. --IANS vg/dpb (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 15 million people in the US have missed their second dose of the coronavirus vaccine, handing an intriguing problem to the authorities amid varying immunisation timelines and the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant, according to media reports on Sunday. As of June 16, nearly 11 per cent of vaccine recipients in the US have not taken their second dose, The Washington Post reported quoting data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The second dose is considered 'missed', if 42 days have elapsed since the first shot, the newspaper reported. Ideally, the second jab is advised three weeks after the first Pfizer-BioNTech shot or four weeks after the first Moderna shot. The health department is considering a booster shot on top of the two m-RNA jabs, however authorities admit the case could get complicated for the ones who have missed their second doses. Health officials are further concerned as the delta variant -- first identified in India -- continues to spread. Last week, the World Health Organization cautioned that the Delta variant is continuing to evolve and mutate placing the world in a very "dangerous period" of the pandemic. Compounded by more transmissible variants, like Delta, which is quickly becoming the dominant strain in many countries, we are in a very dangerous period of this pandemic, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing. In a report, CNN said the vaccines are far more effective against the Delta variant but for that both jabs need to be administered. The Delta variant has so far been detected in at least 95 countries, though the number is believed to higher as some countries may not have the sequencing capacity to identify the strain. Disease expert Kristen Marks told the Washington Post that if more people continue to skip the second dose the rate of new infections will increase. "Most of the covid cases we've seen in vaccinated people that have landed in the hospital have been people who haven't yet gotten the second dose. I think that's telling us something," the New York-based medical practitioner said. US Medical officials enlisted a number of possible reasons why many have missed their second jabs, though reiterating its not a good sign. Some mistakenly believe one dose is enough to be protected, some bail out considering the unpleasant (sometimes) side effects, some people simply confront scheduling problems, The Washington Post article read. Now, the officials are not considering a change in tact to enforce the seriousness of both jabs. The coronavirus has so far killed 605,499 people, along with 33,715,157 confirmed infections in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties on Sunday stepped up demands for a probe into the purchase of Rafale combat jets after French authorities ordered an investigation into and favouritism in the deal. A French judge has been appointed to lead a highly sensitive judicial probe into suspected corruption and favouritism in the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal with India, French investigative website Mediapart has reported. The Congress called for an investigation into the allegations, including changes in the terms of the contract for the 2016 purchase of 36 fighters from Dassault Aviation SA. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said a fair joint parliamentary committee be constituted immediately and every aspect of the be investigated. Khera sought to know that in an inter-governmental defence deal, where there cannot be any middlemen or corruption, when the beneficiary of any corruption has ordered a probe, why has a country, which has lost public money, not ordered one? He alleged that the government led by Prime Minister makes a lot of noise about security, but undermines the country's security interests when it comes to helping its crony capitalist friends. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi attacks govt on Rafale deal, day after demanding JPC probe Congress leader put out an online survey asking why the Modi government was not ready for it. Among the choices given by Gandhi to the question were guilt conscience, saving friends, does not want a Rajya Sabha seat and all the above. Why is the Modi government not ready for a probe? guilt conscience, saving the friends, does not want a Rajya Sabha seat and all of these are right, he said in Hindi on Twitter, while putting out the survey. The TMC also demanded a transparent probe into the Rafale aircraft deal. Why did the price of Rafale fighter aircraft go up thrice the initial bid? Why did the defence ministry still strike a deal? We want an answer, TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said. leader Sitaram Yechury reiterated the demand for a JPC probe. In a tweet on Sunday, Yechury said the French judicial investigation into the deal reconfirms the apprehensions raised by the that PM Modis turnaround from the earlier purchase agreement, is mired in deep and money laundering. On Saturday, the BJP had termed the allegations lies. BJP spokesperson Sambit had also sought to play down the appointment of a judge, saying the development was an outcome of a complaint by an NGO and should not be seen as a matter of Thailand on Saturday reported its highest daily rise in new COVID-19 cases in 47 days at 6,230, while deaths rose by 41. The country's tally now stands at 277,151, and the death toll has reached 2,182, according to the country's Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Of the new infections, four were imported and 6,226 were locally transmitted, of which nearly one third were registered in the capital Bangkok. The government currently has no intention to further tighten the existing COVID-19 restrictions, Nataphol Narkpanich, head of the CCSA subcommittee, was quoted as saying by local media. To fight the latest surge in infections, Thailand reimposed its dine-in ban in Bangkok and neighboring provinces late in June after lifting it one and half months ago. As of Friday, more than 10.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Thailand, with about 4.4 percent of its population fully vaccinated, CCSA data showed. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid reports that demands have been made from certain quarters to extend the deadline for submission of comments and suggestions on the draft e-commerce rules, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has described such requests as delaying tactics and said that there is no need for any extension of deadline. In a statement, Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said: "It has been learnt from media reports that few companies have asked for extension of the date for giving suggestions beyond July 6 deadline, which is an unjustified demand. The rules are not a rocket science which needs any investigation for providing suggestions and then why the extension is needed?" He was of the view that the draft rules are quite unambiguous and leave no or minimal scope for giving suggestions. "The demand for extension in time is nothing but a delaying tactic of few vested interest people," Khandelwal said. The traders' body which has been at the forefront of the movement for a level playing field for offline traders in relations to e-commerce companies said that the draft are competent to flush out the precedence of unethical and malpractices being conducted by foreign funded e-commerce companies. On the other hand, it will provide a valid guarantee to consumers that their complaints about any product or services will not go unheard and will be dealt with in a responsible manner and in a time bound period, it said in the statement. Earlier, the traders' body had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that no dilution is made in draft of under any pressure. As per the new draft regulations, no e-commerce entity shall allow any display or promotion of misleading advertisements, whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise. Further, if the norms come into effect, every e-commerce shall establish an adequate grievance redressal mechanism having regard to the number of grievances ordinarily received by such entity from India. Amazon and Flipkart, among others, will have to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, a Resident Grievance Officer and a nodal contact person in India. Further, if the draft rules are implemented flash sales may become history. --IANS rrb/sn/skp/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Philippine air force C-130 aircraft carrying combat troops assigned to fight Muslim militants crashed and exploded while landing in the south Sunday, killing at least 42 army soldiers on board and three civilians on the ground in one of worst disasters in the air force's history. At least 49 other soldiers were rescued with injuries and survived the fiery noontime crash into a coconut grove outside the Jolo airport in Sulu province, including some who managed to jump off the aircraft before it exploded and was gutted by fire, military officials said. Three of seven villagers who were hit on the ground died. The aircraft had 96 people on board, including three pilots and five crew while the rest were army personnel, the military said, adding only five soldiers remained unaccounted for late Sunday. The pilots survived but were seriously injured, officials said. The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was one of two ex-US Air Force aircraft handed over to the as part of military assistance this year. Officials said the injured personnel were brought to a hospital in Sulu or flown to nearby Zamboanga city and troops were continuing to search for the missing. A number of soldiers were seen jumping out of the aircraft before it hit the ground, sparing them from the explosion caused by the crash, a military statement said, citing witnesses. Initial pictures released by the military showed the tail section of the cargo plane relatively intact. The other parts of the plane were burned or scattered in pieces in a clearing surrounded by coconut trees. Soldiers and other rescuers with stretchers were seen dashing to and from the smoke-shrouded crash site, where a dark gray smoke billowed shortly after impact. The plane was transporting troops, many of them new soldiers who had just undergone basic training, from the southern Cagayan de Oro city for deployment in Sulu, officials said. They were supposed to join us in our fight against terrorism, Sulu military commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said. Government forces have been battling Abu Sayyaf militants in the predominantly Muslim province of Sulu for decades. It was not immediately clear what caused the crash. Regional military commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan said it was unlikely that the aircraft took hostile fire, and cited witnesses as saying that it appeared to have overshot the runway then crashed on the periphery of the airport. It's very unfortunate, military chief of staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana told reporters. The plane missed the runway and it was trying to regain power but failed and crashed. An air force official told The Associated Press that the Jolo runway is shorter than most in the country, making it more difficult for pilots to adjust if an aircraft misses the landing spot. The official, who has flown military aircraft to and from Jolo several times, spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. Initial pictures showed that the weather was apparently fine in Sulu, although other parts of the were experiencing rains due to an approaching tropical depression. The airport in Sulu's main town of Jolo is located a few kilometres (miles) from a mountainous area where troops have battled Abu Sayyaf militants. Some militants have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group. The US and the have separately blacklisted Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organisation for bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. It's been considerably weakened by years of government offensives but remains a threat. President Rodrigo Duterte expanded the military presence in Sulu to a full division in late 2018, deploying hundreds of additional troops, air force aircraft and other combat equipment after vowing to wipe out Abu Sayyaf and allied foreign and local militants. Government forces at the time were pursuing Muslim armed groups a year after quelling the five-month siege of southern Marawi city by hundreds of militants linked to the Islamic State group. More than 1,000 people, mostly militants and long-elusive Abu Sayyaf commanders, were killed in months of intense air and ground assaults. Sunday's crash comes as the limited number of military aircraft has been further strained, as the air force helped transport medical supplies, vaccines and protective equipment to far-flung island provinces amid spikes in COVID-19 infections. The Philippine air force has a history of tragic disasters. One of its aircraft crashed in a rice field north of Manila in 1971, killing 40 military personnel. A recently delivered S-701 Blackhawk helicopter crashed more than a week ago near Clark freeport, a former US air base, killing all six air force personnel on board. The Philippine government has struggled for years to modernise its military, one of Asia's least equipped, as it dealt with decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies and territorial rifts with China and other claimant countries in the South China Sea. Chinas cyberspace regulator ordered app stores to remove Didi Chuxing, dealing a major blow to a ride-hailing giant that just days ago pulled off one of the largest US initial public offerings (IPOs) of the past decade. The Cyberspace Administration of announced the ban Sunday, citing serious violations on Didi Globals collection and usage of personal information, without elaborating. That unusually swift decision came two days after the regulator said it was starting a cybersecurity review of the company. That effectively requires the largest app stores in China, operated by the likes of Apple and smartphone makers Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, to strike Didi from their offerings. But the current half-billion or so users can continue to order up rides and other services so long as they downloaded the app before Sundays order. The surprise probe and rapid decision by Chinas powerful internet regulator piles on the scrutiny of Didi over issues ranging from antitrust to data security. The company has been grappling with a broad antitrust probe into Chinese internet firms with uncertain outcomes for Didi and peers like major backer Tencent Holdings It lost as much as 11 per cent of its market value at one point on Friday, after the watchdog revealed its investigation. More broadly, Beijing has been curbing the growing influence of Chinas largest internet corporations, widening an effort to tighten the ownership and handling of troves of information that online powerhouses from Alibaba Group Holding to Tencent and Didi scoop up daily from hundreds of millions of users. The regulator on Sunday ordered Didi to rectify its problems following legal requirements and national standards, and take steps to protect the personal information of its users. On Sunday, the company said on its official social media account that it had already halted new user registrations as of July 3 and was now working to rectify its app in accordance with regulatory requirements. Didis IPO was led by Goldman Sachs Group, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase. In all, the ride-hailing firm appointed 20 advisers to manage the float. The CAC didnt specify on Friday what it will look into. But the timing of its announcements was significant, coming not just on the heels of Didis IPO but also the Communist Partys 100th anniversary celebrations in Beijing. Didi, one of the single largest investments in SoftBank Group Corp.s portfolio, defeated Uber Technologies in in 2016 before embarking on an ambitious expansion. It started trading on Wednesday in New York after a $4.4 billion initial public offering, pulling off the largest debut by a Chinese firm in the US after Alibaba. But Didi had to settle on going public at a far lower market value than previously targeted. It debuted at about $67 billion, barely up from its last round of funding in 2019, and far short of the most bullish expectations for $100 billion a reflection of the regulatory scrutiny thats hounded it ever since a pair of murders in 2018 that founder Cheng Wei has called its darkest days. The Beijing-based firm responded to the subsequent crackdown with a fusillade of efforts to improve security across its network. It began to explore new businesses to offset slowing ride-hailing growth, from car repairs to grocery delivery. That served it well during the coronavirus pandemic, when whole cities came to a standstill. The company delivered an $837 million profit in the March quarter a rarity among recent high-profile IPOs like Kuaishou Technology. The latest move against Didi underscores the uncertainty surrounding the Chinese governments crackdown on the internet sector. Earlier this year, the State Administration for Market Regulation announced it was looking into alleged abuses including forced merchant exclusivity arrangements at Meituan, also days after Chinas third-largest internet company raised $9.98 billion from a record share placement and convertible bonds sale. This is deeply unfair to investors, Brock Silvers, chief investment officer at Hong Kong-based private equity firm Kaiyuan Capital, said on Friday. And as a crucial matter of market integrity, Chinas regulators should cease allowing to list while under investigation. A notice on ride hailing giant Didi Global's app shows it updated user information and data privacy policy on June 29, one day ahead of its New York initial public offering. The policy will be effective on July 7, according to the notice. China's cyberspace regulator said Didi illegally collected user data and suspended its app from app stores. Didi did not immediately respond to a request for explanation on why it updated the policy that day. Chinese leaders are concerned about the influence of e-commerce, social media and other that pervade the lives of China's public. Most are privately operated. In April, Alibaba Group, the world's biggest e-commerce platform, was fined $2.8 billion on charges of violating anti-monopoly rules. security forces killed at least 25 people on Friday in a confrontation with opponents of the military junta at a town in the centre of the Southeast Asian nation, a resident and Myanmar-language media said on Sunday. A spokesman for the military did not respond to calls requesting comment on the violence at Depayin in the Sagaing region, about 300 km (200 miles) north of the capital, Naypyidaw. The state-run Global New Light of said "armed terrorists" had ambushed security forces patrolling there, killing one of them and wounding six. It said the attackers retreated after retaliation by the security forces. has been plunged into chaos by the Feb. 1 coup against elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with violence flaring in many parts of the country of more than 53 million people. One resident of Depayin, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, said four military trucks dropped soldiers at the village early on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A long process of negotiations, initiated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G-20 grouping of large economies, has come to an end with agreement on the taxation of multinationals. The impetus for this agreement is, in particular, the digitisation of the global economy, which makes it harder to pin down a tax base; the long process to end base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) has come to this conclusion. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Soon after being sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami held the first meeting of his cabinet at the secretariat on Sunday. "Very important decisions in the interest of the state's youth and the unemployed were taken at the cabinet meeting," Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal told reporters after the meeting. Important decisions were also taken about the immediate needs of the state, he added. However, a detailed briefing on the cabinet meeting will be held on Monday, official sources said. Dhami was sworn in as the 11th chief minister of the state on Sunday. A two-time MLA from Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district, Dhami replaced Tirath Singh Rawat, who resigned on Friday. Dhami has taken over the reins of power at a time when has just a few months to go for the assembly polls, which are due early next year. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) St. Johnsbury, VT (05819) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks in the House Chamber after they reconvened for arguments over the objection of certifying Arizona's Electoral College votes in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP, File) A proposed design for a historical marker for Topsail Park in Beaufort from the Middle Passage Project Committee incorporates part of a map of the historical slave trade routes, as well as old newspaper clippings. (Middle Passage Project Committee graphic) The County Board of Education adopted a state-mandated mental health policy, which took effect July 1, during a special meeting Monday. (Cheryl Burke photo) The mouse is heading to the Met. The New York museum is preparing to host its first-ever exhibition about Disney hand-drawn animation. The show which will trace the influence of European art on the man and his studio. Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts, which runs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from December 10, 2021 to March 6, 2022, will reveal how Disney artists drew on Gothic Revival architecture and Rococo motifs when creating movies like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast, which like so many Disney films are based on folk tales widespread in Europe. The focus will be on France, a country to which Walt Disney had a personal connection (his ancestors came from the town of Isigny-sur-Mer, hence the original form of their name, dIsigny). Footage of Walt and his family in France will be shown alongside miniature artistic objects he bought while traveling around the country. Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 file photo, Cardinal Angelo Becciu looks down as he meets the media during a press conference in Rome. The Vatican's criminal tribunal on Saturday, July 3, 2021 indicted 10 people, including a cardinal, and four companies on charges including extortion, abuse of office and fraud in connection with the Secretariat of State's 350 million-euro investment in a London real estate venture. Also indicted was another once-powerful Holy See official, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who helped engineer the initial London investment when he was the chief of staff in the Secretariat of State. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File) A Vatican judge on Saturday indicted 10 people, including a once-powerful cardinal, on charges including embezzlement, abuse of office, extortion and fraud in connection with the Secretariat of States 350 million-euro investment in a London real estate venture. The president of the Vatican's criminal tribunal, Giuseppe Pignatone, set July 27 as the trial date, according to a Vatican press statement. The indictments were handed down following a sprawling, two-year investigation into how the Secretariat of State managed its vast asset portfolio, much of which is funded by the Peters Pence donations from the faithful. The scandal has resulted in a sharp reduction in donations and prompted Pope Francis to strip the office of its ability to manage the money. Five former Vatican officials, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu and two officials from the Secretariat of State, were indicted, as well as Italian businessmen who handled the London investment. Also indicted on alleged embezzlement charges was an Italian intelligence expert accused of buying luxury goods with Holy See money intended to help free Catholics held hostage Vatican prosecutors accuse the main suspects of bilking millions of euros from the Holy See in fees and other losses related to financial investments that were funded in large part by donations to the pope for works of charity. The suspects have denied wrongdoing. One of the main suspects in the case, Italian broker Gianluigi Torzi, is accused of having extorted the Vatican out of 15 million euros to turn over ownership of the London building in late 2018. Torzi had been retained by the Vatican to help it acquire full ownership of the building from another indicted money manager who had handled the initial investment in 2013, but lost money on what the Vatican said were speculative, imprudent investments. Vatican prosecutors allege Torzi inserted a last-minute clause into the contract giving him full voting rights in the deal. The Vatican hierarchy, however, signed off on the contract, with both the pope's No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and his deputy approving it. Neither was indicted. In addition, Francis himself was aware of the deal and Torzi's involvement in it. Vatican prosecutors have produced evidence suggesting the Vatican hierarchs were hoodwinked by Torzi and aided in part by an Italian lawyer who was also indicted Saturday into agreeing to the deal. Torzi has denied the charges and said the accusations were the fruit of a misunderstanding. He is currently in London pending an extradition request by Italian authorities, who are seeking to prosecute him on related charges. Also indicted was a onetime papal contender and Holy See official, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who helped engineer the initial London investment when he was the chief of staff in the Secretariat of State. Francis fired him as the Vaticans saint-making chief last year, apparently in connection with a separate issue: his 100,000-euro donation of Holy See funds to a diocesan charity run by Beccius brother. Vatican News, the in-house media portal, said Becciu had originally not been part of the London investigation but was included in May 2020 after it appeared that he was behind the proposal to buy the building. Prosecutors also accuse him of interfering in the investigation, by allegedly trying to have one of the witnesses change his story. In a statement Saturday issued by his lawyers, Becciu insisted on the absolute falsity" of the accusations against him and denounced what he said was unparalleled media pillory" against him in the Italian press. "I am the victim of a plot hatched against me and I have been waiting for a long time to know any accusations against me, to allow myself to promptly deny them and prove to the world my absolute innocence," he said. Only by considering this great injustice as a test of faith can I find the strength to fight this battle of truth." Becciu has denied wrongdoing in the London investment; he has admitted he made the donation but insisted the money was for the charity, not his brother. One of Beccius proteges, Cecilia Marogna, was indicted on embezzlement charges. Becciu had hired Marogna as an external consultant after she reached out to him in 2015 with concerns about security at Vatican embassies in global hotspots. Becciu authorized hundreds of thousands of euros of Holy See funds to her to free Catholic hostages, according to WhatsApp messages reprinted by Italian media. Her Slovenian-based holding company, which received the funds, was among the four companies also ordered to stand trial. Marogna has said the money wired to her was compensation for legitimate security and intelligence work and reimbursements for her expenses. Vatican News, citing the indictment, say she spent the money on purchases that were incompatible with the humanitarian scope of her company. Also indicted were the former top two officials in the Vaticans financial watchdog agency, for alleged abuse of office. The watchdog agency had actually launched an international investigation into the London deal months before Vatican prosecutors had. But prosecutors say that by failing to stop the Torzi deal, they performed a decisive function" in letting it play out, Vatican News said. Other suspects didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. Photo: The Canadian Press After nearly 16 months of rigid travel restrictions, Canada is finally starting to loosen the rules but only for a specific few. Effective Monday, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents those who have had a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada will be able to skip the 14-day quarantine. Eligible air travellers will also be exempt from the requirement that they spend their first three days in Canada in a government-approved hotel. But the Canada Border Services Agency has a warning: would-be travellers will still be prohibited from entering the country if they were not eligible to travel to Canada before Monday. Travellers must use the ArriveCAN app or web portal prior to departure to log their vaccination details, as well as the results of a negative COVID-19 test that's less than three days old. Anyone who arrived before Monday will still be required to spend a full two weeks in quarantine upon arrival, the agency says. "If you were unable to come to Canada on July 4 of this year, you can't come in on July 5 there's been no change to all of the restrictions and the provisions that have been issued on that front," said Denis Vinette, CBSA vice-president, travellers branch. "However, for those that can come to Canada, it's a very cautious, early first step in starting to delay or remove some requirements at the border." Vinette said the agency is anxious to ensure people understand what is changing, as well as what is not, in order to prevent excessive delays or tie-ups at border control points. "I think we can expect, certainly in the early days, individuals believing that, you know, July 5 is here, Canada is now open for tourism, recreation and things of that nature. That is not the case," he said. "We've prepared our front-line staff, who've been having to deal with this since the onset, for those types of scenarios." The ArriveCAN portal can be accessed either via the Apple or Android app or online via the federal government's website at canada.ca. Travellers are required to use the latest version of the app, which will be updated when the regulations change. The mutual travel restrictions between Canada and the United States which prohibit all discretionary travel between the two countries while continuing to allow the movement of trade, essential workers and international students are due to expire July 21. Photo: BCWS Help is close at hand for exhausted BC firefighters. During a Sunday news briefing on the situation in the province, Cliff Chapman with the BC Wildfire Service said 100 out-of-province personnel are due to arrive in Abbotsford Monday. They will be screened for COVID-19 and then deployed to where they are needed. The federal government is also working to have military personnel ready to go. They've moved or they're in the process of moving 350 individuals, ground troops, into Edmonton in support of the potential for B.C. to need those ground resources," Chapman said. "Additional to that, we are in the process of locking in some aircraft, whether that be the Hercules aircraft, and as well some rotary wing aircraft to support the movement of our people so that we can move our own staff around the province as fires escalate potentially. So [we're] hopeful to see those resources arriving in B.C. this week." The RCMP investigation into the cause of the fire that destroyed most of the Village of Lytton is still in its early stages. The RCMP is working with the BC Wildfire Service to try and determine the cause and origin of the fire, said Dawn Roberts, the director in charge for BC RCMP Communications. The investigation is a priority, and remains active and ongoing. We have no timeline on how long it will take, but it will be thorough, and we ask for everyone's patience to allow the investigators time and space in order to determine the facts. Roberts did confirm investigators have connected with CN and CP, and railway officials indicated they would support and assist where possible. She did not confirm if rail crew members had been interviewed yet. Roberts also addressed the situation for residents who have said they want to be allowed back into Lytton to assess the damage, or check on livestock and pets they left behind. The area has been continually assessed with respect to access, and there are still significant and ongoing safety and environmental hazards. We are working very closely with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and BC Wildfire Service around decisions relating to access. There are a number of agencies in the area assessing things like safety hazards and damage or repair to critical infrastructure, said Roberts. They are equipped with protective gear and they're specially trained in the areas of search and recovery so we do ask for your continued patience with respect to any road closures or checkpoints that are in place at this time. There is no update on when Highway 1 will be reopened through the Fraser Canyon. Read all the news online FREE, for 30 days at no charge. After the trial period well bill your credit card just $6 per month. The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement. Tennessee lawmakers passed several key pieces of legislation this year that officials said will improve and impact the states court system. State court officials said, "From the creation of new three-judge panel to hear certain constitutional challenges to the expansion of recovery courts and safe baby courts, the new laws allow the courts to modernize and innovate. Several pieces of legislation also focus on improving data collection in the state courts and in juvenile courts, which will allow for data driven decision making and better resource allocation while continuing the Administrative Office of the Courts efforts to be a world-class repository of court data from every level of court in the state." This was a tremendously busy legislative session, much of which occurred while the state was still impacted by COVID-19, said Deborah Taylor Tate, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The General Assembly did an excellent job of moving through legislation that will make the courts more efficient and effective, and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication to the third branch of government. In addition to passing legislation, the General Assembly also confirmed Judge Jill Bartee Ayers to the Court of Criminal Appeals in April 2021. In addition, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly provided new appropriations to shore up indigent representation, the court systems technology fund, and the Board of Judicial Conduct as well as appropriations to expand and refresh the Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) and build a juvenile justice case management system. New legislation impacting the court system is described below. Constitutional Challenges to State Law Three-judge panels to hear cases challenging constitutionality of state actions. The General Assembly passed a law that creates a three-judge panel to hear a challenge regarding the constitutionality of a state statute, an executive order, or an administrative rule or regulation. This includes challenges to the constitutionality of a state statute that apportions or redistricts state legislative or congressional districts. The Supreme Court will select two trial court judges to sit with the judge to whom the case was originally assigned. There will be one judge from each of Tennessees three grand divisions and the Supreme Court will designate a chief judge for the case. On the panel, a majority vote rules. The venue for the case is the county where the plaintiff resides and is Sumner County if the plaintiff is not a Tennessee resident. The Supreme Court has issued preliminary rules on how the panels will operate, which are available here. Sponsored by Senator Mike Bell and Representative Andrew Farmer Interlocutory appeals in cases challenging constitutionality of state actions. A new statute allows the State Attorney General to immediately file an appeal regarding a court decision to enjoin a state law based on its constitutionality. This will accelerate the appeals process so laws are not left in limbo. Sponsored by Senator Brian Kelsey and Representative Michael Curcio New and Expanded Courts and Dockets Funding for the 32nd Judicial District. The states 32nd judicial district will be officially created on September 1, 2022 and will include Lewis, Perry, and Hickman counties. After that date, the 21st judicial district will include just Williamson County. This appropriation was to ensure proper funding for the 32nd judicial district. Sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley and Representative Michael Curcio Alternatives to Incarceration Act. The new law expands Tennessees successful Recovery Court System, which includes Veterans Courts, Mental Health Courts and Drug Courts, to those charged with misdemeanor assaults. Studies show these courts have an excellent track record for individuals who require specialized and highly accountable treatment. It also gives judges the discretion to provide treatment for individuals who need it when the facts of their case indicate that a recovery court is the best correction option available. This legislation is part of Governor Bill Lees criminal justice reform initiative. Sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson and Representation William Lamberth. Safe Baby Court Program. New Safe Baby Courts will be developed in both Maury and Sumner counties, bringing the states total number of courts focusing on the needs of children aged zero to three to 14. The states Safe Baby Courts are thriving, with new courts opening even during the pandemic, and have served hundreds of Tennessee families. This is a joint project with the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile General Sessions Judge for Johnson County. All 95 Tennessee counties have general sessions, or county, courts. Some general sessions judges are only part-time. This bill authorizes Johnson County to employ a full-time general sessions judge. Sponsored by Senator Jon Lundberg and Representative Scotty Campbell Data Collection Criminal justice data collection. The Tennessee Court Information System (TnCIS) will undergo and multi-million dollar refresh. This system tracks court data in 87 counties and can assist with policymaking related to courts, crime, and recidivism. In addition to the refresh, legislation requires the Administrative Office of Courts to provide each court clerk in eight counties which have not installed TnCIS with a list of data that is required to be integrated. Sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile and Representative David Hawk Reporting of juvenile data. A new appropriation included in the Administration Bill and approved by the Legislature will help fund the creation of a new juvenile case management and data collection system. This is part of an ongoing modernization and expansion of data collection and analysis for the courts, which will lead to data driven decision making. In addition, new legislation requires juvenile court staff to report information on new delinquent or unruly cases and their outcomes to the Administrative Office of the Courts. It establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to the Administrative Office of the Courts regarding children referred to services by the juvenile court system. Sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson and Representative William Lamberth Victims Rights Lifetime order of protection -Under this legislation, a victim of a felony offense of assault, criminal homicide, attempted homicide, kidnapping, or sexual offenses may file a petition for a lifetime order of protection against their convicted offender. Previously, victims had to go to court each year to renew their order of protection. Documents for the new lifetime order of protection are available here. News story available here. Sponsored by Senator Mike Bell and Representative William Lamberth Restitutions First.This legislation imposes a new allocation formula for money paid into court matters after January 1, 2022. The first money will be paid toward restitution of the victim; once restitution is paid, the next money will go toward litigation taxes; once those are paid, the money will go toward payment of costs; and finally, money will be allocated to payment of any fines. Sponsored by Senator John Stevens and Representative Clay Doggett Courthouse spaces for victims. In some courthouses, victims of crimes must wait for court proceedings in the same space as defendants, witnesses, and family members, which can lead to intimidation, anxiety, and stress. This legislation requires the District Attorneys General Conference (DAGC) to assess whether victims of crime have separate and secure waiting areas during all critical stages of the judicial process and to submit a report to the Chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee by March 1, 2022. The DAGC will also determine if grant funding is available for creating or improving such waiting areas and assist judicial districts in achieving such creation or improvement. Senator Ferrell Haile and Representative Michael Curcio Sentencing And Reentry Full Sentences For Certain Offenses. After July 1, 2021, a person convicted of certain crimes must serve their full sentence and cannot be released early for good behavior. Credit for good behavior can be used toward other privileges, but not for time served. Sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and House Speaker Cameron Sexton. Reentry Success Act.This key piece of legislation is part of Governor Bill Lees criminal justice reform package and aims to reduce recidivism rates by better preparing inmates for reentry. It includes mandatory supervision for all inmates reentrying the community. Also includes other modifications to the parole process, including when a judge may temporarily revoke and incarcerate a probationer for a technician violation. Sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson and Representative William Lamberth. Expungements Notification of possible expungement. Expungements assist Tennesseans with securing jobs, housing, and education and are an essential tool in the overall economic rebound. This law requires judges, at the time of sentencing, if practicable, to notify a person convicted of an offense eligible for an expunction of their eligibility to have all public records of the conviction destroyed. It requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide judges handling criminal matters with a document listing each offense eligible for expunction and the time period after which the offense is eligible. Expungement information is available here. Sponsored by Senator Brenda Gilmore and Representative G.A. Hardaway Search Warrants Establishing new policies regarding the use of force by law enforcement. While this bill primarily focuses on techniques and training used by law enforcement, it also prohibits judges from signing no-knock warrants. Sponsored by Senator Mike Bell and Representative Michael Curcio Custody Cases Written findings in custody cases.This legislation requires a court to include written findings of fact and conclusions of law to support a custody arrangement or parenting plan, unless both parents have agreed. Senator Mike Bell and Representative Mary Littleton Juvenile Cases Probable cause to detain a child in a secure facility. This legislation allows a child to be detained in a secure facility when there is probable cause to believe the child has committed certain offenses including burglary, aggravated burglary, robbery, or theft of a motor vehicle. It removes language that specifies that the juvenile court may order detention for a maximum of 48 hours for the delinquent child to be served only on days the school in which the child is enrolled is not in session. Sponsored by Senator Dawn White and Representative William Lamberth Board of Judicial Conduct Board of Judicial Conduct Sunset.The law extends the Board of Judicial Conduct to June 30, 2025, and requires the Board to appear before the government operations joint evaluation committee on judiciary and government no later than December 31, 2021, to provide the committee an update on board-related activities. Sponsored by Senator Kerry Roberts and Representative John Ragan Palace intrigue and scandals seem to come with the territory when youre a member of the British royal family; theyve certainly had their fair share over the past few decades. But thats not all that goes into being a royal. A major part of the job is the responsibility to engage in charitable endeavors. This isnt just a nice gesture by the royals, its considered their duty to visit with the organizations they support. (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Anne | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images A recent overview of the royal familys charitable activities yielded some rather surprising results. Lets take a closer look at how the different members of the royal family stacked up against each other, and who ranked as the most charitable family member. It may not be who you think it is. Charity is a major royal responsibility For as long as there has been a crown, visiting with United Kingdom citizens has been an expected part of the role. That goes for not just the ruling monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II), but also the other members of her family. Princes, princesses, dukes, and duchesses alike are all expected to give their time and money to charity on a regular basis. Express recently reviewed the charitable activity of the royal family, comparing and contrasting the number of royal patron visits each one had. Royal patron visits are when members of the royal family meet with members of a charity they support. According to The Sun, this is known as royal patronage. They found that Prince Charles had 48 royal patron visits. In the last year before he died, Prince Philip made only one royal patron visit understandable, since he was both retired and not in the best health. The queen made only six royal patron visits. She supports charities such as the Royal Philatelic Society and the Royal College of Nursing. The most charitable member of the royal family may surprise you While royal family members like the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince Harry get most of the publicity, none of them can compare to the most charitable royal. That title goes to Princess Anne. Anne is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth. Over the course of 2019-2020, she made 73 royal patron visits. These were to charities she has prioritized as being particularly important and worthy of the familys time and resources. Princess Anne also hosted video meetings during the pandemic with organizations such as the Royal National Childrens SpringBoard Foundation, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and Opportunity International UK. Anne may not get headlines like Harry and Megan or attract attention like William and Kate, but theres no doubt shes had quite an impact on the people of her nation. While all of the family participate in charitable endeavors, she stands above the rest. Who is the second most charitable member of the royal family? While he isnt quite at Annes level, next up on the list is none other than the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William. In the same time frame as Princess Anne, he managed to go to 58 events as a representative of the crown and a royal patron. While that isnt nearly as many as Anne, its still better than the other members of the family. One cause thats near and dear to his heart? United for Wildlife, an environmentally-friendly organization dedicated to helping animals. Its clear that while his heart is in the right place, William has a ways to go to catch up to his aunt. RELATED: Princess Diana Would Be Proud of Her Boys Despite Their Feud Claims Her Former Chef Outer Banks Season 2 will officially launch on July 30, 2021. Fans have waited months to see the next chapter in the Netflix teen drama after the first season dropped some major cliffhangers. Unfortunately, Netflix has revealed very little about what to expect from the coming season, so all fans can do is hope to receive answers to their burning questions. Here are the biggest plot points that Outer Banks Season 2 needs to address. [Spoiler alert: The following story contains spoilers for the Outer Banks Season 1 finale.] Outer Banks stars Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, and Chase Stokes | Courtesy of Netflix 1. What will happen to Ward and Rafe Cameron? In season 1, fans learned that Ward Cameron (played by Charles Esten) accidentally killed John B.s (Chase Stokes) father during an argument about the Royal Merchant gold. Rather than call in the accident, Ward covered it up by pushing Big John over the edge of his boat, which started a snowball effect of illegal decisions on Wards part. The closer John B. came to figuring out the truth about his father, the more Ward began to spiral. When John B. confronted Ward, who happened to be John B.s girlfriend Sarah Camerons (Madelyn Cline) father, Ward tried to kill him. The father of three ended up stabbing himself in the arm and blaming John B., causing local police to grow suspicious of the teen. Things only grew worse in the finale when Sarahs brother, Rafe Cameron (Drew Starkey), shot the Kildare County sheriff and pinned the crime on John B. This began a manhunt for John B., who escaped to the Bahamas with Sarah. In the final moments of John B.s escape, he told the police about Wards involvement in the mystery. The acting sheriff told Ward that he should stick around for a while, which seemed to hint that he would question Ward. Will the father go to prison for his crimes in Outer Banks Season 2? Will he cover for Rafe again, or will the teen also face punishment? 2. Will the Pogues learn that John B. and Sarah are alive? Work in progress pic.twitter.com/NY1kXgcOzw Jonathan Daviss (@JDaviss28) September 4, 2020 When John B. and Sarah disappeared into the harsh storm, everyone on the island assumed that the couple died in the water. John B. and Sarahs Pogue friends mourned the loss in the finales final scenes. However, fans know that a passing ship on its way to the Bahamas rescued the pair. In early June, Netflix released a teaser video that showed Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Kiara (Madison Bailey), and JJ (Rudy Pankow) building a memorial for their John B. and Sarah. Additionally, production stills showed Sarahs family dressed in black, presumably at a funeral. So, it looks like Outer Banks Season 2 will at least start out with the Pogues thinking their friends are dead. It doesnt seem like John B. and Sarah to leave their friends in the dark for long. Will they contact the Pogues to let them know once theyre safe in the Bahamas? Kiara, JJ, and Pope have already proven to be helpful in season 1; will they somehow continue to assist John B. and Sarah from afar? 3. Will John B. and Sarah find the gold? Perhaps the biggest question for Outer Banks Season 2 is, will Sarah and John B. find the treasure after all? Ward stole the gold and sent it on his private plane to Nassau in the Bahamas, but unbeknownst to him, thats exactly where John B. and Sarahs rescuers were headed. This may have given the couple enough advantage to find the gold and steal it back. Of course, theres one problem: thats a lot of gold, and John B. and Sarah are only two people. If they do find it, how will they safely get it back to the Outer Banks? Will the couple ever return home? For now, fans can see in the teaser that Sarah and John B. are still on the run, which will surely make for some major suspense in season 2. RELATED: Netflix: Outer Banks Season 2 Fan Predictions Ree Drummond became famous through her blog, The Pioneer Woman. In 2011, her digital platform resulted in Drummonds show on Food Network. Soon, she joined the ranks of other chefs she admired during her career. One of those stars was The Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. In May 2021, The Pioneer Woman shared one of her favorite recipes from Gartens cookbook. (L-R): Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman and Ina Garten of The Barefoot Contessa | Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Noam Galai/WireImage RELATED: The Pioneer Woman: Inside Ree Drummonds Daughters $50,000 Honeymoon Before her show, Drummond shared her recipes on The Pioneer Woman blog. What started as a way for her to connect with other people who lived on ranches turned into the influencers full-time job. Soon, Food Network called and allowed Drummond to film a television show from her hometown of Oklahoma. Her fans have fallen in love with her family throughout the years, which includes her husband Ladd Drummond and their five children. In May 2021, The Pioneer Woman shared one of her favorite Independence Day treats. The blog post paid homage to Garten and her Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. Drummond explained to her readers that shes loved Garten for years and often follows her recipes. Additionally, she declared the Barefoot Contessas Fourth of July Flag Cake is hard to beat. Its such a great, rich cake, and Ive made it for many Fourth of July parties over the years, Drummond shared. Throughout her post about Gartens flag cake, Drummond further explains why she admires the Barefoot Contessas recipes. According to The Pioneer Woman, her predecessor creates dishes that are real, simple, and abundant. RELATED: The Pioneer Woman: Ree Drummond Says This Is the Perfect Recipe Drummond recommends a few cast of characters for the cakes base for those interested in recreating Gartens flag cake. According to her website, these ingredients include Unsalted Butter, Sugar, Eggs, Sour Cream, Vanilla, Flour, Cornstarch, Kosher Salt, Baking Soda, Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Raspberries, and Blueberries. Lots of ingredients, but nothing too crazy, Drummond declares. In her post, Drummond says the flag cake should take a total of one hour and 30 minutes to bake. Additionally, the cake should serve roughly 36 people, which makes it perfect for a cookout. Ree Drummond claims that her producer wanted her to be like Ina Garten When Drummond started working on The Pioneer Woman with Food Network, she and Garten became co-workers. In addition to sharing a network, the hosts also have the same production team. During Drummonds memoir, she claims that the group initially expected her to behave like the Barefoot Contessa. However, they soon realized that she would bring a completely different vibe to her platform. She even says that her producer, Rachel, wanted to follow her grocery shopping like Garten. RELATED: Barefoot Contessa: Ina Gartens Entertaining Pet Peeve Is a Party Killer She was surely picturing Ina, hand-woven wicker basket on her arm, strolling around a local Hamptons grocery shop for bundles of watercress and fresh-baked brioche, Drummond wrote. Id tell Rachel that sure; she was welcome to come to the store with meits called Pawhuska Hometown Foods, and the baskets are made of red plastic and say Best Val-U on them in scratched-up white letters. The floors are linoleum, and the bakery is brought to you by Sara Lee. Theres a whole aisle of Velveeta. But yes, youre more than welcome to film it! The Pioneer Woman and Barefoot Contessa air on Food Network. Few rappers have had the meteoric rise that Rick Ross had over the last 15 years. The rapper and entrepreneur has made his stage persona a lucrative business that blurs the line between performance art and candid lyricism. Rick Ross | Johnny Nunez/Getty Images It should come as no surprise, then, that Rick Ross is a stage name crafted by an ex-prison guard who wanted to create a character for the ages. What is Rick Ross real name? According to Biography, Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts lI. He led a relatively average life in Carol City, Florida, after his family moved from Mississippi. Roberts grew up idolizing Tupac, Biggie, and other A-list rappers as he tried to forge his own path to greatness. By the time he was in college, he was closer to becoming a professional athlete than he was a rapper, but he started writing lyrics about the drug dealers he idolized growing up in his downtime. Roberts had heard stories about a drug trafficker named Freeway Rick Ross while working as a corrections officer from some of the inmates. This became the perfect name for the rap persona he was forming in his notebooks. By 2003, he released his first single, and Rick Ross was born. However, those who didnt know his story did not get the full thing. Rick Ross Ross may be a character, but dont tell him that his stories are made up. He spoke with XXL after coming clean about his past. While it took several years for Ross to open up about the fictional persona, he still claims that the sentiments are real. Ross told XX, per MTV: The stuff I talk about is real. The dope is real the gun talk is official. Look up Kenneth Boobie Williams. Look where hes from. Thats not nothing to be proud of. I wish that on no man. But, just to let you know, thats what I witnessed. Its a reality. I cannot discuss certain people thats still in the streets, and I will not. I took a street oath, and Imma live by that, and Imma die by that. And its not about a music career, cause that sh, Im good. Its about me and being in the streets. The story, persona, or semi-autobiographical account of his past took off. From his first hit Hustling to a lifetime of success, Ross is now the character people know and love. However, MTV notes how his clouded past has drawn the ire of hip-hop rivals like 50 Cent. However, what Rosss story actually shows is the way that performers differentiate themselves from the art. This came full circle when the real Rick Ross sued the rapper for stealing his story for capital gain. Rick Ross is born As Billboard notes, rappers choosing stage names is nothing new. While Calvin Broaduss Snoop Dogg is in line with the rappers everyday life, others see their stage names as characters. Nicki Minaj is a fictional creation who sheds light on real problems. Eminem, Marshall Mathers, and Slim Shady can all be differentiated, depending on the song. Ross, however, blurred that line by adopting a persona that existed and claiming it as his own until the truth came to light. When the real Ross sued the rapper, many believed that the man who took the fictional Ross name was crossing lines creatively and personally. However, in the eyes of the law, it was a work of fiction that the real Ross had no claim to. As The Guardian notes, however, the judge saw it differently. Roberts created a celebrity identity, Judge Borens statement continued. He was not simply an impostor seeking to profit solely off the name and reputation of Rick Ross. Rather, he made music out of fictional tales of dealing drugs and other exploits some of which related to plaintiff. While the real Rick Ross might have issues with this, the character created something that people loved. Right or wrong, Ross is still one of the biggest names in hip hop 18 years after his breakout single. Whether this ever comes back to haunt him remains to be seen, but Rosss story is an extreme one that goes back as far as art itself does. RELATED: MC Hammer Officiated These Celebrities Weddings In this June 6 photo, Pope Francis speaks from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peters Square at the Vatican to a crowd of faithful and pilgrims gathered for the Sunday Angelus noon prayer. On June 30, Canadas Catholic bishops said Pope Francis has agreed to meet in December with Indigenous survivors of the countrys notorious residential schools amid calls for a papal apology for Catholic Churchs role in the abuse and deaths of thousands of Native children. At Sunday services this weekend, churches across the country will direct congregants to flip to the section of classic patriotic songs in their hymnals or display lyrics to more recent nation-centric tunes like Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA, Chris Tomlins America, or even Make America Great Again, a song composed at First Baptist Church of Dallas using President Trumps famous slogan. Despite ongoing concerns over conflating worship of God with worship of country, the majority of churches in the United States mark the Fourth of July in songa tradition that in some places goes back to the years surrounding Americas first Independence Day. LifeWay Research found that two-thirds of US churches include America-themed music in worship services around the holiday. The top patriotic songs sung in churches, ranked by Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), span contemporary contributions and American classics: 1. America the Beautiful Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the Fourth of July edition of the weekly church publication The Congregationalist in 1895. 2. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (Battle Hymn of the Republic) Julia Ward Howe The abolitionists famous tune almost became Americas national anthem. Despite the theological references throughout, its now seen as more of a mishmash of Christian doctrine. 3. My Country Tis of Thee (America) Samuel Francis Smith The fourth verse in the Boston Baptists famous song goes, Our fathers' God to Thee, author of liberty, to Thee we sing / Long may our land be bright, with freedom's holy light, protect us by Thy might / Great God our King. 4. Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith Written in 1814, it was a popular patriotic song for over a century before becoming the national anthem in 1931. 5. God Bless the USA Lee Greenwood The 1984 country hit became a popular expression of American pride during President Ronald Reagans campaign, the Gulf War, and later, following September 11. One Christian cover of the song changes the lyrics I thank my lucky stars to I thank my God above. 6. God Bless America Again Billy McVay The 70s country tune was popularized by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. 7. May God Bless America Weldon C. Kennedy The 2005 song appears alongside more classic patriotic tunes in Fourth of July medleys. 8. God Of Our Fathers (National Hymn) Daniel Crane Roberts and George William Warren The hymn was written in honor of the centennial Independence Day celebration in 1876. 9. A Patriotic Salute Linda Spevacek In military parade and marching band style, the composition includes lines from tunes like When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again. 10. America Chris Tomlin Based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, the 2001 song begins, Let your glory fly, if my people will humbly pray / Turn from sin and their wicked ways / I will hear them and heal their land / And show my glory and power again. Because CCLI only collects data on song usage every six months, its too early to tell how many congregations outside of Robert Jeffresss have sung Make America Great Again in worship. Its lyrics are more patriotic than pietistic: Americans from evry corner of this blessed land / Come together with one voice, help us take a stand/ Following the vision to make her proud and grand / And make America great again, make America great again. Article continues below The presidential faith adviser and Southern Baptist pastor held a Freedom Sunday service at FBC Dallas on June 25, complete with a message from Vice President Mike Pence on behalf of the White House. Its unusual for patriotic worship songs to explicitly reference a political administration or campaign, but since Americas founding, there have been songs about Gods favor and providence shown to the country. Ministers started preaching that God was, in fact, winning the Revolution for the Patriots, said Stephen A. Marini, religion department chair and professor of religion in America and ethics at Wellesley College. You get it in the sermons of the day and in the hymns as well. In 1778, Boston-born composer William Billings republished an earlier tune with lyrics to reference the British invaders: Let tyrants shake their iron rods / And slavery clank her galling chains / We see them not; we trust in God / New Englands God forever reigns. Such hymns crediting God with Americans victory in the Revolutionary War were indeed most common in New England, where they began to turn up right after independence. In other regions, their popularity varied by church tradition. Another example of an early American patriotic tune actually came from the British hymn writer Isaac Watts (known for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed, Joy to the World, and more). He wrote a number of versions of the psalms in which Israel was conquering its enemies, and he substituted Britain for Israel, said Marini, author of Sacred Song in America: Religion and Public Culture. What the Americans did was change Britain to America. So now you had a revised Watts hymn or metrical psalm that was claiming America's victory as God's chosen people. Though popular, the patriotic hymns were more often sung outside of typical Sunday services. These new hymns were not published in denominational hymnals; these were published in tune books that were used for congregations sometimes but were most often used in homes and private prayer groups, Marini said. Some of the more familiar and lasting patriotic songs came decades later. America (My Country Tis of Thee) debuted at Park Street Church in Boston on Independence Day in 1831, then began to make a strong showing in hymnals later in the century, following the Civil War. Around that time, northern churches also began singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic, then later, America the Beautiful. That trio makes up three of the five most common patriotic songs appearing in denominational hymnals over time, with America the most popular by far, according to a Hymnary.org analysis by historian Chris Gehrz. The list includes: In the 20th century, many evangelicalsand eventually the Religious Rightincorporated a stronger sense of nationalism in worship, with some congregations bringing in the US flag alongside the Christian flag and preaching more politically themed sermons, Marini noted. Article continues below Evangelical leaders have since voiced concerned about the ways churches present civic symbols and values in worship, right down to the patriotic lyrics themselves. Theologian Richard Mouw issued this warning in Reformed Worship back in 1990: Patriotic songs also contain many dangerous teachings. Take, for example, the eschatological verse of America the Beautiful. Themes that in the book of Revelation are used to describe the Holy City are here applied to the United States: alabaster cities, undimmed by human tears, the shining sea. As if the United States will become the promised New Jerusalem! And yet Reformed Christianseven the kind who sometimes boast of their commitment to sound theologyoften sing these words without a thought to the heresies they are mouthing. We must be very diligent in warning the people of God against applying the themes of Zion to the nations in whose midst we are called to serve our only true and righteous Sovereign. More recently, John Piper shared a similar caution over the place of patriotism in worship services, specifically advising Christians to emphasize gratitude for Gods mercy. Whenever Christians pay tribute to earthly blessings like American freedoms, he said, words and songs should have no triumphalist or assertive tone, especially not for any military expression, but, rather, should have a feel of humility and lowliness and dependence and thankfulness along with a suitable call to repentance and need for ongoing mercy. Most Americansespecially evangelicalscontinue to believe, as many of the songs imply, that America has a special relationship with God. While a majority of Protestant pastors (61%) believe its important to celebrate the country around July 4, they also recognize the tensions at hand. A 2016 LifeWay survey found that a little over half say their congregation sometimes seems to love America more than God. Canadian Pastor Tim Stephens released from jail: 'I'm thankful for God' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Canadian pastor who was arrested for holding an outdoor worship service after authorities ordered his church building to be closed has been released from jail and expressed gratitude to God for sustaining his congregation. Tim Stephens, who serves as pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary, Alberta, spent the weekend with his family and church about two weeks after he was arrested, Rebel News reported. He was arrested on June 14 after refusing to abide by the order from Alberta Health Services to refrain from holding worship services that didnt comply with the provincial COVID-19 restrictions at the time. Police in a helicopter discovered where Stephens was holding worship gatherings and arrested him soon thereafter from his home, as his children witnessed the arrest and cried. Today is a very thankful day, Rebel News quoted the pastor as saying. Im thankful that the restrictions are done and rescinded, including the court orders that go along with that. [M]ost of all, Im thankful for God, he added. Im thankful that Hes built His church, that Hes sustained our church at Fairview Baptist Church. Im thankful that He strengthened me, my wife, and our family, and that, through this, people have come to know the saving love of the Lord Jesus Christ. People have been strengthened in this country and around the world, and so, for these many reasons, Im thankful. On June 5, Stephens had tweeted pictures of notices that were posted on the doors of his church proclaiming that Alberta Health Services Has Ordered This Premises Closed to the Public and Alberta Health Services has secured this building as per section 62.1 of the Public Health Act. Stephens attempted to make the best of the situation by vowing that Fines, injunctions, imprisonment, and seizure of property will only demonstrate the folly of their actions and bring glory to Christ. During his confinement, Stephens wrote a letter to his children asserting that I have been arrested because I am convinced by the Word of God, reason, and science, that we must gather as a church and live our lives with freedom in Christ. Stephens is not the only Canadian pastor to face legal consequences for holding in-person worship services. The pastor of a church in Aylmer, Ontario, faced nearly $200,000 in fines for holding outdoor worship services after the local government shut down his church building. Artur Pawlowski, another pastor based in Calgary, has had multiple encounters with law enforcement over ongoing coronavirus worship restrictions. Pawlowski has angrily confronted local police and public health officials who showed up at his church in two viral videos and was eventually arrested for holding an illegal in-person gathering. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri recently urged the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to consider placing Canada on its Watch List due to its continued lockdown restrictions, arrests of Christian pastors and seizure of church property. I am troubled that our Canadian neighbors are effectively being forced to gather in secret, undisclosed locations to exercise their basic freedom to worship, Hawley said in his letter to the USCIRF. Frankly, I would expect this sort of religious crackdown in Communist China, not in a prominent Western nation like Canada. Canadian authorities arrest of faith leaders and seizure of church property, among other enforcement actions, appear to constitute systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. Presbyterian Church in America takes first vote on banning ordination of openly gay men Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Presbyterian Church in America has voted to change a rule in its governing document that would disqualify all gay men from serving in its ministry. The resolution to change the rule, Overture 23, was passed 1,400-400 at the denominations 48th annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri, last week. Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to, gay Christian, same-sex attracted Christian, homosexual Christian, or like terms) that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same-sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions are not qualified for ordained office, the amended rule states. The amended rule will go to local church bodies for a vote before the second round of convention balloting next year following which the language would be placed in the PCAs Book of Church Order. The Washington Times quoted Chris Norris of the Calvary Presbytery as saying during the debate: Sanctification begins with ones identity as a new creation in Christ. Taking a gay identity flies in the face of the new creation. The denomination also affirmed Overture 37, which refers to pastoral candidates. Careful reflection must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires, it states. The candidate must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin. While imperfection will remain, he should not be known by reputation or self-profession according to his remaining sinfulness (e.g., homosexual desires, etc.), but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus, it adds. During the annual convention, the PCA also endorsed Lifeline Childrens Services as its preferred adoption and orphan care ministry due to its commitment to the sanctity of life and not Bethany Christian Services, which recently announced it would be offering its services to LGBT couples. The endorsement of Lifeline came three months after the Michigan-based group Bethany, which is the nations largest Protestant adoption and foster agency, announced it would begin placing children with adults who identify as LGBT. In a statement to The Christian Post at the time, Nathan Bult, senior vice president of the historically evangelical organization, said that faith in Jesus is at the core of their mission, but they were not claiming a position on the various doctrinal issues about which Christians may disagree. This week in Christian history: Bishop calls for end of Hindu caste system; Puritan leader sails for America Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown by most people. The following pages highlight events that happened this week in Christian history. They include a Puritan preacher setting sail for America, an Anglican bishop calling for the end of the Hindu caste system in India, and the death of an archbishop crucial to the creation of the Magna Carta. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I am often asked whether I would identify the United States as a Christian nation. I suspect that was the underlying concern when a friend, a 95-year-old World War II veteran, asked if I thought our church should place an American flag along with the Christian flag in our sanctuary. (He wears an American flag in his lapel; I have one on my license plate.) I answered his question with stories from teaching law in Vietnam and China. A Story from Vietnam In preparation for teaching a course on Religion and Law in the US in Vietnam, I asked a Christian friend who lives in Vietnam what Vietnamese people think of Christianity. He responded: They see Jesus as Americas Ho Chi Minh. You may recall that Ho Chi Minh was the Communist military leader and poet who defeated the existing Vietnamese governments and drove out the French and Americans in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. In Vietnam he is seen as the father of the country. My friend added: This makes it very hard to share the Gospel. SoJesus is Americas Ho Chi Minh. I was horrified: No! Jesus came to save the whole world! He is not an American God nor an American military or political leader. Yet you can see how this mindset is established and reinforced by talk of Christian America and American church displays of American flags. Identifying America as a Christian country makes it hard to spread the Gospel in predominantly Buddhist, Communist, Muslim, and Hindu countries. Missionaries are seen as an alien force. Christian converts are seen as traitors. More importantly, identifying Christianity with a particular country is inconsistent with Scripture. Christianity is not a nationalist religion. From the earliest days of the church, Christianity has been a multi-ethnic, multi-national religion. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal. 3:8) [nor American nor Vietnamese]. Talk of Christian America encourages people to make Christ responsible for what the United States government does. Some of those decisions are wise and some are foolish, but Christ gets stuck with all of them. If Christianity is closely identified with the United States, its reputation will rise or fall with the successes and failures of our government instead of the claims of the Gospel. Some people will oppose (or even hate) Christ because of their disagreement with positions of the United States. Christians should not have to defend or apologize for American policies that are not Christian at all. We can see the dangers of identifying Christianity with a country if we compare the United States with European countries that officially identify their country with the Christian faithsometimes in their national constitutions. In European Christian countries, churches often are empty. Christianity has been attractive in the United States, in part because it has not generally been identified with the government. A Story from China A few years thereafter, when I was teaching the course on religion and law in the US at a mainland Chinese law school, we read the Ten Commandments and some of the additional moral teaching in the Bible. A student raised her hand and said she did not think Christians really believe these things. She watched American television and found that Christians did not obey these moral teachings, and that, in fact, they behave much worse than Chinese people. I did not know where to begin in my response. There were almost as many false assumptions as words in her comment. She assumed, like many of the people around the world, that the United States is a Christian country and therefore that all Americans are Christians. In this view, Christ is responsible, not only for the actions of the American government as in my first story, but also for the moral behavior of all Americans (and all American TV characters!). The lives of Christians should draw people to Christ. When we encourage the belief that all Americans are Christians, we push them away from Christ. Just as I cringe when I hear reports that a Christian pastor or leader or movie star has flaunted Christian morality, I cringe when I hear the United States referred to as a Christian nation. Our abortion, murder, divorce, child abuse, and spousal abuse rates make it clear that we are anything but a Christian nation. Heres an even more sobering concern: The Third Commandment prohibits using the Lords name in vain. That includes using the Lords name as a curse word, but it is much more. It prohibits using the Lords name in a trivial, meaningless, or insincere manner. When we publicly identify our country (or our churches or ourselves) as Christian and miserably fail to live up to Christian standards, we take the Lords name in vain. Indeed, I think it is more damaging to the name of Christ to associate it with a country, a business, a university, or a person that falls far short of the Lords standards than to use it as a curse. Christian Faith and Our Nation In my course, I trace some areas where American law reflects Christian foundations: Creation and the Declaration of Independence (all men are created equal, . . . endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights); the Fall and the Constitutions separation of powers (as Federalist 51 notes, since humans are not angels you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself); human responsibility and the First Amendment (Christ, not the state, is the Lord of the Conscience), and the anti-slavery, civil rights, and pro-life movements. Of course, enacting such laws in a democracy requires partnerships with people of other faiths and of no faith, and American law and society has often failed to live up to Christian ideals. Lincoln referred to Americans as Gods almost chosen people. Even so, Christian insights have been a foundation of many of Americas most worthwhile laws. So what should be the relationship between a Christian citizen in the United States and our nation? Our situation does not fit neatly into any biblical model. We dont have the special role that Israel was called to fill, yet we are called to do all we do to the glory of God. In a democracy, citizens are neither rulers nor subjects, but we have some qualities of each. We are neither on the throne nor in the catacombs. We have influence, but limited influence. I hope that as Christians, we will bring our values and our ideas to the public square. We should assess every aspect of our lives through a Christian lens to see if the Christian faith speaks to it. God created us in his image and called us to be stewards of his world. He called on the children of Israel to seek justice (Is. 1:17). He called on the captives in Babylon to seek the peace of the city where he had placed them (Jer. 29: 7). I hope American Christians will seek to care for our world, will seek justice, and will seek the peace of the city in which he has placed us. We should seek to persuade our neighbors and listen carefully to them and their concerns. Christians should speak prophetically to the nation on behalf of the least of these, the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, the Samaritan, and the unborn, but this ability is compromised when we label our country Christian. To do so alienates non-Christians and suggests that Christ is responsible for the errors we, our country, and our fellow citizens will invariably make. Our country will always err and Christ should not bear responsibility for those errors. Iranian authorities deny early release for Christian convert imprisoned for reading the Bible Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Iranian convert to Christianity who has served over one-third of a 10-year prison sentence for reading the Bible and allegedly taking part in missionary activities was told that his plea for early release has been denied. The Tehran prosecutors office informed Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh through a handwritten letter last month that his request for release wasnt approved, Article 18 reported, adding that no explanation was given to the convert. Nasser, who will turn 60 in August, had been assured several times by prison authorities in recent months that his request would be accepted. He is eligible for parole as he has served over one-third of his sentence for actions against national security because of his membership in a Tehran house church. The convert was hoping to be reunited with his elderly mother, for whom he was the primary caregiver before he was arrested on June 24, 2016, while he was attending a Christian gathering. After a few months of interrogation by government officials, Nasser was convicted in May 2017 on charges of acting against national security through the formation and establishment of an illegal church organization in his home, according to the Jubilee Campaign. He has been in the notorious Evin Prison since January 2018 and had appealed his detainment and conviction, which was rejected. Nasser has written open letters to the Iranian authorities, questioning his conviction. Would it even be possible for a committed Christian who was born and raised in Iran and whose forefathers lived in this land for thousands of years, and who is a servant to the God who has called him to a ministry of reconciliation to act against the national security of his own country? he wrote in August 2018, according to World Watch Monitor. As the charges against me in my indictment states: Action against national security through establishment of house churches, is the fellowship of a few Christian brothers and sisters in someones home, singing worship songs, reading the Bible and worshiping God acting against national security? he continued. Isnt it a clear violation of civil and human rights, and an absolute injustice, to receive [a] 10-year prison sentence just for organizing house churches, which is a sanctuary sanctified as a place to praise and worship God due to closure of churches in Iran? The Iranian government uses Articles 489, 499 and 500 of the countrys Penal Code to prosecute Christians for their peaceful religious activities. The country has consistently been labeled by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for egregious violations of religious freedom. Christians in Iran witnessed an unprecedented wave of raids on house churches toward the end of 2018, when more than 100 Christians were arrested, according to Article 18. Most of them were released after a few hours after they wrote down details of their Christian activities and were ordered to have no more contact with other Christians. Last January, a 21-year-old Iranian Christian convert, Fatemeh Mohammadi, who prefers to go by the name Mary since her spiritual conversion, was arrested during an anti-government protest in Tehran. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that Mary was detained near Azadi Square in Tehran, where protests occurred after the Iranian military shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane and killed 176 people. She published a series of tweets on the day she was arrested, saying that the Iranian people faced soft repression in Iran as the regime creates false beliefs through selective coverage of the news. India: Christians celebrate first Indian Christian Day, feast of St. Thomas Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As it was Apostle Thomas who brought the Gospel to India and was martyred near the southern city of Chennai in 72 AD, Christians from all major denominations in the country celebrated July 3, the day he was killed, as the first Indian Christian Day amid rising persecution which is premised on the propaganda that Christianity is a foreign religion. In India, July 3 was thus far observed as Saint Thomas Day to celebrate Saint Thomas who came to India in 52 AD with the message of Jesus. From this year onwards, it will also be celebrated as Indian Christian Day, according to Asia News. Its a grassroots initiative, it is non-political and seeks no political patronage, Fr. Cedric Prakash, a Gujarat-based priest and social activist, wrote in a letter addressed to all churches in the country prior to the days observance, The Quint reported. In recent years, there has been increased misinformation about the historicity of the message of Jesus in India; besides from certain quarters there are efforts to discredit the Christians with falsehoods and half-truths, Prakash added. By marking it in 2021 and every year henceforth, we, as followers of the Lord Jesus, can preserve our identity within Indias cultural heritage, while uniting with all those who wish to celebrate it, irrespective of language, custom, creed, region or religion, the promoters of the event said. Christians are estimated to make up about 2.3% of Indias population. Attacks on Christians have been on the rise since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won the 2014 national elections. Since the current ruling party (Bharatiya Janata Party) took power in 2014, incidents against Christians have increased, and Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences, noted Open Doors World Watch List last year, which ranked India as the 10th worst country for Christians. The view of the Hindu nationalists is that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so any other faith including Christianity is viewed as non-Indian. Also, converts to Christianity from Hindu backgrounds or tribal religions are often extremely persecuted by their family members and communities, Open Doors said at the time. Several Indian states have anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christian workers force or give financial benefits to Hindus to convert them to Christianity. While these laws have been in place for decades in some states, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion. Some of these laws state that no one is allowed to use the threat of divine displeasure, meaning Christians cannot talk about Heaven or Hell, as that would be seen as forcing someone to convert. And if snacks or meals are served to Hindus after an evangelistic meeting, that could be seen as inducement. A recent report from Human Rights Watch warned that "prejudices embedded in the government" of the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have infiltrated independent institutions, such as the police and the courts, empowering nationalist groups to threaten, harass and attack religious minorities with impunity. Presbyterian group's new ethnic arm gives grants to serve minority families Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Presbyterian Church in America is known for its devotion to theology, but its Ethnos Coalition is applying that understanding to help people of color hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group of leaders of the ethnically based ministries of PCAs outreach arm, the Mission to North America, started its EC Relief Initiative as the virus first began taking its toll this spring. As of Novembers first weekend, the coalition just four months old when it launched the effort had raised $109,000 to distribute to those in need. The Ethnos Relief grant allowed us to help with back rent for a hard-working Hispanic family we have been getting to know through our Bible Club at a local after-school program, reported Astoria Church in New York state. The fathers job in the restaurant industry ended shortly after the stay-at-home order went into effect in mid-March. These funds enabled the family to rebuild trust with their landlord. Our bilingual pastor has been able to forge a relationship with the family. Under the initiative, deacons at churches with people desiring assistance apply to Ethnos Coalition for a grant of up to $7,000. Once their application is approved, the coalition sends funds directly to those deacons to distribute. Our church has not had as many fundamental needs as some others from the pandemic, so our deacons were thrilled to send a good-sized check to support the Ethnos fund, the Rev. Chris Sicks, senior pastor of Alexandria (Virginia) Presbyterian Church, told The Christian Post. They had great confidence because the money went from our deacons to deacons at other PCA churches. Its not like giving to the Red Cross. Its giving from deacons to deacons through deacons. As of Oct. 1, PCA churches and church-sponsored relief groups in 13 states had received grants averaging $5,200, with the timing of the donations and grants working providentially thus far. It is the grace of liberality, Ethnos Coalition Chairman Hernando Saenz told CP. God is very generous, and His people respond to His grace by giving generously of themselves and their wealth. The initiative is modeled after Pauls instructions to the church at Corinth as he raised funds for needy brethren in the congregation in Macedonia. I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack that there may be equality, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:13-14. The PCA has over 1,700 churches with approximately 335,000 members in the United States and Canada. As the second-largest Reformed denomination in the U.S., its most widely known leaders have been the late Revs. R.C. Sproul and D. James Kennedy. This evangelical body holds to the inerrancy of Scripture, predestination in salvation, the baptism of infants, and representative government. A session made up of elders (presbyters) elected by the congregation governs the local church. Pastors and local church representatives combine with others in their region to form a presbytery, and all the presbyteries meet in an annual General Assembly. The Ethnos Coalition Relief Initiative is not meant to be only a stop-gap measure. Guidelines state a church may apply for funds every three months, and grant money goes only to help those with previous net annual incomes of $35,000 or less or $48,000 for households larger than four. Coalition officials hope to eventually raise $700,000. One woman opened up about the need for more accessible mental healthcare, having recently experienced the loss of her son due to suicide, stated Hope for the Inner City of East Chattanooga, Tennessee. Another dear lady is trying to reenter the workforce after a long bout of depression due to her mothers death and the loss of her job. Your funds have encouraged her that she does not have to shoulder these burdens alone. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A couple of years ago, I had a speaking engagement in Philadelphia and made a point of slipping downtown to Independence Hall to reflect on the founding of our nation. Its an amazing experience. I highly recommend it. As I moved around the historical sites of that city, I saw the Word of God everywhere. Its etched on buildings and even on the Liberty Bell itself, which says, Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof (Leviticus 25:10). Scriptures are forever written into the history, heart, and fabric of America. You see, the early Americans were patriots, but they were also believers. Those who settled this nation came here to advance the Christian faith and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. God is looking for people like you and me who will so connect with Him in prayer that He can unleash His power through us. It is a power to overcome any trial, any difficulty and any challenge our nation is experiencing. Its a power that can change our nation and our world. We should be in prayer for those appointed to lead the government: that they have the wisdom and knowledge necessary to carry out their responsibilities. With our ultimate goal of sharing the Gospel, we should pray that these leaders would lead in such a way that our mission becomes easier with fewer barriers, and our ability to spread the Word becomes greater. Our local and national leaders have been placed in their positions for a reason, and we must pray that God would use them for His kingdom purposes regardless of how we personally feel about them. This Independence Day, let us kneel before God with a burden for our country and a prayer in our hearts that He would save America and that we would live again in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Americans, we have a beautiful history and a wonderful heritage. But the question is: Do we have a future? What is the future of our great country? The great Francis Schaeffer once said: One day we will wake up and find an America far different than the one that we had known. When we sing God Bless America, my prayer is that it would be more than a song and more than just a slogan for political purposes. My prayer is that it would be a cry of our heart, that God would bless America today! And while all blessings are from the good hand of GodHis grace, His favor there are conditions for the blessings of God. Are we as a country in a condition to receive the blessings that God desires to give? I dont believe so. But remember our nation was born in 1776 in a revolution. Let us pray that God would give us a spiritual revolution in our generation that America may live again. When God sends this spiritual revolution, he wont need armies of people. Its true. It only takes one person answering Gods call to start a national revival! Will you be that person? He may be knocking at the heart of your door even now. Say yes to his call! Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment National holidays can mean different things to different people. Like the days themselves, not all personal holiday experiences are created equal. Some treat holidays like any other day. Others seem almost to revere their very existence. Still others find themselves hindered from enjoying a particular holiday because of previous traumatic experiences (personal or otherwise) associated with that day. In the case of Independence Day, there are some to whom this holiday has inspired mourning rather than mirth. One historic example is that of abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass. His 1852 speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? is an excellent example of oratory, well worth reading. Douglasss speech is an important part of our national heritagebut not because Independence Day isnt worth celebrating (as some are wont to say). In fact, those prone to condemn every aspect of American history, as if there was little to nothing noble about our nations beginnings, would do well to read Douglasss speech, in which he says: Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, toogreat enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great menWith them, nothing was settled that was not right. With them, justice, liberty and humanity were final; not slavery and oppression. You may well cherish the memory of such men. They were great in their day and generation. Their solid manhood stands out the more as we contrast it with these degenerate times [T]he Constitution is a glorious liberty document[T]ake the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery. The 4th of July is worth celebrating, to be sure. But that is not all it is good for. Special occasions can be opportunities for looking backward (to see how far we have come) and looking forward (to see how far we have yet to go). Just as there are those prone only to look forward (as if there is nothing to appreciate about our countrys past), so there are those prone only to look backward. In other words, there are those tempted to idolize every aspect of Americas past, as if there was little to nothing contemptible about our nations legacy. Such people would also do well to read Douglasss speech, in which he says the following: I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival. Douglasss speech is a paradoxical and precarious balancing act. Unlike many of the orators of our day, who are prone to simplistic, hyper-partisan posturing, Douglass understood an important reality: like humanity itself, Americas history is filled with decency and depravity, nobility and noxiousness, heroism and heinousness. Pretending otherwise does a disservice to reality. It fails to honor the justice our country has championed and fails to acknowledge the injustices it has ignored. On the Fourth of July, it is right and good to celebrate where weve come from. At the same time, based on what I have heard and read from brothers and sisters in Christ who testify to an undercurrent of prejudice still operating in our land, the Fourth of July is also an appropriate time to mourn over how far we have to go. That some might celebrate while others lament is not, in and of itself, a sign that either is wrong. Regardless of ones personal thoughts or feelings toward the Fourth of July, may our words and actions echo these famous sentiments shared by Abraham Lincoln during his second inaugural address: With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in. Roger Ailes, the founding chairman of the Fox News Channel, had a maxim that doubled as a practical guidance - or commandment - for how the network's talent should treat each other in public: No "shooting in the tent." It was a way to keep a train powered by highly charged alpha personalities on the tracks, and it prioritized internal conflict resolution over public spats that could turn into the kind of "controversies" most cable news networks want to avoid. MORE CULTURE: Real fireworks, virtual crowds in store for 'Freedom Over Texas' Mark Levin, a star of conservative talk radio who joined Fox in November 2017, has taken a markedly different tact. The host of a weekly show, Levin singularly lobs insults at his colleagues - mostly Fox's news reporters and anchors, but also recently a fellow opinion host - in a manner that has created negative headlines and headaches in the process. "It definitely goes against one of the core Fox philosophies," said a Fox News veteran who requested anonymity to speak candidly. Levin's willingness to dump on his own colleagues has burnished his reputation as a sort of rogue independent who balks at the governing rules of the corporate media ecosystem - and a wild card who could end up playing a big role in the future of the conservative movement. "You see, this isn't a game to me," Levin said on his radio show last Thursday. "I'm not positioning myself. This is deadly serious. The real world matters here." Levin was explaining his willingness to indirectly criticize his colleague Fox host Tucker Carlson after New York Times media columnist Ben Smith revealed that Carlson has been a key source for journalists who write about his company and about the Trump administration. That didn't sit well with Levin, who prides himself on rebuffing media reporters who approach him for comment. "I've been in this business almost 20 years," Levin said. "I worked in the Reagan administration for eight years. I never once - not once - leaked anything to a newspaper or media outlet, ever. Let alone the New York Times and their ilk. Certainly not about the people around me. I could go further into this - I'm not going to." (Levin did not respond to an emailed request for an interview for this story.) Doing what Carlson was reported to have done is "a serious misunderstanding of one's role, of loyalty, and character," Levin said. While strikingly unusual for a Fox host, it was nothing new for Levin. "He was always the anti-establishment guy," said Brian Rosenwald, a media historian and expert on political talk radio. "That's his brand: that this is serious stuff, the nation is imperiled, and I will call out anyone, Democrat or Republican, that I need to call out and beat them over the head." However, he's unlikely to call out Fox colleague Sean Hannity, who refers to Levin reverently as "the great one." Levin is not one of Fox's weekday opinion stars, so "he gets a little bit more leeway in terms of what he does outside of the Fox world," said Michael Harrison, editor and publisher of Talkers, a magazine covering the talk radio industry. "Because he has such a large radio following and a very loyal one at that, he's valuable to Fox because he brings a large radio audience to Fox," he said. "Fox has always been aware of the traffic that they can generate by putting successful talk radio hosts on television who bring their audience to the Fox television channel, as opposed to vice versa." Since he joined the network, Levin's fire has mostly been trained on members of Fox's news division, most frequently anchor Chris Wallace. (Fox News representatives did not respond to a request for comment on Levin's criticisms.) RELATED: Britney Spears' blistering statement against conservatorship leads L.A. courts to end remote audio broadcasts On Jan. 6, in the hours after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, Levin accused Wallace - and other mainstream journalists - of placing blame unfairly on Trump supporters. "It's not OK to do this," he said of the insurrection. "But when you have Chris Wallace on TV talking about 'the mob,' so, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people - he's sitting in his studio, he's not even there - are now responsible for this, it is outrageous. ... The endless effort to exploit events is what infuriates law-abiding, peaceful Americans like you and me who are fed up with it." On Sept. 30, Levin gave Wallace an extremely low grade as moderator of the previous night's general election debate between Joe Biden and then-President Donald Trump, which he said was "moderated awfully." Once again, he framed his criticism as truth-telling. "I was deeply offended by some of the questions that were asked by the moderator," Levin said. "I'm an American first. Not a radio host first. Not a TV host first. And I'm going to tell it like it is." After Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin confirmed the Atlantic's bombshell reporting about Trump insulting service veterans, Levin called her reporting "meaningless" because it relied on anonymous sources. (Most of Griffin's colleagues, however, rallied around her after Trump responded to her report by lashing out at her on Twitter.) In a September 2019 appearance on "Fox & Friends," Levin bristled when Ed Henry, then a Fox News host and national correspondent, pressed him on whether he thought it was appropriate for the president to lean on Ukrainian officials to investigate the Bidens. "Your question is not honest," Levin snapped. (Levin later issued a statement saying that he likes Henry.) A few months later, he groused on Twitter that fellow conservative pundits, including those on Fox News, were borrowing a theory of his regarding Trump's international intervention strategy, "without attribution of course." He has also clashed with Fox's corporate echelons. In November 2019, Levin exploded on his radio show when confronted with the assertion that he had violated Fox's prohibition on "talent participating in campaign events" by campaigning for a Republican candidate for state Senate in Virginia. "If I want to support a friend who's running for the state Senate, well, damn it, I will do it," he told his listeners. "I should have done more for him. If I want to support my local sheriff, then damn it, I will do it. And nobody on this planet is going to stop me. No corporation." While it has been lost to the cable news memory hole, Levin was a vociferous and vicious critic of Fox News - and the ruling Murdoch family - before he joined the network in 2017. He has referred to Lachlan Murdoch, now the CEO of Fox News parent company Fox Corp., and his brother, former company executive James Murdoch, as "the liberal Murdoch kids." In May 2017, he asked whether "Fox is about to implode?" INFAMOUS MEN: Texas man quits sales job, opens up urban ranch in his backyard Levin, who had supported Ted Cruz for president before rallying behind Trump and becoming one of the biggest television cheerleaders for his presidency, lashed out at Fox for giving Trump a platform to spread a disproven conspiracy theory trying to tie Cruz's father to assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. "What a disgrace that pathetic network has become!" Levin said in May 2016. "They're worse than CNN, and at least MSNBC tells you what they are. But that Fox News network is going to take down this country. They think they're all-powerful, Rupert Murdoch and all the rest of them. I am deadly serious about this. What they're doing to the Republican Party, the conservative movement in this country, is a damnable disgrace. 'They report, we decide?' 'Fair and balanced?' Baloney!" For the past 20 years, the Takoma Horticulture Club has walked in the annual Takoma Park, Md., Fourth of July Parade - then celebrated after with a potluck at one of the members' homes. But even as the pandemic led to the cancellation of the iconic parade two years in a row, club members are ready to resume at least a little bit of normalcy - and reconnect with each other - by passing around a green-bean salad. With about 55 percent of the U.S. population having received at least one vaccine dose and people growing increasingly comfortable with gathering in person, more churches, clubs, organizations and friends are returning to their normal summer celebration styles. That means more potlucks, barbecues and block parties - although with some pandemic touches, like individual drinks instead of pitchers, or a volunteer to serve the food. SAFE CELEBRATIONS: Here's where to celebrate Fourth of July around Houston Experts say the coronavirus risk at potlucks isn't in the meal. "If you're at a potluck and you're worried about covid, it's not likely to be coming from the utensils," said Donald Schaffner, a professor of food microbiology at Rutgers University. Schaffner added that there are other risks with sharing food, like norovirus and allergens. He said that if people preparing the food are practicing safe kitchen etiquette and not coming to potlucks while sick, risk will be limited. "It ultimately comes to you trusting the person preparing the food," Schaffner said. But the thing people say they're looking forward to even more than potato salad and fresh watermelon is seeing the friends they haven't seen in more than a year. Takoma Horticultural Club President Katherine Lambert said the club's potluck this year has attracted a lot of excitement from members who were looking forward to seeing old friends and catching up after more than a year apart. "It's a really, really special time and people are reconnecting," Lambert said. "There's a warmth and gratitude about it. People are more enthusiastic." Members of St. Margaret of Scotland in Capitol Heights, Md., are feeling the same way about resuming their potluck gatherings, along with in-person services, said Pastor Michael Moran. The church resumed its first Friday breakfast gathering this month and has a potluck planned for later this month for church members to meet the new pastoral team. Moran said people were thrilled to reconnect with old friends, joking darkly about having survived the pandemic so far. "Some of them almost want to get up and dance," Moran said. "They are just so happy to see one another." Moran said the church hopes to hold a potluck-style gathering at least once a month. He added that while some people are still hesitant to return to the church, most people were ready to reconnect. MORE LIFESTYLE: Texan teen shares wisdom about persevering during quarantine Matthews Living History Farm Museum in Galax, Va., resumed its weekly potluck and music jam sessions at the end of May after reopening in April. The museum's executive director, Arwen Cayton, said the Tuesday night events had some minor changes to ensure safety. Disposable plates and utensils replaced the potluck's usual reusable ones. Bottled beverages replaced pitchers, and volunteers are serving food rather than guests serving themselves. "This is what has made everyone comfortable," Cayton said. "The mood has not changed, it was just the way that we had to present things." About 30 to 40 people attend each week to connect with others in the community and hear the bluegrass musicians, Cayton said. But, at the first potluck in May, barely any music played. The musicians were too busy catching up from the year they had missed. Jake Nolan Beinstein of Greenwich graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., earning a bachelor of science degree and a commission in the U. S. armed forces. He also earned a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying him to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine. Beinstein is a graduate of Greenwich High School. As part of his four-year education, Beinstein spent one year training as a cadet aboard ocean-going vessels. All USMMA graduates incur an obligation to serve the United States. He will fulfill his commitment as a nuclear test engineer at Electric Boat and serve as a strategic sealift officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is one of five federal service academies. It educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers to serve the nation during peace and war. In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their congressman or senator. Beinstein was nominated by Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Jim Himes. The U.S. Flag Merchant Marine is essential for securing the countrys commerce in peacetime and delivering warfighters, weapons, and military supplies in times of conflict. The majority of Kings Pointers serve for eight years as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard U.S. flag vessels; others will serve on active duty in our nations armed forces. U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a 1986 alumnus of the Academy, gave the commencement address. Your graduation comes at a particularly important inflection point in the United States history. Sea power matters now more than ever. And a big part of that is all of you, Kelly told the graduates. Two residents graduate from the University of the South Two students from Greenwich were awarded degrees at the University of the Souths 2021 commencement ceremonies held May 22 on Hardee-McGee Field on the campus in Sewanee, Tenn. David Allan Fox earned a bachelor of arts in art history, and Lily Georgia Fox was awarded a bachelor of arts in English. Old Greenwich student graduates from Hamilton Caitlin Stern of Greenwich received a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Hamilton College on Saturday, May 22, in a Commencement ceremony concluding the 209th year for the college in Clinton, N.Y. Greenwich student graduates from Roger Williams Jamie Salkin of Old Greenwich graduated with a bachelor of arts in communication and media studies in May as part of the Class of 2021 at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. Salkin was also named to the spring 2021 Deans List. Students who earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Deans List that semester. UT honors student from Greenwich Brooke Bayerbach of Greenwich earned Deans List honors at The University of Tampa in Florida for the spring 2021 semester. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the Deans List. Baylor honors local students Three local students were named to the Deans Academic Honor List for the spring semester at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The students are: Benjamin Rana of Cos Cob, a student in the College of Arts & Sciences; Daniel Bradford Bourgeois of Old Greenwich, a student in the School of Engineering & Computer Science,; and Mark Alexander Bourgeois of Old Greenwich, a student in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students honored on the Deans List earned a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.70. Fairfield University congratulates Deans List students Fairfield University is honoring local students who received Deans List Honors for the spring 2021 semester. The honored students are: Joseph Lenihan of Cos Cob, Daniel Basar of Greenwich, Samantha Boardman of Greenwich, Mariah Brown of Greenwich, Julia Conforti of Greenwich, and Alana Elliott of Old Greenwich. In order to be placed on the Dean's List, students must attain a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) As shockwaves spread across the country from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, corporate America took a stand against the lies that powered the mob. Or so it seemed. Dozens of big companies, citing their commitment to democracy, pledged to avoid donating money to the 147 lawmakers who objected to Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory on the false grounds that voting fraud stole the election from then-President Donald Trump. It was a striking gesture by some of the most familiar names in business but, as it turns out, it was largely an empty one. Six months later, many of those companies have resumed funneling cash to political action committees that benefit the election efforts of lawmakers whether they objected to the election certification or not. When it comes to seeking political influence through corporate giving, business as usual is back, if it ever left. Walmart, Pfizer, Intel, General Electric and AT&T are among companies that announced their pledges on behalf of democracy in the days after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a violent bid to disrupt the transfer of power. The companies contend that donating directly to a candidate is not the same as giving to a PAC that supports them. Given Americas porous campaign finance laws, that's a distinction without a difference to campaign finance experts. The companies' argument also glosses over the fact that, in large measure, they did their giving through PACs before their pledge, rather than to individuals, so in many cases nothing changed. Pledging not to give to a certain person doesnt mean that much when there are so many other ways that corporate money reaches elected officials, said Daniel Weiner, a former senior counsel at the Federal Election Commission who now works at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys law school. These pledges are largely symbolic. Walmarts moral stand lasted three months. In January, the retail giant said it would suspend all donations to the 147 lawmakers who objected to the election results. But in April, the company gave $30,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee, the party organization that supports House Republicans in elections. Two-thirds of those House members voted against certifying Biden's win. Walmart gave an additional $30,000 to the House committee's counterpart for Senate Republicans, the National Republican Senatorial Committee. That group is led by an objector to the election's certification, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who stands to benefit from the contribution along with seven other GOP senators who also sought to overturn the will of voters. Messages left with both committees by The Associated Press were not returned. In January, after the attack, General Electric said it would halt donations to lawmakers who voted against certification because we believe it is important to ensure that our future contributions continue to reflect our companys values and commitment to democracy. But that's not exactly what happened. In April, General Electric gave $15,000 each to the House and Senate GOP election groups. Likewise, Pfizer pledged to suspend contributions to Republican objectors for six months. But after only three months, it gave $20,000 to the GOP's Senate group. Pfizer spokeswoman Sharon Castillo told the AP that the company drew a distinction between giving money to individual lawmakers and to groups created to help those same lawmakers. We just dont think it is an accurate connection, she said. Yet she said Pfizer had no commitment from the Senate election committee that the company's donation would not be used to benefit the eight senators who voted against certification. AT&T also pledged not to give money to lawmakers who objected, but the company sent $5,000 in February to the House Conservatives Fund. Company spokeswoman Margaret Boles said AT&T received assurances the money would not flow to lawmakers who objected to election results, though the PAC is led by a lawmaker who did. Campaign finance experts say theres no way to know whether the money given to Republican PACs will end up directly in the campaign accounts of incumbents who objected to the election results. These Republican committees, like the ones for Democrats, help incumbents in a variety of ways, whether through direct contributions or technical and professional help with voter data, advertising and get-out-the-vote assistance. Moreover, corporate donations to the party committees do not include so-called dark money contributions given to groups that are not required to disclose details publicly. Dark money is a favored vehicle for corporate giving. Its completely frustrating from an accountability point of view, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a Stetson University Law School professor who studies corporate campaign finance. Many of the lawmakers who objected to the certification leaned heavily on the GOP House and Senate election committees in the past and can be expected to want substantial help from them again. For the 2020 election, the NRCC passed along contributions to 39 Republican lawmakers who later objected to the election result, compared with 11 who did not. Altogether, the objectors of Jan. 6 got five times more money in total last year than did those who later voted to certify the states' electoral tallies. Pfizer, GE, Walmart and other companies contacted by the AP said their criticism of lawmakers who objected to the election results stands. For other companies, the pledges may just be a cynical attempt to look good in the eyes of the public. Few of the companies that made pledges tended to give big donations to individual lawmakers anyway, preferring the big party PACs or dark money groups. Weiner said that if companies were serious about using their clout to support democracy, they would fund efforts to defeat Republican measures that would make it harder to vote in many states. I dont think these companies are giving to these groups because they supported the insurrection, Weiner said. They give money and are pressured to give money for a lot reasons all related to their bottom line. Some companies did follow through on their pledges. Hallmark, for instance, said it would not donate to objectors and the record to date shows no PAC donations by that company this year as well as no direct giving to the 147 objectors. Hallmark also asked two objectors, Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Roger Marshall of Kansas, to return direct contributions it made to them before the insurrection. Campaign finance records do not yet show those refunds. Messages seeking comment from the two senators were not returned. Other companies said they would halt campaign contributions following Jan. 6 to give them time to reassess their campaign finance strategy. That list includes Charles Schwab, Citigroup, Archer Daniels Midland and Kraft Heinz. The money given to Republican groups by companies that pledged not to support objectors is small compared with the huge amounts of cash given overall. Walmarts $60,000 contribution to the GOP Senate and House committees is just a fraction of the companys overall political spending on both parties, which last year topped $5 million. Companies often give money to Democrats and Republicans alike as they try to cultivate good relations with whichever party is in power. The companies behind the pledges are no exception. Jan. 6 seemed to shake up that calibration. The violent images from the Capitol were so visceral, the assault at the core of American democracy so extraordinary and the falsehoods behind the attack so audacious that some loyal Republicans abandoned their president and denounced the objectors in their ranks. If the objectors got their way, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said that fraught night, our democracy would enter a death spiral. For a time, all but the 147 seemed on the side of the angels, and corporations jostled to get on board with their pro-democracy pledges. But the devil was in the details. ___ Associated Press writer Calvin Woodward in Washington contributed to this report. After Lauren Miller lost her father in January to COVID-19, her longtime friend Jay Kleiman advised her not to wallow in grief and to seek counseling to ease her pain. Now she finds herself grieving again only this time for Kleiman, one of scores of people believed to be underneath the rubble of a 12-story condominium tower in Florida that collapsed over a week ago, killing at least 24. Im sure hed tell me: Its OK to be sad this is very, very sad but you have to move forward, and you have to be strong, Miller said, her voice cracking. While hundreds of rescuers continue their desperate search for survivors within the remains of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, a smaller cadre of mental health counselors have also been deployed to help families and other loved ones confront overwhelming feelings of grief, fear and anger. For every person still unaccounted for 121 as of Saturday many more lives have been turned upside down as people await word on loved ones or answers that will explain what brought about the calamity. It has been a week since any survivors have been pulled out, and the emotional and psychological fatigue are taking their toll. More than two dozen grief counselors are on duty at the family assistance center in a hotel ballroom where daily briefings are held. When relatives arrive, a so-called navigator helps assess their immediate needs and decides if a mental health specialist should be called in. Sometimes you're just putting a hand on a shoulder and don't say a word, said Miami-Dade Police Capt. Rita Rodriguez, a crisis intervention officer who is consoling the families. Because a lot of them just want to tell you about their family member and they want to tell you about how they feel. Mindful of the fact that little things have the power to touch off intense sorrow, officials have been removing potentially triggering details a poorly chosen black sheet draped in a hallway, floral bouquets that arrived with the best of intentions but lent a funereal ambience to the scene. During the briefings, the counselors scan the room for signs of distress. Handlers lead comfort dogs around the space to be petted, and sometimes to sit for a spell on peoples laps. Rooms are available for anyone who needs counseling in private. When we see that theres a person crying, whatever it is, we will have the psychotrauma therapists walk over. They start by offering a box of tissue. And if they want us to sit, we sit; if not, we just stand there and ask if they want to talk, said Annika Holder, Miami-Dade Countys incident commander at the center. Alfredo Lopez, who narrowly escaped his home of 24 years along with his wife and 24-year-old son, rattled off the names of missing friends too many to keep count. The survivors guilt was so overwhelming in the first few days after the collapse that he sought help from the counselors. They spoke in a very soothing, very loving, motherly way, said Lopez, 61. It meant a lot to me. A website, surfsidestrength.com, has been set up as a portal for accessing help later or for those who are grieving from afar like Miller, who is in New York. Florida bills itself as the first state in the nation to establish a disaster recovery mental health coordinator position whose sole focus is to marshal critical mental health services following a disaster. That official, Darcy Abbott, acknowledged that the long wait has caused tremendous stress for relatives of the missing. This is very tough, because it was unexpected and it was extremely tragic, Abbott said. Florida first lady Casey DeSantis, who has made mental health a key initiative, and Gov. Ron DeSantis have also met with the families. We have witnessed firsthand the profound emotional toll this disaster has taken on the lives of so many, she said, describing their stories as heart-wrenching but also inspiring. Florida has had its share of traumatic events, from the mass shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 and the Pulse nightclub two years earlier to the periodic hurricanes that level entire communities. While different, the horror of the building collapse can have similar psychological fallout, said Dr. Katherine Shear, director of Columbia Universitys Center for Prolonged Grief. The danger, she said, is when people find their lives grinding to a standstill and can no longer function in a meaningful way. Over time most people will come to terms with it, Shear said, but some people just can't. Emergency responders are at risk for mental trauma, too, as they labor around the clock and encounter heartbreaking scenes. On Friday they pulled from the rubble the body of a 7-year-old girl, the daughter of a Miami firefighter who was part of the search effort. So counselors are embedded with the crews to offer support. Obviously, the firefighters are emotional, Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said. You know it takes a toll. Rescuers have not found anyone alive since the first hours after the Champlain Towers South collapsed in the early hours of June 24. Among those confirmed to have died are family members of Kleiman, who was in town from Puerto Rico to attend a funeral. When Miller last spoke to him, they talked about her sons recent prom and the pride Kleiman felt after his daughter landed an internship. Miller is leaning on friends for comfort and may soon return to her grief counselor. Against long odds, she clings to hope he will somehow turn up alive and imagines him trapped with others in a pocket of space inside the wreckage. And he is telling them not to give up, Miller said, as they wonder how many more days before they are found. ___ AP writer Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this story. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Cyprus search crews discovered four charred bodies outside a fire-swept mountain village on Sunday in what the interior minister called the most destructive blaze in the eastern Mediterranean island nations history. Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said Civil Defense volunteers discovered the remains just outside the village of Odou on the southern edge of the Troodos mountain range. The blaze, which began Saturday afternoon outside the village of Arakapas, spread quickly amid strong winds and forced the evacuation of at least eight mountain villages, destroying homes and scorching 55 square kilometers (21 square miles) of pine forest and orchards. We are experiencing the most destructive fire since the founding of the Cyprus republic," Nouris said, adding that 50 homes were damaged so far. Authorities believe the bodies belong to four Egyptian laborers aged 22 to 29 who had gone missing Saturday evening. Nouris said he has spoken to the Egyptian ambassador to Cyprus and that arrangements will be made to repatriate the remains. Odou community chief Menelaos Philippou told state-run Cyprus News agency the four men who worked at a greenhouse that grew tomatoes tried to flee the fire along a mountain road, but their small truck veered off the road and crashed down an embankment. They then try to flee on foot but didn't make it. President Nicos Anastasiades called the fire an unprecedented tragedy" except for the destruction wreaked by a 1974 war that split the island along ethnic lines after Turkey invaded in response to a coup aimed at union with Greece. Greek and Israeli aircraft joined 11 other planes and helicopters in firefighting efforts Sunday afternoon. Despondent residents who saw their homes go up in flames vented anger at what they called authorities' slow response. Anastasiades, who toured the fire-hit villages, pledged immediate government help to farmers and homeowners who lost crops and property and the families of those who perished in the fire. Police said a 67-year-old man faces arson charges. A court ordered that he remain in custody for eight days to assist the investigation into the cause of the fire. Nouris said firefighting aircraft and ground crews focused their efforts Sunday on two massive fire fronts between the villages of Odou and Vavatsinia. Government deputy spokeswoman Niovi Parissinou said some of the fire-afflicted villages were later declared safe and residents could return home. She said fire crews would remain on alert all night to prevent a possible resurgence of the blaze. Fire officials said the entire department had mobilized to fight the fire, including 70 fire engines, seven bulldozers and 10 water tankers. Many volunteers also rushed to help. Two helicopters from British military bases in Cyprus also helped firefighting efforts, along with two Greek Canadair CL-415 aircraft and two Israeli fixed-wing planes. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) In the dim light just after dawn, Bill Blubaugh parks his Des Moines Water Works pickup truck, grabs a dipper and a couple plastic bottles and walks down a boat ramp to the Raccoon River, where he scoops up samples from a waterway that cuts through some of the nations most intensely farmed land. Each day the utility analyzes whats in those samples and others from the nearby Des Moines River as it works to deliver drinking water to more than 500,000 people in Iowas capital city and its suburbs. Some mornings walking down, it smells like ammonia, he said. Its concerning. Im down here every morning and care about the water. Water Works for years has tried to force or cajole farmers upstream to reduce the runoff of fertilizer that leaves the rivers with sky-high nitrate levels but lawsuits and legislative lobbying have failed. Now, it's considering a drastic measure that, as a rule, large cities just don't do drilling wells to find clean water. Small communities and individuals use wells, but large U.S. metro areas have always relied primarily on rivers and lakes for the large volumes of water needed. Surface sources provide about 70% of fresh water in the U.S., as a reliance on wells for big populations would otherwise quickly deplete aquifers. However, the utility in Des Moines is planning to spend up to $30 million to drill wells to mix in pure water when the rivers have especially high nitrate levels from farm runoff, most likely in the summer. After spending $18 million over the last two decades on a system to treat the tainted river water, its frustrating to pay out millions more for something other cities wouldn't imagine, say utility officials. I look at it in disbelief, said Ted Corrigan, the CEO and general manager of Water Works. Des Moines has become an extreme example of the conflict over clean water between agriculture and cities in farm states with minimal regulation. Iowa is a national leader in producing corn, soybeans, eggs and pork, and all that agricultural bounty results in enormous amounts of chemical fertilizer and animal waste pouring into waterways. The state's 23 million pigs produce waste that would be the equivalent of 83 million people -- more than 25 times the states human population, according to University of Iowa research engineer Chris Jones. Most of that manure is spread over Iowas 26 million acres of cropland, along with chemical fertilizers. The natural and chemical fertilizers have helped Iowa increase its corn and soybean production by roughly 50 percent over the past 30 years, but much of it ends up in Iowas waterways, especially in areas of north-central Iowa that drain into the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Thats because the areas farmland is relatively flat and relies on drainage systems called tiles that dont allow excess fertilizer to filter through the soil but instead quickly pour it into streams, leading to high levels of nitrate and phosphorus. Although there is plenty of agreement on ways to filter out chemicals, such as by leaving buffer zones and planting cover crops like rye when the ground would otherwise be bare, the state's farm lobby has opposed mandatory rules and Iowa legislators have favored a voluntary approach that so far hasnt made a dent in the problem. Water Works and other groups have filed lawsuits demanding more rigorous action, but judges have decided to leave the issue to the Legislature. Lately, utility officials have become concerned by increased algae blooms, caused by a combination of fertilizer runoff, high temperatures and slow-moving water. Rivers tainted by the algae cant be used as drinking water. Nitrates can cause so-called blue baby syndrome in which infants lose the ability to properly process oxygen into the bloodstream, giving their skin a bluish tint. The question was ... 'whats next with these challenging surface waters were dealing with? asked Corrigan. Are we just going to have a rolling series of multimillion-dollar processes that make our treatment process more complex and more expensive? Water Works is now paying the U.S. Geological Service $770,000 to evaluate spots to drill wells just north of the city. Brian LeMon, vice president of Minneapolis-based Barr Engineering Company, said he didn't know of another large city with such high levels of nitrate. The much larger Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area to the north has no similar problem with the water it takes from the Mississippi River, in part because of less intensive farming and animal production upriver, required buffer strips and the river's larger volume. Nitrate removal is not cheap, said LeMon, whose company is a consultant for Des Moines Water Works planning process. Mike Naig, Iowas secretary of agriculture, acknowledges the runoff problem but supports the state's voluntary Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which uses limited state and federal funding to pay for water quality projects on farmland. Workers are now installing buffers and implementing other efforts in Polk County, where Des Moines is located, but even advocates acknowledge that making a significant difference would require filtering runoff at thousands of locations, potentially costing billions of dollars. Dave Walton, who grows soybeans and corn in eastern Iowa, said farmers should do their part to reduce nitrates but that each farm is different and regulations wouldn't be uniformly effective. He said preventing runoff is costly and would require public-private partnerships that likely would take decades. If a farm operation is going to be sustainable, they have to create profit year after year," Walton said. To ask a farmer to invest in something that doesn't add to the bottom line in a period of time when they were not making a profit anyway, it's just a moot point." Timothy LaPara, an engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, said nearly every city faces some complication in ensuring safe drinking water, but Des Moines' problem requires an unusual solution. Nitrate doesnt usually get to the levels you see in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, he said. Central Iowa has some of the worst water quality youll find. ___ Follow Scott McFetridge on Twitter: https://twitter.com/smcfetridge The latest on Fourth of July celebrations across the U.S.: 8:45 p.m. WASHINGTON The White House party for the July Fourth holiday has the hallmarks of both happiness and commiseration. The crowds danced to a military band playing popular songs and whooped when President Joe Biden took the podium to speak. The Washington Nationals four presidential mascots George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt ran a footrace with Teddy winning. Yet there was an undeniable sense of loss for participants such as Twanda Taylor, a New Jersey kindergarten teacher. She brought her godson, Nasir Dickerson, 14, who lost his father to COVID-19 on April 21, 2020. This is what its all about bringing America all back together, Taylor said. Its an honor to be here. __________ MORE ON THE FOURTH OF JULY: - After a year lost to the coronavirus, New York Citys most well-known Fourth of July traditions are back. - President Joe Biden is r eady to host the largest event yet of his presidency, an Independence Day barbecue and fireworks-watching celebration on the South Lawn on Sunday night. - Fireworks were unintentionally detonated as they were being set up for an Independence Day show in Ocean City, Maryland, leaving employees of the fireworks company with minor injuries. ___________ HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: 5:40 p.m. NEW ORLEANS Fireworks are returning to New Orleans on Independence Day thanks to actor Will Smith. Smith is picking up the roughly $100,000 tab for the pyrotechnics over the Mississippi River after learning New Orleans didnt plan a 2021 show, city officials told news outlets. New Orleans cancelled last years fireworks because of COVID-19. Smith is in New Orleans working on his latest film Emancipation, which will tell the story of a slave, Peter, who escaped a Louisiana plantation and whose photo of scars on his back from being whipped exposed the brutality of slavery. He would also fight for the Union in the Civil War. Smith moved production of the film from Georgia to Louisiana in early April after Georgia passed a new voting law that prompted a federal lawsuit saying the overhaul was intended to deny Black voters equal access to the ballot. 2:10 p.m. NEW YORK Chowdown champ Joey Jaws Chestnut broke his own record to gulp to a 14th win in the mens Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday. Michelle Lesco took the womens title. Chestnut downed 76 franks and buns in 10 minutes. Thats one more than he did in setting the mens record last year, when the contest unfolded without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lesco downed 30 dogs in 10 minutes. Reigning womens champ and record-holder Miki Sudo skipped this year because shes expecting a baby in a few weeks. 2 p.m. MIAMI The Fourth of July holiday was marked with somber tones in South Florida, where a collapsed building has left at least 24 dead and more than 120 missing under rubble. July 4 is ordinarily a time to gather with our loved ones and to celebrate our freedom and our independence, and this year the holiday looks very different, said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. But through this grief, she said, and all of the other obstacles that have been thrown our way, a clear picture emerges of what it means to be American. A candle-light vigil was planned for Sunday night in Miami Beach for the victims of the fallen Champlain Towers South condominiums complex in Surfside, Florida. Neighboring Miami Beach typically hosts one of the regions most spectacular fireworks displays, but officials canceled its show for the second year out of respect for the families. The show could not go on last year because of the coronavirus outbreak. While many communities across South Florida canceled fireworks, one of the few locations in Miami-Dade County that was going forward with fireworks displays was former President Donald Trumps golf resort in Doral. Tickets for the free event, 20 miles (32 kilometers) inland from Surfside, were sold out. Tom Davies/AP INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianas governor is traveling to the Persian Gulf country of Qatar for what the state economic development office says is an effort to boost business relationships with the region. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is scheduled to leave Monday and return to the state on Friday, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Holcomb will be joined on the trip by new state Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and agency staff members. ATLANTA (AP) The young midshipman needed a date one evening while he was home from the U.S. Naval Academy, so his younger sister paired him with a family friend who already had a crush. Nearly eight decades later, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are still together in the same tiny town where they were born, grew up and had that first outing. In between, theyve traveled the world as Naval officer and military spouse, American president and first lady, and finally as human rights and public health ambassadors. Its a full partnership, the 39th president told The Associated Press during a joint interview ahead of the couples 75th wedding anniversary on July 7. It will be another milestone for the longest-married presidential couple in American history. At 96, Carter also is the longest-lived of the 45 men whove served as chief executive. Yet even having reached that pinnacle, Carter has said often since leaving the Oval Office in 1981 that the most important decision he ever made wasnt as head of state, commander in chief or even executive officer of a nuclear submarine in the early years of the Cold War. Rather, it was falling for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1945 and marrying her the following summer. My biggest secret is to marry the right person if you want to have a long-lasting marriage, Carter said. The nonagenarians shes now 93 offered a few other tips for an enduring bond. Every day there needs to be reconciliation and communication between the two spouses, the former president said, explaining that he and Rosalynn, both devout Christians, read the Bible together aloud each night something theyve done for years, even when separated by their travels. We dont go to sleep with some remaining differences between us, he said. Rosalynn Carter noted the importance of finding common interests. Even now, she said, Jimmy and I are always looking for things to do together. Still, she emphasized a caveat: Each (person) should have some space. Thats really important. As first lady, Rosalynn Carter carved her own identity even as she supported her husband. Building on her predecessors efforts to highlight special causes, she went to work in her own East Wing office, setting a standard for first ladies by working alongside her husbands West Wing aides on key legislation, especially dealing with health care and mental health. She continued that focus as the couple built the Carter Center in Atlanta after their White House years. Certainly, a 75-year marriage hasnt been seamless, the couple acknowledges. Jimmy was initially on course to be an admiral, not commander in chief, and Rosalynn appreciated their life beyond Plains, home to fewer than a thousand people, then and now. But when James Earl Carter Sr. became sick and died in 1953, his son cut short his Navy career and decided the family would return to rural Georgia. The former president has written that in retrospect he finds it inconceivable not to discuss such a life-changing decision with his wife, who was unhappy with the move. Now, they see the blossoming of their partnership in that challenging juncture. We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics, Rosalynn Carter told AP. I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things, she added, drawing a laugh and affirmation from her husband. Jimmy Carter also didnt seek Rosalynn's permission to make his first bid for office a few years later. In that instance, she was on board anyway. My wife is much more political, he said. She interjected: I love it. I love campaigning. I had the best time. I was in all the states in the United States. I campaigned solid every day the last time we ran. That didn't help avoid a rout by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. But it further cemented Rosalynn whod originally given up her own opportunity to go to college when she married at age 18 as equal partner to the leader of the free world. And it marked Jimmy Carter's evolution as a spouse. He's since been an outspoken voice for womens rights, including within Christianity. Carter left the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006, denouncing what he called rigid views that subjugated women in the church and in their own marriages. The former president ratified those views again, as well as his support for the church recognizing same-sex marriage. It will continue to be divisive, he said. But the church is evolving. The Carters plan to celebrate their own marriage milestone a few days after their anniversary with a party in Plains. Decades removed from inaugural balls and state dinners, the most famous residents of Sumter County said they have mixed feelings about the spotlight. We have too many people invited, Rosalynn Carter said with a laugh. Im actually praying for some turndowns and regrets. LAS VEGAS (AP) A Las Vegas police officer was shot and wounded early Sunday after a struggle with a man who was being arrested, authorities said. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said some officers were working a concert at Allegiant Stadium around 1:30 a.m. when they responded to a disturbance incident involving a man. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Wildlife officials say a rare animal spotted in a Utah neighborhood likely has been on the move in search of a new place to live. A home doorbell camera caught the wolverine on video Thursday in west Layton about 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials believe it was the same animal seen on nearby Antelope Island in early May. Wolverines have been spotted in Utah only six times. The last time before this year was in 2016. The largest members of the weasel family, wolverines look like a combination of a skunk and bear and reach 40 pounds (18 kilograms). They are rare in the Rocky Mountain region and typically found in high mountain areas. Males usually establish a territory with one to three females, leaving two other males on average to rove in search of their own territories, said wildlife biologist and Wolverine Foundation board member Jeff Copeland. In doing so they can end up in some really odd places weve seen over the years, Copeland said. Wolverines often don't shy away from people but aren't dangerous, just naturally curious, he said. Wolverines declined in the U.S. before beginning to rebound in the 1960s. AP MOSCOW (AP) Ukraines defense minister is under pressure from members of the government over the decision to have female military cadets wear pumps with heels in an important parade. The purpose of any military parade is to demonstrate the military ability of the army. There should be no room for stereotypes and sexism, said a joint statement from three Cabinet members, including Minister of Veterans Affairs Yulia Laputina. MILFORD Members of the Woodmont community are proud to say theyre from the beachside neighborhood on the east side of the city.But that will change for a day later this summer, as Woodmont Day 2021 celebrates the world. We are the World, the 1985 fundraising song that features dozens of music stars, is the theme chosen by organizers to celebrate the diversity in the Woodmont community. Its something I wanted to do because there was so much racial disparity going on in the country and our neighborhood is made up of so many nationalities, said Kelly Cummings, a member of the Woodmont Day Committee. I wanted to celebrate that and bring people closer together. This year will mark the 59th Woodmont Day, and Cummings said what makes it such a special event is that at its root it began as a simple gathering of neighbors to celebrate the community. It started out as a neighborhood picnic and it still is that, but it has drawn more people over the years, said Cummings. There are people that have moved away and plan their vacation to be part of Woodmont Day. We get a lot of people all over Milford and its always been something that represents the community. According to the Borough of Woodmont Connecticut website, the Woodmont Improvement Association was first created by a special act of Connecticut General Assembly in 1893. Woodmont Day 2021 is scheduled for July 31. The festivities start at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run, with registration from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Other highlights include a beach yoga session at 9:30 a.m. and a parade at 10:15 a.m. The food, beer and merchandise tents open at 11 a.m. and a talent competition begins at 11:30. Other events include music, beach games, a scavenger hunt and more throughout the day. I call it an overgrown picnic, Cummings said. In the evening we get from 3,000 to 5,000 people show up. Its a great place to watch a free band while looking at the water and eating hot dogs, hamburgers and fried clams. Beekeeper Jim Oravetz, who will be giving a presentation on his hobby, said he wants people to leave his presentation with a better understanding of the importance of bees on the environment and their daily lives. Im probably going to bring some of my equipment and show people what it takes to put together a hive, he said. The reason I got into beekeeping itself is that bees are under a lot of stress right now and bees are key to a lot of food sources that people take for granted. Oravetz said he was initially drawn to the environmental aspect of beekeeping. Now, hes been doing it for 10 years, and hopes to draw more people into the hobby. We need pollinators, and that will probably be my main message, he said. Pollinators are good and even though I keep honeybees, there are other types of pollinators that are important for the environment. This will not be Oravtezs first Woodmont Day as he has been a volunteer before but this will be his first time presenting during the event. I have spoken once before so this is still new to me, but I used to live in Woodmont and I used to volunteer every year, so it wasn't out of the question when they needed someone to speak, he said. I love Woodmont and I have been involved in that community for many years. Typically, Oravetz would run five hives each year, but this year, he has eight, which is an all-time high for him. Its a lot of work. You have to go inspect hives every two weeks as a minimum just to make sure the queen is doing her job, he said. I dont have them all in one location, I actually have them in three different locations. I like having that exposure because now theyre harvesting different crops and different things for their food source. Another Woodmont Day tradition, the annual parade, will have a different look this year. Normally the parade has a grand marshal. This year, organizers are hoping to have dozens. We actually have a lot of frontline workers that live here in the neighborhood, said Cummings. We are asking them to come out in unison and lead our parade as the grand marshals. After the year that everyone has just lived through, Cummings said it was impossible to pick a single grand marshal. We just felt there were so many people, and we felt it would be a great way to thank them, said Cummings. If COVID changed the parade this year, Cummings said there also will be a few other changes due to the virus, including a change to the traditional pie-eating contest. There are going to be some things being done differently this year due to COVID. One of the traditional contests, the pie-eating contest, will be different this year. This year we are going to set up two stations so people will do their pie-eating one at a time rather than having multiple people next to each other, said Cummings. Competitors will eat their pies, provided by Bishops Orchard, while timed by a volunteer. Another thing being done differently this year is the event only goes to 8 p.m. In previous years the festivities went on until 11 p.m. Typically we take a break between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to give the volunteers a break. But because we get that big crowed in the evening, and things have been so up and down with COVID and us not knowing what the restrictions would be and what we could have, we decided this year that we would go straight through, but we are ending at 8 p.m., said Cummings. That way we still have time to have an evening band but we wanted to close before dusk. POMONA, Calif. (AP) Teenage boys chased down soccer balls on grassy fields. Dormitory beds were organized into small pods with a TV in each section. Some kids laid on the cots reading, while others played cards nearby with caseworkers. The Biden administration on Friday gave a rare look inside an emergency shelter it opened to house migrant children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone, calling the California facility a model among its large-scale sites. MORE NEWS: Jill Biden traveled to Texas to promote Covid-19 vaccinations Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, whose agency is in charge of caring for migrant children, was joined by elected officials as he toured the shelter housing nearly 1,400 children at the Los Angeles County fairgrounds in the city of Pomona. Two journalists from The Associated Press were allowed to accompany them and shared notes and photos of the tour with other news outlets as part of a pool arrangement. The facility was a sharp contrast to conditions reported at other emergency shelters, where children have complained of foul-smelling food, little outdoor recreational space and having to spend their days sleeping with little to do and no knowledge of when they would be released to relatives in the United States. We consider this a model, Becerra told reporters after touring the Pomona facility, which has a 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter) air-conditioned room with foosball and ping pong tables, wooden blocks and other games. Large signs in Spanish above the rooms entryway read welcome, hope, and love. In a room filled with caseworkers, Becerra spoke to the kids in Spanish about when they would be reunited with their families. We are trying to do this as soon as possible, but in a safe manner," he said. Within four hours of arriving at the shelter, each child can use the call center, a room with brightly colored paintings of butterflies and sea creatures. After that, they can call their families twice a week. Next to the call area, scores of blue, pink and silver stars with names nearly covered a wall. An official said staffers post a star with a childs name when they are discharged from the facility. Youre running out of space, Becerra noted. Staff at the shelter roam the dorms and outdoor spaces to be on alert for any emergencies. Teachers from the Pomona Unified School District provide 90-minute classes twice a week to each child, with half the time spent developing their English skills. With its existing buildings and green spaces, the Pomona site had some advantages over places like Fort Bliss Army base near El Paso, Texas, where the governments largest shelter was erected as a tent camp from scratch, Becerra said. Advocates have said Fort Bliss, which Becerra visited days ago without allowing media to accompany him, has been particularly problematic. It is not easy to stand something up like this quickly, and do it right, but I think you can see that this is a place where kids can be healthy and safe," Becerra said of the Pomona facility. The government set up the temporary shelters this spring as tens of thousands of children crossed the border alone. Of the 14 centers that opened, two have been shuttered because they did not meet government standards; others have been closing as more children are released to family in the U.S. or to facilities with higher levels of care. While the emergency shelters are widely considered an improvement over border holding facilities packed with kids, the Biden administration is facing increasing pressure to address concerns that migrant children have been languishing in the unlicensed centers rather than being quickly reunited with their families in the United States, causing anxiety and panic attacks. SOUTHERN DEBATE: Texas GOP complains about slavery's role in Battle of the Alamo Republicans say the administration was caught flat-footed by the situation at the border and that President Joe Bidens immigration policies have encouraged unaccompanied children to come. Nearly 19,000 children traveling alone were picked up along the border in March, by far the highest month on record. Advocates say no shelter can replace a family or licensed facility in terms of providing care for children. They say the emergency sites were meant to be a safe place to house children for a couple of weeks to give the government time to contact and vet their relatives. Those without family in the U.S. are supposed to be sent to a state-licensed facility. As of this week, the average stay at temporary shelters was 37 days, with the network of facilities filled at just over half its capacity, according to Health and Human Services data obtained by the AP. More than half of the 5,300 children at emergency shelters have close family in the U.S. such as a parent or grandparent. No such contact was identified for a third of the youth at those sites, the data showed. Immigration attorney Karina Ramos of Immigrant Defenders Law Center in California visits the Pomona shelter twice a week. Of the 2,605 children who have come there, more than half have been reunited with their families, Becerras agency said. The number one question is: When am I going home? Ramos said, which is obviously understandable. But Ramos said the children generally don't have complaints. Most at the Pomona facility are teenage boys, with fewer than 300 children under 12. Most are from Guatemala and Honduras. This is definitely not Fort Bliss, Ramos said. Children are generally active, and theyre happy, and they come talk to us. RELATED: Trump's former executives wonder if it's 'beginning of the end' In transcripts of interviews done by attorneys from March to early June and filed in federal court in Los Angeles, more than a dozen migrant children described their desperation to get out of the emergency facilities. In one account, a teenage girl said she had been at Fort Bliss for nearly 60 days and had resorted to eating only popsicles and juice because the food was foul. Becerra said conditions have improved in recent weeks with additional spiritual, recreational, educational and mental health services. The Fort Bliss shelter also was being reconfigured to a more child-friendly pod system with single cots instead of doubles. More caseworkers have been added, speeding up family reunifications. Because of the progress, Becerra said the number of children his agency is caring for has dropped from a high of more than 22,000 to just over 14,400, with more than half at licensed shelters. His agency said it will close four emergency facilities this summer, with Pomona and Fort Bliss staying open. Texas GOP Chairman Allen West announced Sunday he is running for governor, challenging fellow Republican Greg Abbott. The announcement was made during at appearance by West at Sojourn Church in Carrollton, where the former Florida congressman played a video launching his campaign. Ive not been in elected political office for about a decade, but I can no longer sit on the sidelines and see what has happened in these United States of America and ... the place that I call home," West said in the video, which was preceded by West reading aloud the Declaration of Independence to the churchgoers gathering on July Fourth. West's campaign launch comes about a month after he announced his resignation as state party chairman. The resignation is effective July 11, when the State Republican Executive Committee is set to meet to pick West's successor as chair. West quickly hinted that he was considering a run for statewide office after he announced his resignation, though speculation had run rampant for months that he was eyeing a bigger job. As state party chairman, he did not shy away from conflict with state leaders, most notably Abbott. Since his election as Texas GOP chair in July of last year when he soundly beat then-incumbent James Dickey, West has criticized Abbott's coronavirus response and sought to push the governor's legislative agenda further to the right. Abbott has mostly ignored West's attacks. But the governor has increasingly catered to his right flank in recent months as he has appeared to try to tamp down potential vulnerabilities ahead of his reelection campaign. West did not directly mention Abbott in his remarks Sunday in the church or in the video. West used the video to sketch out a platform focused on shielding the state's energy resources against the Green New Deal the sweeping climate change proposal pushed by some Democrats in Washington, D.C. securing the state's border "to ensure that Texas is for Texans" and combatting sex trafficking. Abbott's campaign did not immediately respond to request for a comment on West's announcement. On ExpressNews: Allen West resigns as Texas GOP chairman Abbott received his first credible primary challenger in May, when former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas launched a bid against Abbott. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller weighed running against Abbott as well but announced last month he would instead seek reelection to his current job. Facing the intraparty angst, Abbott also has embraced former President Donald Trump more than ever. In June, he secured Trump's endorsement for reelection, announced Texas would build its own border wall to finish the job started under Trump and invited Trump to the state for a border tour. West is also a vocal Trump ally, though he has brushed off the impact of Trump's endorsement on his future political plans. "You know, I don't serve President Trump," West said in June. "I serve God, county and Texas. So that does not affect me whatsoever." West represented Florida in Congress from 2011-2013. He moved to Texas in 2014 to become the CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis, a Dallas think tank that shuttered three years later. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. Independence Day 2021 what a difference a year makes. A year ago, I honestly didnt know if our beloved and normally vibrant Curtain Call in Stamford could survive an extended closure. Today, we are back in action and gearing up for normal levels of activity. The holiday means so much more to me this year. I had never been more active in government than voting in every state, federal and local election I was entitled to. It wasnt just the contentious presidential race that motivated me, it was the survival of the industry that Ive been part of for most of my life the arts. And more specifically, theater. We couldnt die. Mark Twain may have made light with his quote, The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated when his obituary was erroneously published, but theaters and other arts venues were indeed dying. And yes, I am well aware of another great writers quote, The theater is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed (John Steinbeck). The art form needed for the soul of our world surely would not succumb, but what would it take to survive a global pandemic? Steinbecks quote ended with this: It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive. I saw huge organizations with multi-million dollar budgets (and their incredibly large lobbying groups) pushing Congress for survival funds. Organizations totally worthy and in need of support. But smaller organizations such as Curtain Call (thousands across the country in fact) were being left behind. I couldnt stay quiet. And while Ive never had a problem being a squeaky wheel when needed, trying to affect change on a federal level was going to take a lot more noise and a lot of devoted people. Through a chance meeting with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, I made my first meaningful contact with a member of Connecticuts federal delegation. That inspired me to reach out to Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes. I then spoke to our constituents and begged them to write these legislators and more. I reached out to influential friends in the industry writers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Amanda Green, and Drew Cohen, president of one of the largest musical theater licensing agencies (MTI), and many more, and the momentum picked up from there. I tweeted to more than 100 members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. I emailed and left voicemails and encouraged colleagues across the country to do so. And it paid off. (Special thanks to Connecticuts federal delegation and their staff members who stayed in touch with me on a regular basis as the various hurdles of federal funding programs were put in front of us.) As a nation, we have our problems, many of which may never be solved. Our history is flawed, our founders were flawed, none of us is perfect. But to create a more perfect union, we all must participate. My one voice did not make the necessary changes to the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant happen. Rather it was the small group of artists and patrons who joined in with me. As Margaret Mead said in 1978, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, its the only thing that ever has. This July 4, no matter how imperfect our union is, I will be more grateful than ever that I have a voice in our democracy. When I take the stage this fall playing John Adams in 1776 (Sept. 17 to Oct. 9 at Curtain Call) I will look at these characters in a very different way. Acknowledging their faults and what they got wrong, but appreciating all that they got right in that 1,300-plus word document we celebrate today. Happy Independence Day! Lou Ursone is executive director of Curtain Call Theatre in Stamford. Florida, FL (34429) Today Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. High 89F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. If you are considering a career in the international airline industry, it is important that you understand the factors that may affect your ability to enter Canada. Flying Smoothly: A Canadian Guide for International Airline Staff If you are considering a career in the international airline industry, it is important that you understand the factors that may affect your ability to enter Canada. Flying Smoothly: A Canadian Guide for International Airline Staff If you are considering a career in the international airline industry, it is important that you understand the factors that may affect your ability to enter Canada. Flying Smoothly: A Canadian Guide for International Airline Staff If you are considering a career in the international airline industry, it is important that you understand the factors that may affect your ability to enter Canada. Michael Schwartz Matt Hendler Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A With vaccination campaigns ramping up, and pent-up travellers seeking an outlet, the international airline industry is poised to return to life. Stock in Air Canada, for example, posted a 10.5% gain in May 2021. In early June, meanwhile, the company announced it was re-activating more than 2,600 jobs which it had to eliminate at the onset of the pandemic. The Atlanta-based Delta Airlines, meanwhile, stated its intent to hire over 1,000 pilots by next summer. And, as of June 22, LinkedIn featured openings for no less than 25,000 jobs as flight attendants in the United States alone. Canada is a major centre for global air travel. According to a 2019 report, Torontos Pearson Airport had the most international destinations (163) of any airport in North America, outpacing the second-place holder, New Yorks JFK Airport, by over 30. That year, more than 50,000,000 passengers passed through Pearson. Approximately half that number came that year through Canadas second busiest airport, Vancouvers. Get a free consultation with the Law Firm of Campbell Cohen If youre planning to begin (or resume) a career in the international airline industry, it is important you understand, then, factors that may impact your ability to enter the country. The most common obstacle for non-citizens of Canada intending to enter the country as airline staff is criminal inadmissibility. If you have a criminal record, you may be inadmissible to enter Canada. Airlines are very unlikely to seriously consider hiring individuals with convictions for felonies. Thus, the most frequent criminal inadmissibility situation for airline staff emerges in the context of a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). First-time DUI and related offences are generally considered less serious crimes, i.e. misdemeanors, in the USA. However, a single DUI conviction can render a person inadmissible to Canada. Inadmissibility to Canada can have serious consequences on ones ability to work for an airline. This status can result in a person not being able to qualify for a job with an airline or impairing their ability to continue in a job they currently hold. Airlines, understandably, need assurance their employees will be able to travel wherever they are sent. It is unpleasant for both employee and employer to suddenly discover a crew member is unable to enter Canada, especially when one has already landed there. Fortunately, there are different remedies to criminal inadmissibility. The main remedy available to airline staff is known as criminal rehabilitation. This term refers to a process by which Canada recognizes a person otherwise inadmissible to Canada to no longer be so. Individual rehabilitation involves a person demonstrating that they do not pose any risk to Canada through an application submitted to a Canadian consulate. Eligibility will depend on each persons individual circumstances the crime(s) committed, the sentence imposed, and how much time has passed since the individual completed their sentence. The major advantage to obtaining criminal rehabilitation is that it never expires as long, of course, as you continue to respect the law. There is no need to re-apply each time, and a Canadian border officer and airline employer should recognize valid rehabilitation as proof of your admissibility to Canada. The Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) makes a person admissible to enter Canada for a set amount of time in no case longer than three years. An individual can apply for it in advance through a consulate, or at a point-of-entry (POE). The latter path is discouraged, however. An application through a consulate allows specialized staff to carefully consider a persons application and for the applicant to obtain their TRP or at least find out whether or not they will get one in advance. A TRP may be valid for a single visit lasting a day, or it may allow repeated entries to Canada during its period of validity. If a person can demonstrate a repeated need to enter Canada over a period of time say, due to work this factor will make them more likely to receive a longer/broader TRP. Legal advice can be useful to current or prospective airline staff even before the person has been convicted of any crime. For example, you may have been charged with an offence in a foreign country, but still awaiting your cases final determination. A Canadian immigration lawyer can explain to you the impact different judgments and sentences would have on your ability to enter the country whether, for example, rehabilitation would be necessary, or possible. Airline hiring is discretionary. Proving you are admissible to Canada may not guarantee you will be selected for a job with an airline. However, it can be extremely valuable to show you are admissible to Canada, as a person who cannot demonstrate this status is unlikely to even be considered for an airline job involving international travel. Get a free consultation with the Law Firm of Campbell Cohen CIC News All Rights Reserved. Discover your Canadian immigration options at CanadaVisa.com. You will receive 5-day a week delivery of the Citizen Tribune newspaper to your home or business, plus full, ad-free access to CitizenTribune.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of the newspaper. ONLY $13.99 per month for the first 3 months! Only $16.00 per month after promotional period. Or ONLY $169.99 for a full year Only $198.95 per year after promotional period. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. David K. Koch, who served as CEO of the Jewish Community Board of Akron for 11 years and retired in December 2018, has returned to the organization as a part-time independent consultant while it searches for a replacement for Todd Polikoff, who stepped down from the role to become the COO of Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) No funds were misused in the purchase of body cameras for police, the country's top cop assured the public. Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar made the statement Sunday after receiving reports of the allegations surfacing on social media. "Fully-accounted ang perang inilaan ng Kongreso sa pagbili nito at sa katunayan ay nakatipid pa nga ang PNP ng mahigit 45 milyon sa transaksyong ito at ang natipid na perang ito ay inilaan na sa pagbili ng mga high-definition CCTVs na siyang gagamitin sa aming operasyon kontra insurgency at terorismo," Eleazar said. [Translation: The money from Congress is fully accounted for, and the PNP was able to save more than 45 million in this transaction. The money saved will be set aside to buy high-definition CCTVs which will be used in our operations against insurgency and terrorism.] Eleazar said the PNP saved 45,111,006.28 in the purchase of the cameras, and this amount was added to the 19,429,717.08 savings from the recent improvement of the PNP Command Center. Eleazar also said they are coordinating with the office of Senator Manny Pacquio to see whether the PNP was mentioned in the list of government offices accused of corruption. "If indeed Sen. Pacquiao said there was corruption in the procurement of body cams, we would appreciate if he could provide us the details and I assure him that we would look into it," the PNP chief added. READ: Pacquiao calls out DSWD over 'missing' 10.4-B pandemic aid Michael "Mike" Robinson, 75, of Danville passed away on July 7, 2021, following a brief illness. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, mechanical skill, generous spirit, kindness, creativity, fierce independence and love of nature and fast cars. He owned Cunningham Photo Service in D Dorothy Jean McGraw aged 90 passed from this world on June 30, 2021. She spent her final days with family and loved ones. Born to Robert And Viola Mae McGraw in 1931, Dorothy hit the ground running and her life's journey was always an active one. As one of eleven children Dorothy learned the Tipu Sultan, George Washington The Mysorean Rocket was Tipu Sultan's invention. He also invented the Torpedo, known as Bangalore Torpedo, which is considered the precursor for American rockets that went to the Moon. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal Declaration of our Independence on July 4, 1776: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar also made an immortal declaration about India's Preamble on January 22, 1947: "It was, indeed, a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality, and fraternity as the principles of life and which cannot be divorced from each other: Liberty cannot be divorced from equality; equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things." Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution says that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one's own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures, or any other mode. Had Mir Sadiq not betrayed Tipu Sultan, India would have achieved her freedom in 1799, right behind America in 1776 The above declarations resonate with Muslims as well. Prophet Muhamad (pbuh) made a similar announcement on March 6, 632 AD, Eleven hundred forty-four (1144) years before Jefferson's declaration. "All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action." When Mahatma Gandhi was seeking Independence from the British, Churchill had said nasty things about Indians. He did not believe Indians can handle democracy, and they have proven him wrong repeatedly. Indians are inherently democratic in their views. Until 2014, India was a stable democracy and was on track to become a great nation as a non-aligned leader. However, India is going through a turbulent time now, and we pray for her recovery. Prime Minister Modi has failed the Indians on the economy, social cohesion, human rights, and democracy, his ratings have dwindled to 22% , and may be voted out in the 2024 elections. Indians believe in freedom, and fascism is anathema to them. Indian democracy is resilient. India and the United States will continue to have a strong relationship to bring peace and security to the world. Indian Americans, and Muslim Americans, we uphold, protect, defend, and celebrate the values enshrined in the U.S. constitution. We believe in the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all." --- *Founder-president of the Center for Pluralism, Washington DC Both India and America have identical Human Rights the right to equality, right to freedom, rights against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, and constitutional remedies. Indeed, the objectives stated by the Preamble are to secure justice, liberty, equality for all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain unity and integrity of the nation.The above declarations resonate with Muslims as well. Prophet Muhamad (pbuh) made a similar announcement on March 6, 632 AD, Eleven hundred forty-four (1144) years before Jefferson's declaration. "All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action."When Mahatma Gandhi was seeking Independence from the British, Churchill had said nasty things about Indians. He did not believe Indians can handle democracy, and they have proven him wrong repeatedly. Indians are inherently democratic in their views.Until 2014, India was a stable democracy and was on track to become a great nation as a non-aligned leader. However, India is going through a turbulent time now, and we pray for her recovery. Prime Minister Modi has failed the Indians on the economy, social cohesion, human rights, and democracy, his ratings have dwindled to 22% , and may be voted out in the 2024 elections. Indians believe in freedom, and fascism is anathema to them. Indian democracy is resilient.India and the United States will continue to have a strong relationship to bring peace and security to the world. Indian Americans, and Muslim Americans, we uphold, protect, defend, and celebrate the values enshrined in the U.S. constitution. We believe in the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all."--- "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", said the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States. July 4 bonds the United States with India and Muslims. Indeed, India is a part of the American heritage from the very beginning. Upon declaration of our Independence on July 4, 1776, one of the first three heads of the states who recognized the sovereignty of the United States was Nederland, Morocco, and the kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka), India.Morocco was the first country to recognize the Independence of the United States of America and signed the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship, the first of its kind. Friesland, one of the seven United Provinces of the Dutch Republic were the next to recognize, and Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore State, was the third.Today, we celebrate our Independence and democracy. Indians and Americans have a shared heritage. America is the oldest democracy in the world, and India is the largest democracy.Both George Washington and Tipu Sultan fought our common enemy Lord Cornwallis Washington chased him out of America, and Tipu Sultan defeated him in one of three wars but lost to him in the 4th war of Mysore. Cornwallis bribed Tipu's confidant Mir Sadiq to get information about Tipu's whereabouts and hit him from the back. Had Mir Sadiq not betrayed Tipu Sultan, India would have achieved her freedom in 1799, right behind America in 1776.Tipu Sultan also sent a congratulatory message to George Washington, which I believe is in the National Library of France. Both George Washington and Tipu Sultan died in the same year, 1799, Washington on December 14, and Sultan on May 4.Dr. Chik Range Gowda, an authority on Tipu Sultan in Bangalore, whom I met several times, believes that Tipu Sultan funded George Washington's Army, however, it is not verified yet.Dr Gowda also presented me with a brass bust of Tipu Sultan made on the Bi-centenary of the Tipu's death in 1999, and is one of my cherished possessions. I had let go of many of my collections to choose to live a minimalist life, but I have kept Tipu's bust. So, I may have to present this to the Smithsonian to preserve it. These days, UFOs are a mainstream hot topic, largely because you can't turn on the news without some government official lunging at the camera and screaming "there's something up there!" This sudden shift in position is all the more remarkable because saying you believed in UFOs used to be roughly the equivalent of yelling "the lizard people are making me do this" while loudly soiling yourself on a crosstown bus. But just how did we get to that point in the first place? Well, just like everything else in America, the crazier side of UFOlogy traces almost entirely back to one half-assed scammer who accidentally changed the world while trying to make a quick buck. 5 It All Started With George Adamski's Alien Buddies The modern UFO craze actually started in 1947, when a pilot named Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine unidentified objects flying at great speed past Mount Rainier. His report quickly became a media sensation, but despite all the buzz, Arnold was a credible, serious guy who just saw something he couldn't explain. Unfortunately, his story was quickly one-upped by a cafe owner named George Adamski, who reported seeing no less than 184 unidentified objects doing loop-de-loops over Mount Palomar. This aerial display was somehow missed by the major observatory also located on Mount Palomar. Those guys must have been kicking themselves! Tylerfinvold/Wiki Commons They felt like kicking someone all right. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Adamski's early sightings were widely reported, even though he was fairly clearly ripping off Arnold for attention. This extended to describing the objects as "flying saucers," something which Arnold technically never even said. In an early interview, Arnold had described the objects as moving like a saucer "if you skip it across the water." He was very annoyed when multiple outlets took this to mean the objects were saucer-shaped, and actually did a high-profile interview with Edward R. Murrow to insist that they weren't. But the image of flying saucers had taken hold in popular culture and Adamski took it and ran with it like a scammer Usain Bolt. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Over the next few years, Adamski reported so many UFO sightings that he probably should have filed for a restraining order on them. But Adamski wasn't content to play second fiddle to Arnold for long. In 1952, he was wandering through a conveniently isolated patch of desert when he bumped into an alien named Orthon, who was happy to stop for a chat. Using a combination of telepathy and hand signals, Orthon explained that he was from the planet Venus and had come to Earth with a message of peace and friendship. He also warned Adamski of the dangers of nuclear bombs, although what he expected a cafe owner to do about this remains unclear. He actually illustrated the point by waving his arms and shouting "Boom! Boom!" so it's possible that Adamski wasn't dealing with the brightest tool in the intergalactic shed. Cosmo Gandi "Boom booms bad bro! Are you getting any of this? No? Okay, how do I mime a nuke?" Continue Reading Below Advertisement Orthon helpfully allowed Adamski to snap a few photos of his flying saucer, although he asked to borrow one of the negatives. Like any good friend he returned the negative a few days later, when an "iridescent, glasslike" craft pulled up outside Adamski's cafe. A porthole cracked open and a hand tossed the negative out (it bounced off a rock, denting the case) before zooming away. And we are just so fascinated to learn that the best way to transport an object from an intergalactic spaceship to the ground is to wind down the window and yeet it like an unwanted soda can. Seriously, why do we have hundreds of movies dealing with alien invasions and not one about the clearly much bigger problem of alien littering. Leslie Cunningham Haynes, "Les," passed away July 6, 2021. Les was born in Birmingham, AL. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughters and sons, Helen (Joel) Megginson, Beth Nabors, Michael Haynes and Ryan Jones-Haynes; grandchildr WESTBROOK Bacari Social, a new waterfront eatery, is considered by its growing list of regular patrons as a bit of a hidden treasure at Safe Harbor Pilots Point Marina. Tucked along the dock, patrons are advised to call when they arrive to pass through the private marinas electronic gate, driving by an 80-foot sailing yacht on dry land, to reach the restaurant. In the parking lot, its hard to miss the view. Sleek sailing vessels and fishing boats with flying bridges sparkle in the sun and bob on the Patchogue River. Halyards chime in a light breeze. You drive five miles down the road, but youre on vacation 100 miles away, said Jake Mastrioianni, who co-manages the bistro. Jeff Mastrioianni, his wife Shelley, son Jake Mastrioianni and cousin Angela Giordano with the help of staff members developed the restaurants concept. The intimate restaurant, which seats 95 with deck-side seating on the water, is the buildings latest incarnation. The spot had been home to several restaurants over the years, including most recently, Livs Oyster Shack, and before that, Boom, which closed in 2019. Prior to Boom, there was Gourmet Galley, known as just a little shack, which was open in the 1990s, according to marina General Manager Bob Wigham. Inside, nautical ropes are knotted on ships cleats, anchoring cushions for cozy, banquette seating. Blue upholstered chairs, wood flooring the color of driftwood, and a wooden Lawton Tender on display add to the waterside feel, but with a modern, industrial vibe from the corrugated metal-sided bar to the minimalist lighting fixtures. The name Bicari is Italian Venetian, to be exact, recalling little bistros and wine bars that serve small plates, according to co-manager Giordano. The offerings are authentic Italian, locally sourced seafood and sophisticated cocktails from a bartender who honed his mixology chops in New York. Many of the cocktails are his own interpretations of classics, with handmade organic herbal infusions and syrups. Featured on the menu are homemade pastas, crostini, pane cotto, and homestyle eggplant Parmesan. All breads are baked each morning. And the burgers are made with meat from tender short beef ribs. And then theres Grandmas Love by Chocolate Cake on the dessert menu, a recipe passed down to the head chef Jay Taylor. Another grandmother had her hand in as well. The Mastrioianni matriarch, Meme, signed off on all the Italian dishes. Taylor, who grew up in Westbrook, came full circle in his career here. He worked in this spot as a dishwasher when he was 15, more than 20 years ago when it was Gourmet Galley. These are the same beams I was doing dishes under. Its awesome. If you really work hard you can go from dishwasher to head chef, Taylor said. The pull of the place is akin to coming home for Taylor. I used to fish on these docks, I used to crab on these docks and swim in these waters, he said. The raw bar oyster shucker is a woman who learned the art from her grandfather. She shucked up to 90 oysters one night, Taylor said. His 15-year-old daughter is busing tables, and he has hopes for her to train as a pastry girl, alongside another local teenager. Taylor is also working with other top chefs from the area two are from the renown Cafe Routier, also in Westbrook. The team, led by Jeff Mastrioianni, who created the award-winning Chow Food and Beverage Company in Clinton, has loads of restaurant experience. In fact, Wigham, a long-time fan of Chow, asked Jeff Mastrioianni to take over the shuttered restaurant. Another Chow regular and boater from the marina, Shawn Silver, whose boat, Silver Lining, is moored here, is among the frequent patrons. Their bolognese sauce is as good as homemade. My wife is 100 percent Italian and she wouldnt eat it anywhere else. When someone who only eats their own family recipe thats impressive, Silver said. While trendy, the cafe is not formal, and the staff learned much from patrons of the former establishments many who came from the marina and wanted to feel comfortable dressed in their boating attire flip flops and bathing suits are welcome. The crew said they came together in April and opened in early June, noting it is unusual for a restaurant startup to go so smoothly. Everyone came together at the right time, Mastrioianni said. Many have worked together at other local restaurants before this venture. Life brought us all back together for this, which is a crazy coincidence, Giordano said. Bacari Social is located at 63 Pilots Point Drive, Westbrook. For information, call 860-391-8508, email info@bacarisocial.com or visit bacarisocial.com. CultNews101.com: news, links, resources. Cults101.org: resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics. CultMediation.com: offers resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved ones cult involvement. Intervention101.com: to help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement. CultRecovery101.com: assists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on currypilot.com. The Curry Coastal Pilot's E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) * Username This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Choose wisely! * First name * Last name Your real name will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more! * Email Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else. * Password Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Mid-Hudson Communities plan Independence Day parades, fireworks Happy Fourth of July! Here's where to celebrate around the Mid-Hudson Valley Since 1990, Patricia R. Doxsey has been a reporter for the Freeman, covering politics, crime, and government affairs. The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Apr 12, 1969 - Jul 3, 2021 Brenda Lea Deem, 52, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. Brenda was born on April 12, 1969 in Ashland, Kentucky to the late William "Bill" and Betty Jo Adkins of Flatwoods, KY. Sunbury, PA (17801) Today Cloudy early with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High near 85F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. @ChescoCourtNews on Twitter Michael P. Rellahan has been a staff reporter and editor at the Daily Local News since 1982. He has covered all kinds of news over the years but is now assigned to report on court and legal news, as well as Chester County government news and politics. Some of the UK's top chefs and restaurants are falling victim to cyber attacks with many having their Instagram accounts - that have been years in the making - hacked and destroyed, causing them to lose out on key business. Aktar Islam, who won Great British Menu in 2011 and Gordon Ramsay's The F Word the year before had his Instagram hacked earlier this year, he lost 60 per cent of his follower and a 'huge chunk' of revenue. Meanwhile Mursal Saiq, who runs cult barbecue restaurant Cue Point in west London has revealed she's been flooded with fake Google reviews after threatened by an angry customer - with both platforms not taking action. Jeremy Lee, who runs Quo Vadis in Soho, MasterChef winner Shelina Permalloo and food writer Valentine Warner have all publicly spoken about losing control of their Instagrams in recent months, while Tom Heaney of Heaney's Cardiff told FEMAIL he lost 'thousands' after his Instagram was hacked, which he said 'absolutely gutting'. Elsewhere, Brad Carter - who runs the Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley in Birmingham - also lost control of his Instagram for five months. He said Instagram is a 'key tool' in modern food businesses, and being without it can be detrimental to restaurants, who have faced a catastrophic year after continuous lockdowns. The chefs have slammed Instagram and other big tech companies for not being able to help them. An Instagram spokesperson told FEMAIL: 'We take account security seriously and we encourage everyone to create a strong password, enable two factor authentication and to be suspicious of emails or messages asking for personal details. 'Official messages about account security will only be sent to your email address, not through DM or Messenger, and you can check what emails weve sent you recently by looking in the security settings of your Instagram app'. Aktar Islam: 'I lost tens of thousands of followers and key business, all my posts started to disappear' Aktar Islam, who won Great British Menu in 2011 and Gordon Ramsay's The F Word the year before had his Instagram hacked earlier this year. He is pictured on MasterChef Aktar Islam runs the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Opheem in Birmingham as well as Argentinean steakhouse Pulperia. He built up a following of tens of thousands and saved hundreds of jobs after setting up an 'at home' business, when lockdown forced him to close his restaurants last year. Much of the business came through Instagram, with people regularly scrolling to discover photos of the delicious meals. Speaking to FEMAIL, Aktar said: 'I tried to log into my Instagram through my phone one afternoon, bizarrely it wouldn't let me log into my account and it kept saying the password was incorrect,' Aktar formerly went by aktar_islam (bottom), but this account was deleted making him create @aktarislam_ 'Unbeknown to myself I was being hacked. I tried to reset my password, but the security details had been changed to almost the exact same email, just now with an extra letter. I was notified of this in the evening, that's when I lost total control of my account'. He added that in total he lost around 60 per cent of his followers, which was a 'big chunk' of revenue as a result. 'It was quite surreal, all my posts started to disappear, as did my followers and people I follow. 'The handle was there but I had no access, I didn't know what was going to happen next. 'My account was mainly used for business and I had tens of thousands of followers which I built organically over the years. 'It was my Instagram account that helped build Aktar at Home, an initiative that kept over 100 staff in work during lockdown and enabled the team and I to support the local and charities throughout the pandemic. Aktar Islam runs the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Opheem in Birmingham as well as Argentinean steakhouse Pulperia. He built up a following of tens of thousands and saved hundreds of jobs after setting up an 'at home' business, when lockdown forced him to close his restaurants last year. Much of the business came through Instagram, with people regularly scrolling to discover photos of the delicious meals. 'My platform was the main marketing tool and it worked - we are currently recruiting from the inner city, from areas that have high unemployment levels, aiming to help some of the city's disadvantaged people into work. 'My personal account has been my main point of contact for the industry, I get regularly get contacted by people looking for employment. 'It's a powerful part of our business and how I connect with customers. We've been quite lucky as my restaurants (Opheem and Pulperia) have their own Instagram accounts, but the timing was terrible. 'We had been shut for a long time due to the pandemic and we're gearing up for re-opening. In April, Aktar set up a new Instagram after his was hacked by 'scumbags'. He has much fewer followers now than before 'From a personal standpoint, I've been with Instagram since 2013 and have lost a lot of memories. 'The most alarming thing for me was the poor response from Instagram, there really is little to no support. 'This is a common issue affecting a lot of people, it's people's livelihoods on the line. 'We pay our way with Instagram, a lot of money is spent on advertising, but when it comes to a serious issue you can't even speak to anyone. 'The no support is quite scary. Tommy Heaney: 'I lost thousands, it was absolutely gutting and Instagram were 'little help' Tommy Heaney runs Heaneys Cardiff, a restaurant with a Michelin Plate and that recognised by the red book as 'modern and pared-back in style'. He told FEMAIL he lost 'thousands of followers' after his Instagram was hacked, which he described as 'absolutely gutting'. He added the social media platform were 'little help' in getting business back. 'My other half came to me at the end of service to say that we had received a message from Instagram and had a violation on our account, they said our restaurant's account would be deleted within 48 hours if we didn't respond,' he said. Tommy Heaney runs Heaneys Cardiff, a restaurant with a Michelin Plate and that recognised by the red book as 'modern and pared-back in style'. 'Within minutes of her filling out the form they changed the profile picture, name, and there was absolutely no way of accessing anything. 'I reported the attack and received little help, I ended up starting again from scratch and trying to build our followers up to what they were - we lost thousands. 'Two weeks later I found an email from Instagram in my junk mail written in Turkish, the email had a code that I figured I could use to re-set the password on my account. 'I managed to get the email address back and the account, but it was a complete fluke. 'We were really lucky, but the timing was really bad as business was a bit pear shaped due to not being able to open. 'The last thing you need is something like this happening, it was absolutely gutting. Brad Carter: 'The app changed in front of my eyes. I didn't have access for five months' Self-taught Brad Carter of Carters of Moseley also saw his Instagram hacked. The Michelin-starred chef, who is known for serving attractive dishes that blend modern and classic techniques, was without his account for more than five months, which meant he lost out on key business. He added that 'Instagram is so important' for food businesses these days - and being without it was a 'real concern'. 'On 1st January this year I was cleaning up the restaurant's Instagram, archiving old posts and editing story highlights,' he told FEMAIL. Self-taught Brad Carter of Carters of Moseley also saw his Instagram hacked. The Michelin-starred chef, who is known for serving attractive dishes that blend modern and classic techniques, was without his account for more than five months, which meant he lost out on key business. 'Suddenly the app changed and I couldn't scroll properly, it felt like it was being controlled by someone else. 'I received a notification saying someone was trying to log-in from another address and I was logged out. I tried to get back in but I couldn't. 'I think the main issue was the fact that the number tied to the account was our restaurant's landline so the codes you receive via text, that help you verify yourself, wouldn't come through. 'After two months of messaging Instagram through my personal account, I heard back from them and they sent me a code. 'They asked me to write it down on a piece of paper and hold it up against the restaurant which we did but it didn't help us. 'It's been quite challenging not being able to communicate our business on social media for five months, especially when we need the support from our customers more than ever due to the pandemic. 'Instagram is so important in this day and age and we've worked hard to build out 18k followers. 'I'm excited to say that we had a breakthrough recently though and we are back into the account'. Bella Green is a sex worker who started working in the industry for the glamour and taboo. Instead, she found her place in a surprisingly mundane and often entertaining world where the hierarchy is strict, the names are fake and spare towels always come in handy. In her new memoir, Happy Endings, Bella - who grew up in Perth and now lives in Melbourne - describes her journey through brothels, peep shows and dominatrix dungeons. The successful stand-up comedian also details the hardships in her life - from growing up in a broken family, to getting kicked out of home at 16, battling crippling depression and manic highs, her love and lust with both female and male partners, and finally finding where she was 'exactly meant to be' on stage, telling jokes. In her book Happy Endings, Bella Green, pictured when she was a child, said she always knew she was different to other kids The following is an edited extract from Happy Endings by Bella Green (Macmillan Australia, RRP $34.99) I've always been a Sunday afternoon hooker in Melbourne. The kind of men who seek intimacy with a stranger at 4 pm on a Sunday are made for me divorced dads, IT nerds, international students. Theres something about lonely people I just seem to connect with. In Sydney, I'm a Sunday night hooker. The kind of guy who goes out to party with the boys on a Saturday night is not my usual client, but the guy who's still doing drugs by himself on a Sunday night is. I can always identify with someone who wants to get high at an irresponsible hour. Matt booked me in the early hours of Monday morning at Casanovas, my go-to brothel for whenever I wanted to get out of Melbourne for a week and go and make some real Sydney money. He was ratty but beautiful, the kind of guy who probably got whatever he wanted until he'd ravaged his face and body with ice. Bella, who is now a successful stand-up comedian, has also worked as a sandwich hand, in various call rooms, studied to become a paramedic, and started an Arts degree Matt had four kids, he told me. 'You got a man?' he asked. 'No,' I said. I've got a woman, I didn't say. I never tell them my truths. I have a series of half-truths, and then some complete fabrications. How old am I? Twenty-seven in Melbourne, twenty-four in Sydney. My real name? I dont normally tell guys, but you seem special, so it's Stephanie. Where do I live? Richmond. I have the postcode tattooed on my wrist, see? I don't tell them I moved northside ten years ago. I learnt early on never to trust clients. When you give a sh***y client an inch and he takes a mile, you feel like an idiot. When you feel like you've genuinely connected and share something personal and then they break that trust, it shakes the foundations of your instincts. Trusting no-one is the only way to be safe. Bella decided to start working in brothels after she grew tired of being a dominatrix mistress Bella says she has always found being sexually desirable as completely 'intoxicating' Matt and I extended for another hour every time the buzzer went off, me dialling down to reception and telling them to charge him another $300. 'I've got a girlfriend on the side,' he said. 'Well, I did. She got crazy and I had to end it. I told her it was over and she went psycho. My own dumb f**king fault for telling her in the car.' He pulled out his phone and started googling a news article. He showed it to me. It's the kind of story I'd normally write off as fiction but there it was in the SMH, complete with photos of the wreck. Matt and I talked for hours. A brothel room feels disconnected from the rest of the world, like a space that doesn't exist. You're with someone you'll probably never see again. There's no windows, no clocks, no daylight. You lose all concept of day and night. Leaving feels like walking out of a movie theatre and being surprised that it's dark outside. Sometimes I'd finish my shift and walk past the only window in the building, a small one that led to a smoking area, and be shocked by the morning sun streaming in. In this little room, this vacuum, Matt and I had the kind of connection you can only have with a stranger you'd normally have nothing to say to but you're both incredibly high. But we did have something in common. In her book, Bella describes the glaring differences between sex workers and brothels in Sydney and Melbourne We didnt end up f**king until the last half-hour. It was actually pretty good, f**king on ice with this raggedy man I felt a connection with. At 7 am, the buzzer went off again and he got ready to leave. 'I've gotta take my kids to school and then Ive got court at 9 am.' He started putting his clothes on. 'Can I have your number?' he asked. Matt was kind of crossing the line here. I saw my first glimpse of a red flag, him sticking a toe out of the boundaries, and I wanted to say no but we'd had such a good night and I didn't want to sour it. What the hell, I thought. I'll give him my work number and he'll go to jail or possibly kill himself by the sound of things. He texted me about thirty minutes after he left. Bella, who was academically gifted at school, says she's never been able to stand working in 9-5 jobs that require constant commitment and early starts The next night, I dragged my strung-out, sleep-deprived ass back on to the overnight shift. At 1.11 am, I got a text from Matt. It simply said '1.11.' At 2.22, I received another text. It said '2.22.' At 4.44 am, I received another: '4.44.' I had some questions. Wasn't he supposed to be in jail? Was he in jail with a contraband phone? Was he using that phone to text the time to a hooker he met yesterday? And most importantly, was I a special hooker or was I just on some bulk mailing list? I didn't reply but the time texts kept on coming. I spent the last few nights I was in Sydney walking around nervously, wondering if he'd come back and what the hell it all meant. I became just like every other paranoid b**ch at Casanovas. The doorbell would ring and I'd push girls out of the way to get to the camera first. I'd interrogate them on the way out of the intro room. 'What nash is he?' I'd ask. 'Is he a skinny white guy who's been hitting the pipe?' I didn't see him again on that trip, but even when I was back in Melbourne, I got the time texted to me most days, multiple times a day. I'd get four a day, then I'd get two, then I'd get nothing for a few days, then it would start again. I imagined him sitting there with his phone, feverishly waiting for the time to flick over from 5.54 to 5.55. Sometimes he got the time wrong sometimes just a little, like when he sent '2.22' at 2.23. Easy mistake. Other times, they'd be way off '2.22' at 11.44 am, then '4.44' also at 11.44 am, then back to '12.12' at 12.13 pm and '11.11' at 11.13 pm and '11.11' again a minute later. 'Do you think it's some kind of code?' I asked my friend Charlotte, scrolling through screen after screen of texts. 'He needs a good night's sleep, is what I think,' she said. Bella said having tattoos and piercings made her popular at a Sydney brothel that was filled with 'Ariana Grande and Kendall Jenner lookalikes' He stopped texting on 23 December and I thought it was all over, but then he started up again on 3 January, so I guess he'd just taken some time off over Christmas. On 5 January I got three different texts, all at 2.23 pm: '10.10', followed by 'hi how are you?' followed by '11.11'. 'Hi how are you?!' I screamed. 'Just a personal touch, I guess,' said Charlotte. Another text came through a minute later: '4.44'. And then after three months and ninety-six text messages, it just stopped. A few days went by, then a few weeks, then a few months. Bella is now a successful stand-up comedian who talks about her life as sex worker in her sold-out shows I looked through court records, I looked through death records. I went back and looked for news stories he'd shown me, the car crash and the sex offender, but I couldn't find a trace. I kept watch for him at the brothel but he never showed. Its been over four years now and all I have is that Facebook page. I check back every now and then, but the profile picture and the cover picture never change. There's proof he existed, but he feels like a fever dream. I've never had another client like Matt. I imagine he's somewhere outside of time and space a movie theatre, a prison cell, the afterlife holding on to the darkest parts of my life while I hold on to his. Happy Endings by Bella Green. Published by Pan Macmillan Australia ($34.99) A marketing manager whose skincare brand turned over $50,000 in its first 20 days of trading is on track to own a million-dollar business by the end of 2021. Katie Eales, 26, launched Sabbia Co almost two years ago in September 2019 with an investment of just $5,000 to cover stock, website and advertising. The businesswoman from Port Douglas, started with Australian-made masks, serums and kits of reusable sponges which promise to 'cleanse, exfoliate and remove makeup' with nothing but water - and they haven't stopped selling out. Ms Eales recently expanded into cosmetics, with a $65.99 mineral BB cream released in June earning her almost $16,500 in the space of two hours after dropping online. Scroll down for video Queensland marketing manager Katie Eales (right with fiance Dave) is on track to own a million dollar business by the end of 2021 Sales of the $49.99 Matcha Clay Mask (pictured) made Ms Eales almost $50,000 in 20 days Ms Eales recently expanded into cosmetics, with a $65.99 mineral BB cream (pictured) released in June earning her almost $16,500 in the space of two hours after dropping online Made and packaged in labs in Newcastle, Burleigh Heads and the Gold Coast, Sabbia products boast hundreds of five-star customer reviews with many saying they have given them the confidence to go makeup-free for the first time in their lives. 'This BB cream makes me feel confident during the day without having to apply makeup,' one woman wrote. She added: 'I've wanted for so long to not have to wear makeup daily but still feel confident and glowy. Great for dry skin, nice natural glow and it feels like you're not wearing anything without drying you out. Very impressed!' Another said she has never used a cleanser that works as well as Sabbia's $59.99 'Glow Cleanser'. 'Not only does my skin feel fresh after washing, but my skin glows and my blemishes heal so fast,' she added. Ms Eales previously told Daily Mail Australia she was inspired to create sustainable skincare after seeing the devastation of single-use face wipes littered across beaches while travelling in Sri Lanka. The brand's charcoal sponges and pads (pictured) promise to 'cleanse, exfoliate and remove makeup' with nothing but water The difference in a customer's skin after just a few weeks of using the clay face mask is astonishing Katie Eales' top four tips for building a million-dollar business Ms Eales told Daily Mail Australia there are four things she wishes she could tell her younger self about running a business. 1. Learn to delegate Ms Eales said she now knows she can't take on all every responsibility without burning out. To avoid this, she said she hired a wholesale manager as well as a couple of marketing and warehouse staff. She also outsources administration work to free up time for her to focus on product development and natural alternatives. 2. Stock planning Ms Eales said she has come to realise that you must always be conscious of what you have - and have not - got in stock. 'Our Matcha Clay Mask sold out so many times while we were trying to find the balance between product and demand,' she said. Ms Eales said she has also learned to set aside savings to invest in stock, after her latest launch set her back almost six figures. 'All our skincare ingredients are sustainably sourced in Australia and 90 percent of them are organic instead of cutting costs by using overseas ingredients,' she said. 'This commitment to sustainability means that our overheads increase by over 300 percent.' 3. Commitment to your mission Ms Eales has learned that choosing sustainable ingredients, packaging and partners is a costly business. She now knows being sustainable makes stock more expensive than generic products, and said she has taught herself to budget for this accordingly. 'For example we use recycled cardboard instead of normal cardboard for all of our boxes, glass bottles instead of plastic packaging, compostable mailers instead of plastic mailers and so on,' she explained. 4. Nobody knows your product like you The final lesson Ms Eales would like to teach her younger self is that 'nobody knows your product like you and nobody loves your product like your customers'. 'In 2021, we changed our marketing strategy to focus on our 'real people with real results' campaign, where we feature and share stories of our customers and their skincare journey,' she said. 'We also work with a number of ambassadors who have seen incredible results in their skin since switching to Sabbia Co.' To do this, Ms Eales said she has taken the money she initially invested into influencer marketing and put it towards creating educational tutorials instead. 'They generate a higher return, and with that return we have started investing in wellness events for our local and online community,' she said. Advertisement Ms Eales' new $65.99 BB cream (pictured) launched just one week ago but it already boasts a string of five-star reviews She attributes the meteoric success of her brand to the use of native Australian ingredients that nourish skin without chemicals and following the manta 'less is more'. 'Skinimalism [skin minimalism] is the movement of 2021 and it's the driving factor behind what we do and how effective our products are,' Ms Eales said. 'The more you put on confused skin the harder it is for the skin and body to eliminate inflammation and heal,' she added of the ingredients used in her best-selling face mask. These include organic Tasmanian kelp extract, packed full of antioxidant vitamins A, B, C and E along with minerals such as calcium and zinc, which plump skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The mask, which comes in a powder form that becomes a paste when mixed with water, promises to balance moisture in the skin while deeply cleansing bacteria to reduce the risk of breakouts. It is designed to be used two to three times a week and left on the face, neck and decolletage for five to 10 minutes before being rinsed off with warm water. Reviews stand testament to the benefits of the mask, with one woman declaring she 'never wants to live without it'. Katie Eales and her fiance Dave (pictured) launched a skincare brand after seeing piles of single-use face wipes strewn across beaches in Sri Lanka Their best-selling face mask (pictured) promises to balance moisture in the skin while deeply cleansing bacteria to reduce the risk of breakouts Key ingredients used in Sabbia Co skincare products * Finger lime: Sourced from a delicate rainforest tree native to the Northern Rivers region of NSW, finger lime helps to heal acne, premature skin ageing caused by sun exposure, psoriasis, rosacea and skin pigmentation. * Seaweed collagen: This 100 percent vegan collagen is clinically proven to increase skin elasticity by up to 30 percent in two weeks. Promotes elasticity, moisturises and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. * Davidson plum: Behaves like an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) and has the ability to strengthen skin, reduce redness and clear pore blockages for a brighter complexion. * White willow bark: Known as nature's version of salicylic acid, white willow bark removes dead skin cells, clears pores and has excellent anti-inflammatory properties to reveal a radiant, clearer complexion. * Kakadu Plum: The world's richest source of Vitamin C, Kakadu plum contains antibacterial properties that calm irritated skin while strengthening the outer barrier. * Calendula: Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Calendula soothes and calms skin with its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Advertisement Ms Eales says the combination of tools and gentle skincare products have cleared stubborn acne, eczema and dermatitis for hundreds of Australians who have spent thousands searching for solutions to their skin issues. Others raved about the $79.99 'Collagen C' serum, which promises to brighten skin and strengthen its barrier function. 'The collagen C serum does a fantastic job of preventing oily break outs whilst maintaining hydrated and glowing skin. [My skin] feels super soft again, love it,' one woman wrote. Ms Eales says Sabbia simply does skincare differently to competitors. 'We educate our customers on the benefit and impact the choices they make, which allows them to make educated choices on what is better for their skin, their health and our planet,' she said. Customers say Sabbia's new BB cream (pictured) has made their skin look more radiant than it ever has before Customer photos show the results of the clay face mask, which promises to cures acne and chronic skin conditions True to her word, Ms Eales' company has made a big difference in a small space of time. In just over one year, Sabbia has stopped a staggering 13 million single-use makeup wipes from being thrown into landfill with sales of its reusable cleansing pads and sponges. Ms Eales is just one of many young entrepreneurs cashing in on the lucrative organic beauty market, which is projected to be worth $25.11billion by 2025, estimates from market analysts Acme Hardesty reveal. 'I do believe we are an upcoming leader in the movement towards skinimalism and luxury sustainable skincare that's for everyone, men and women,' she said. Plans are in place for further expansion, with a cleanser, face oil, two serums and another face mask already in the testing phase. Ms Eales said she is also trialling a set of edible beauty products which she hopes to launch early next year. A health inspector has revealed how customers can spot whether a restaurant has broken hygiene rules, and how she identifies the outlets she would never eat in. The professional from New South Wales, who goes by the name 'SemyKitten' on TikTok, said there is a record of all health and safety breaches that anyone can quickly and easily access before eating out. 'I'm a health inspector. I inspect every single place that sells food from supermarkets to food shops,' the woman said in a recent TikTok clip. Scroll down for video A health inspector (pictured) has revealed how you can spot whether a restaurant has broken hygiene rules, and how she identifies the outlets she would never eat in 'When one of these foods shops fail, I issue them with a penalty notice. 'Every time a penalty notice is issued by a health inspector, it goes on a database - which can be accessed by the general public. I'll show you how.' To access the database in New South Wales, the health inspector said you should Google the Food Authority website and go to the 'Name and Shame' section. The section shows where the penalty notices have been issued, weekly updates and prosecutions. The professional from New South Wales (pictured), said there is a record of all health and safety breaches that anyone can quickly and easily access before eating out The health inspector highlighted that the 'prosecutions' section highlights the outlets that are 'really endangering public health'. The website allows users to search for a specific business, suburb, postcode or council area to see what has been going on. 'Believe me when I tell you that health inspectors do not penalise lightly,' the woman added. 'Treat this as a survival hack.' New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia all have their own form of a food offenders list, but Queensland, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not. The Food Authority website allows users to search for a specific business, suburb, postcode or council area to see what has been going on (pictured) More than three million people who saw the health inspector's clip said they were shocked and had no idea you could find this out about a business. 'Thank you so much for this information,' one commenter posted. 'I went on the website, thank you so much for sharing this,' another added. A third wrote: 'Phew! My local area is safe!', while another said they show this list to their hospitality class every single year as a warning. She made headlines after releasing her racy new book, Ruthless Women, which has become one of the most talked about novels of the year. But celebrity agent Melanie Blake says 'the knives are now out' after angry celebs have been blowing up her inbox as the nation tries to guess who the sexed-up characters in her new work are. The author said that her novel is based on much of the scandal she's been forced to cover up throughout her 20-year career. 'You should see some of my messages,' she said, as reported by The Mirror, 'Put it this way, the knives are out!' Melanie Blake says 'the knives are out' after angry celebs have been blowing up her inbox as the nation tries to guess who the sexed-up characters in her new work are The plot focuses on a cast trying to survive the reboot of soap opera Falcon Bay, and although the book is technically fiction, Melanie said she has 'lived and breathed' every scene. She said: 'Tragedy, bankruptcy, attempted suicides, criminal dealings as an agent you see all that drama all the time. What goes on off-screen in real life is way juicer than anything that is ever aired, and that's what I used to inspire the novel's plot. They say write about what you know, so I did.' In the book, the agent has to keep her clients under control, and having represented actresses like Stephanie Beacham, Gillian Taylforth, Patsy Kensit, Claire King and Beverley Callard during her career, it is no surprise Melanie know's what she's talking about. But the writer, who has now sold more than 100,000 copies in the UK, is keeping her cards close to her chest on the identity of those sending her messages. The author said that her novel is based on much of the scandal she's been forced to cover up throughout her 20-year career as a celebrity agent She said: 'Oh I can't name names, but I'm not going to deny I based some of the more vile characters on women I didn't enjoy my time looking after. They are the ones now blowing up my inbox with rage, but I just laugh. Let's call it karma!' Melanie has insisted that her racy new novel based on her experiences working as a celebrity agent is 'absolutely true.' Melanie added that she's staying tight-lipped on most of the stars who were the inspiration for characters in her fictional book, which focuses on a soap star in decline thanks to a vengeful TV executive from her past. In a new interview with The Sun, Melanie said: 'The things in the book are absolutely real. I've done so many things to protect stars that would shock viewers. 'I've had clients on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, all over British soaps, and the stuff that I've covered up for them... I write about the things which I know about. Those characters are all alive. 'Drink, drugs, sex, it's all there, and some unbelievable nastiness, which comes with the industry.' Melanie said she's staying tight-lipped on most of the stars who were the inspiration for characters in her fictional book Ruthless Women focuses on a soap star in her seventies, who sees her career decline drastically after a new TV boss demands revenge for a previous dispute, with characters becoming embroiled in sordid affairs and feuds. While Melanie did not directly name any of the stars who were involved in the scandals that inspired her book, she said she has been supported by many former clients looking to speak about their experiences working in the industry. The author began working as a junior runner on Top Of The Pops before landing herself a job as an extra on soaps, and after three years of television work got a trial stint as an agent for Emmerdale's Claire King. Melanie said she impressed Claire by bargaining to get her a magazine deal, and within weeks was signed by a slew of other stars including Coronation Street's Beverley Callard, with whom she remains close friends. But despite close unions with stars, Melanie admitted she wasn't best friends with all her clients, and was even contacted during her mother's funeral to handle an issue caused by an actor. Despite progression in representation thanks to the #MeToo movement, Melanie said she stills feels that older women in particular face even more challenges in the soap industry. Advertisement Despite a busy week of engagements in Scotland and grey skies above, the Queen looked on sprightly form as she visited Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday morning - her fourth visit in as many days. The Monarch, 95, known for her life-long love of horses, was spotted strolling around the event wearing a large overcoat, emerald headscarf and sunglasses. It's just days since she returned from Scotland, after spending time with Prince William, 38, and Princess Anne, 70, on a series of engagements north of the border. Today marks the annual horse show's final day since it opened on Thursday; it was delayed last year due to the pandemic. The Queen, 95, was spotted touring the Royal Windsor Horse Show on the event's last day today. The monarch has visited every day since Thursday The monarch appeared in high spirits as she presented the trophy to the winning team of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Spectators carried their umbrellas and wore their waterproof jackets as they as they attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show earlier today The Earl and Countess of Wessex were also spotted presenting prizes to the teams that took part in the Daks Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show The monarch donned a pair of sunglasses as she watched her horse Daydream III compete in the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park The sovereign looked relaxed during this morning's outing, with her hair tucked under a headscarf in case of a spot of rain. The Queen donned a buttoned grey overcoat which covered a dress, with leather brogues in a shade of chestnut. The green and blue scarf offered a pop of colour to her weather-beating outfit. She was also wearing a pair of oval-shaped sunglasses. The Horse Show has long been one of the Queen's favourite event, and this year, after it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, she was clearly keen to attend upon her return from Scotland. Hands in her pocket, the royal looked relaxed during her outing, wearing an overcoat that covered her choice of dress and wearing a colourful scarf on her head Onlookers seemed delighted to see the Queen visit what as long been described as her favourite event of the year Onlookers sheltered themselves from the rain as they attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday The sovereign looked relaxed during this morning's outing as presented the trophy to the winning team of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show The monarch donned a grey overcoat and a headscarf as she arrived to the annual event in Windsor earlier today The Horse Show has long been one of the Queen's favourite event, and this year, after it was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, she was clearly keen to attend upon her return from Scotland The monarch was later seen donning a blue coat and hat as she presented the trophy to the competitors in Windsor Jessica Springsteen, the daughter of Rock legend Bruce Springsteen, was among the riders who competed in front of the Queen today The Earl and Countess of Wessex during the prize giving to the teams that took part in the Daks Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Jessica Springsteen competes in the Rolex Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Today marks the annual horse show's final day since it opened on Thursday A performer from Azerbaijan wears a poncho to cover her costume at the Royal Windsor Horse Show as the rain begins to fall The Earl of Wessex speaks to riders as he presents prizes to the teams that took part in the Daks Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show The Earl and Countess of Wessex speak to the teams that took part in the Daks Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Lady Louise Windsor participates in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today The Welsh team celebrate after winning the Daks Pony Club Mounted Games at the Royal Windsor Horse Show today Lady Louise Windsor smiled to the crowds as she took part in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of The British Driving Society Her daughter-in-law Sophie Wessex, 56, was spotted at the show on its second day this Thursday and was joined by her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 16, her husband Prince Edward and her royal mother-in-law on Saturday for a fun family day out. The 95-year-old monarch is a regular fixture at the event, which is now in its 77th year and attracts well-heeled visitors from all over the world. Her Majesty is is believed to have attended every single year since it began as a wartime fundraising event back in 1943. Her Majesty, who had an audience with Angela Merkel at Windsor Castle on Friday, as the German chancellor continued her valedictory visit to Britain, was first seen arriving at the prestigious equestrian event on Thursday. Wearing a beaming smile, the Queen donned her signature colour-block style, and paired black, loafer shoes with a knee length turquoise coat. Then on Saturday, while she started the day in a casual outfit, wearing a gilet over a cardigan, she later performed an outfit change to deliver prizes at the show. Pretty in pink! The Queen donned a vibrant all-matching ensemble when presenting the Best Turned out Trooper award at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Saturday What a laugh! The Queen is seen beaming with joy on Saturday as she watches the action at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and soaks up the atmosphere at one of her favourite equestrian events of the year in the private grounds of her home The monarch was joined at the competition - which is held in the private grounds of her home - by her youngest son Prince Edward, 57, his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, and their 17-year-old daughter Lady Louise Windsor. She smiled broadly and looked in great spirits as she presented the award for the Best Turned out Trooper this afternoon, on the penultimate day of the event. Her Majesty could be seen grinning with joy as she soaked up the atmosphere at one of her favourite equestrian events of the year earlier in the day. The Queen was joined at the event by her youngest son Prince Edward, his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their daughter Lady Louise. All smiles: The Queen appears in great spirits after arriving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, said to be Her Majesty's favourite event of the year Last year the show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and went online instead. The event was first cancelled in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease, while one day of the show was previously cancelled in May 2016 due to flooding. Sophie appeared relaxed in a tweed blazer, teamed with figure-hugging jeans, a smart shirt and fashionable tan boots. She completed her elegant look with a navy hat adorned with a leather band, golden brooch and brown and blue feathers. Her 17-year-old daughter, who is a keen equestrian and is often spotted out riding with her father, the Earl of Wessex, looked equally stylish in a navy blazer, paired with a green shirt and bootcut trousers. Lady Louise also takes after her late grandfather Prince Philip, having inherited his love of carriage driving and proved herself a talented driver from a young age. In May 2017 she made her debut at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, leading the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society into the showground. Lady Louise Windsor looked every inch the fashionable royal as took the reins of the Duke of Edinburgh's carriage while attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The 17-year-old sported a green hat and matching jacket as she participated in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society in Windsor on Sunday in her grandfather's four-wheeled carriage. Lady Louise, is a keen equestrian and, like her late grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh, has competed in carriage-driving competitions. Her decision to drive the aluminium and steel carriage of her late grandfather comes nearly three months after he passed away at the age of 99 on April 9 this year. Lady Louise looked every inch the fashionable royal as she took the reins of the Duke of Edinburgh's carriage while attending the Royal Windsor Horse Show today The 17-year-old appeared in high spirits as she sported a tweed jacket and matching feathered hat while taking part in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society in Windsor Lady Louise's decision to drive the aluminium and steel carriage of her late grandfather comes nearly three months after he passed away at the age of 99 The 17-year-old's decision to drive the aluminium and steel carriage of her late grandfather comes nearly three months after he passed away. Pictured: The Duke of Edinburgh rising his carriage along in the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 14, 2005 The teenager appeared in great spirits and was seen grinning while riding in a carriage while she held a whip in one hand. Lady Louise took part in the day's activities by riding horses and carriages through the show. Her mother Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who is married to the Queen's youngest son, the Earl of Wessex, also joined in the event. It is believed that the late Duke of Edinburgh also taught Sophie to drive a team of horses as the family shared a love of the animals. The teenager appeared in smiled to the crowds spirits while riding in the carriage in Windsor today The 17-year-old was pictured participating in the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society in Windsor on Sunday Lady Louise is a keen equestrian and, like her late grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh, has competed in carriage-driving competitions The Queen and the Countess of Wessex beamed to the crowds as they attended the event today The countess, who wore a navy hat and jacket, cream blouse and brown gloves, was seen beaming as she rode in a carriage. Echoing her previous appearance in 2018, Lady Louise wore a green hat, a green tweed jacket and a white shirt as she led her own horse and carriage. It is thought that Lady Louise has inherited her love of riding horse and carriages from her grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April. The four-wheeled carriage is believed to be the one owned by Philip which was included in his funeral procession earlier this year. Lady Louise, took part in the day's activities by riding horses and carriages through the show, which runs for five days She appeared in great spirits and was seen grinning while riding in a carriage while she held a whip in one hand Made of aluminium and steel, the carriage was built to the duke's specifications eight years ago, drawing on his knowledge of Federation Equestre Internationale driving. The duke was synonymous with carriage-driving and had been designing the vehicles since the 1970s. Reports said Lady Louise inherited the carriage after the duke's death, although this has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace. Lady Louise was joined by her grandmother The Queen, who returned for a fourth day to enjoy the event. Her mother Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who is married to the Queen's youngest son, the Earl of Wessex, also joined in the event, and was pictured in a navy ensemble Echoing her previous appearance in 2018, Lady Louise wore a green hat, a green tweed jacket and a white shirt as she led her own horse and carriage The largest outdoor horse show in the UK takes place across five days each year and involves international competitions in three equestrian disciplines. The Queen, known for her love of horses, was photographed grinning while sitting in her secluded area at the show. She was dressed in a green coat, green flowery head scarf and brown shoes, and was wearing sunglasses. The Queen's visit comes after a busy week for the monarch, which saw her travelling to Scotland and meeting with the German Chancellor. The four-wheeled carriage is believed to be the one owned by Philip which was included in his funeral procession earlier this year The Queen spent time in Scotland for Royal Week, which takes place each summer and sees her take part in a variety of engagements across the nation which celebrate Scottish culture, achievement and communities. She had returned to Windsor by Thursday for the first day of the horse show and on Friday welcomed Angela Merkel at Windsor Castle. The head of state and the German Chancellor posed for a picture before their audience began at the Queen's Berkshire home. They previously met a few weeks ago at the G7 summit in Cornwall. Most entrepreneurs are happy to make one business an outstanding success. At 52, Marcia Kilgore has three under her belt. Theres Bliss Spa, FitFlop ergonomic sandals and Soap & Glory, the cutely packaged bath range she sold to Boots in 2014 for a reported 45 million. Now shes back at the start-up stage with fledgling venture Beauty Pie, and is once again finding that all the best ideas begin by terrifying people. If its not different and radical and it doesnt scare people, someone has probably done it already, she says, citing the example of her best-selling FitFlop clog, the Shuv. We launched it ten years ago and at first women were really scared of it. Today we sell tons of them. Entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore, 52, who is originally from Canada, has founded three successful businesses - FitFlop, Bliss Spa, Soap & Glory - and is also mother to Louis, 16, and Raphael, 14 Launched in 2016, Beauty Pie has encountered a similar, if not more extreme, reaction in some quarters. We got a lot of hate at the beginning. It was just extraordinary. Kilgores idea is bound to indeed, designed to rile what she calls the beauty industrys old boys network. Traditional high-end brands have hugely inflated the prices of cosmetic and skincare products, she claims. By signing up customers to a membership scheme, from 5 to 20 a month, Beauty Pie says it can offer reductions of up to 80 per cent on a range sourced from the same factories used by those brands but packaged simply and sold online. Kilgore aims to refashion the way we buy beauty, swapping expensive one-off purchases for a locked-in subscription package, a bit like Amazon Prime the holy grail of business models. The entrepreneur, whos mum to Louis, 16, and Raphael, 14, has the slick but steely vibe of a woman whos been in business since the early 1990s and has never expected the world to make it easy for her. People always resent a zeitgeist-changing idea at first. Im showing people they can buy their 60 face cream for 12 and they think its impossible. But its not. She grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada, and early on learned that life could be horribly unpredictable. My father died of brain cancer when I was 11, and my mother, my two sisters and I were kind of left to fend for ourselves. We werent homeless, but we had to watch the budget. I got a part-time job, then another one, then I was doing three. You hustle. And youre not afraid of losing everything as you didnt have much in the first place. She revealed Soap & Glory was her hardest sell, and for months she made just over 200 a week, but FitFlop, the best-selling ergonomic sandals, (pictured) was an instant success For a while she was a bodybuilder and personal trainer, and then, having escaped to New York, she opened a one-room studio offering facials and waxing. NOW SEIZE YOUR CHANCE TO ENTER OUR AWARDS Want to take your business to another level? The Daily Mail/NatWest Everywoman Aphrodite Award gives your venture instant prestige plus access to an elite group of the UKs top female entrepreneurs and mentors. To enter, you must be based, or have your chief operation, in the UK and have set up your business from scratch while raising a child, or children, aged 12 or under. The deadline for entries is July 5, 2021. For full entry details see: Everywomanforum.com/mpage/everywoman-awards Advertisement At a time when spa treatments largely meant eating salad and bathing in mineral waters, Bliss Spa as the business became took the concept of beauty treatments and made them mainstream and aspirational. Sold in 1999 for 19 million to luxury firm LVMH, the brand began popping up in top hotels and the spa boom began. Juggling a family of her own came a few years later. By then she was living in London with French husband Thierry Boue, now 66. Louis was two and my youngest, Raf, was a newborn when I started Soap & Glory. Then, a year after that, I began FitFlop. I used nannies. I had to until they went to school. Even at the weekends, Id go back to the office and do extra work when they were asleep. I had very little social life, and even today I dont ever sit down and watch TV. Women must remember that they have a choice between being fulfilled and, I guess, being secure. Doing what fulfils you doesnt necessarily pay the bills. Its super hard to run a business and a family, but you learn to live in the moment, manage your time and make sacrifices. She never missed a school play for the sake of selling 300 more jars of body butter, but she did miss dinner with friends. You do the deathbed test, and clearly a school play beats an afternoon in the office by that measure. In order to juggle work and home life, she said she had to use nannies to mind her children and never watches TV but despite her busy schedule, she has never missed a school play Defiantly Gen X in her attitude towards the differences between men and women in business, shes clear that women shouldnt expect an easy ride from potential investors. Theres going to be sexism. If a man says hell ask his wife what she thinks of my idea [in beauty], Im not going to be offended. Not everyone understands what a moisturiser is! If someone rejects you, you havent communicated your idea well enough. Soap & Glory was her hardest sell, and for months she made just over 200 a week, but FitFlop was an instant success. The difference, perhaps, lay in the originality of the idea. FitFlop was crazy. People got it immediately and we couldnt keep up with demand. Now, Beauty Pie is just breaking even. The pandemic is causing supply-chain issues and Kilgore has become an expert in global shipping routes. During lockdown, as women turned to internet shopping, Beauty Pie ran out of stock. Has Covid accelerated the death of real-life shopping? Shopping has to evolve as an experience, she insists. A store like Selfridges has done it well. You go to the champagne bar and its a pleasure to be out. Do we still need the beauty counter? Some people love it, some find it intimidating. Websites are getting just as good at giving you information on products as counter staff. But I hope its still part of retail as it can be great fun. A former winner of the Ambassador Award at the NatWest Everywoman Awards, shes one of this years judges and a supporter of the network for businesswomen. I try to mentor everyone in my organisation and I love it when they go on to build businesses. Her big tip is for would-be entrepreneurs to constantly ask themselves what the purpose of their business is, and to hone that message into one brilliant sentence to wow investors. Ive never had a business plan that worked only on the principle of making money theres always a bigger purpose to do with making things better for women. Theres no reason why they should settle for paying such a lot for skincare, for example. I want them to carry that idea over into every aspect of their life. Fashion designer, mother and our one-time first lady, Samantha Cameron knows all about pressure. And just as well, she tells Hattie Crisell, as it helped her pull her fashion brand through a pandemic Samantha in her West London home It would be quite understandable if, on the day that Samantha Camerons husband faces two select committees, she isnt in the mood to conduct an interview about fashion. But if she seems a little flustered when she joins me with David Cameron due to be quizzed on the Greensill lobbying scandal in two hours time she doesnt take long to shake it off. Sorry, its been rather a busy day, she says simply; I imagine eye-wateringly stressful might be a more accurate way of putting it. The woman we call Sam Cam has a reputation for being nice, and she is; later, she will end our chat by apologising that she hasnt asked me more about myself. But its probably more salient to note that shes made of tough stuff life in Downing Street would have been a struggle if she wasnt. Questions about David are off-limits today, but when we discuss her other recent challenges trying to run a fashion business during a pandemic, and then with the added complications of Brexit I tell her that she strikes me as someone who is calm in a crisis. At this, she laughs. Im 50 now, Ive been working in business for a long time and Ive got three children so I think Ive learnt that getting in a panic doesnt necessarily help, she says. Samantha and husband David with, from left, their son Arthur and daughters Nancy and Florence, leaving Downing Street for the last time, July 2016 Shes speaking to me from the house she shares with David, Nancy, 17, Arthur, 15, and Florence, ten, in West London. When she disappears briefly to fetch a snack raspberries I peer through the small window offered by Zoom and study what I can see of the room. Its lined with chic industrial-style bookshelves, carrying everything from Philippa Gregory novels to the 2012 economics title Why Nations Fail. At the edge of the screen, I get a tantalising glimpse of what might be a set of prime ministerial nesting dolls: it looks like two of them are painted with the faces of Samanthas husband and his successor Theresa May, but just as Im almost falling off my chair with nosiness, my interviewee returns. She doesnt work from home much any more, she explains: she goes into Cefinn HQ about four days a week, and is relieved to be back in the mix after lockdown. Ive really missed working in an office, she says. I love the whole social aspect and the buzz of it it made me realise that its one of the reasons why I like working. Sara Cox and Holly Willoughby wear Cefinn Considering that the raison detre of Cefinn, which she launched in 2017, is to provide busy women with a smart but easy work wardrobe, it could have been catastrophic for her when the pandemic hit and we were all confined to our homes. She had to furlough staff, unsurprisingly, but today she is upbeat about the recovery: Luckily, quite a few of the people that we furloughed we were able to bring back into the business, so that was great. Nevertheless, the early weeks of the first lockdown were a scramble to secure the business, each day packed with virtual meetings with staff and suppliers. For me, working from home didnt feel very different, in the sense that I was still having to get up and get dressed and look professional online, and we were very busy, she says. We were still at a point in time where some of the summer stuff hadnt been delivered yet so we worked very hard with the factories to cut back on our orders. There were lots of costs that we had to look at reducing not having any idea how long it was going to go on for, and really wondering what it was that the customer was going to want. Princess Eugenie and Gillian Anderson wear Cefinn In the early days of the brand, Cefinn had specialised in sleek dresses costing, on average, 260 each not quite designer prices, but certainly at the top end of the high street. The collection, which also included suits, walked a line: it was conservative with a small c, but not stuffily corporate. Even so, some of those clothes would feel like overkill for a woman working at her kitchen table, perhaps breaking off to do home-schooling shifts. As it turned out, it was Cefinns more casual knitwear line, as well as shirts, that kept the business turning over during lockdown. Browsing the website now, my eye is caught by an elegant, blouson-sleeved cardigan (see below) that comes in a rainbow of colours. That was one of the items that we reordered and reordered during the period, because it did incredibly well, nods Samantha. In December, a sleeveless layering jumper (140, see opposite) sold out in 48 hours, then acquired a waiting list of over 500 keen customers, and sold out twice more during the third lockdown. These were clothes that felt presentable enough for high-flyers in online meetings, but not too fussy to wear at home. Now that the world is reopening, Samanthas watching carefully to see how office style will evolve. Im sure that smart knitwear, shirts and blouses will definitely be a bigger part of peoples working wardrobe than, say, a suit, she says. And I think it was moving in that direction already. People are often commuting a long way. They might be taking their children to school en route to work, and you dont want to be doing that in a tight suit and heels every morning. Katherine Jenkins wears Cefinn Theres still much uncertainty, and if the pandemic has tested fashion businesses, then Brexit has pushed many to the brink. Customs charges have made it much harder for small brands to sell to the EU previously the UKs largest export market for clothes, accounting for 74 per cent of foreign sales. The dual impact of Brexit and Covid has been challenging, says Samantha. Most of our customers are in the UK or the US, so they havent been affected, but we do have a small customer base in Europe, and that is definitely less profitable than it was. Yet shes hopeful that things are getting better. To begin with, even couriers and freight forwarders didnt really understand the impact of new tariffs or paperwork, but over time its got slightly smoother. Its all very technical, and I think thats whats hard for a small company; it can be quite difficult to get to the bottom of the impact quickly. As former creative director of the accessories brand Smythson (from 1997 to 2010), Samanthas not new to business but over the past year in particular, shes learnt that its crucial to accept support. I really have to rely on the talent and expertise of the rest of my team, she says. And ask for advice. Contrary to what people might think of the fashion industry, everyones very supportive of each other. Certainly during the pandemic, that was true; there were quite a few people who I rang in the first weeks saying, Oh my god, what are you doing about this, and how are you handling that? She praises the designer Anya Hindmarch in particular: Shes just an amazingly energetic person, whos so generous with her time, her advice and her experience. For design ideas, Samantha studies what her friends and family are wearing just as much as she studies fashion magazines. Her teenage daughter Nancy is increasingly stylish. Shes very creative and shes been making her own clothes since she was about ten Ive got an amazing picture of her in the kitchen, having created the most glamorous little outfit out of some ribbon and a piece of old fabric, she says. She does a lot of vintage shopping, and whenever we go to any new town, shell be trying to find the charity shop. Shes definitely bought some pieces that Ive taken inspiration from, and there are a few of my clothes that she borrows. In Samanthas own teenage years, she recalls trying to look like someone out of Fame. Though she enjoyed a gorgeous designer wardrobe in Downing Street, she always loved the high street, too. Ive got a lot of Zara shoes. I love Arket and & Other Stories, and I used to buy a lot of knitwear from Cos. She now lives mostly in samples for Cefinn, putting them to the test herself. When I ask if she plans her outfits, she laughs. No, Im certainly not a planner! I wish I was the kind of person who laid out their outfits the night before. I think thats why I wanted to create a brand thats almost a capsule wardrobe. When youre trying to get the children off to school and youve got a big meeting, and youve changed four times in a panic that youre not looking right As a designer, that was my challenge how do you create more of those pieces that are really easy to fling on in the morning and style with the rest of your wardrobe? Designing prints that can be worn with black tights is part of that, she explains. And the majority of the fabrics she uses for Cefinn are washable, which I agree is clever my dry-clean-only clothes are rarely worn, because theyre such a faff. She nods: Theres always that day when youve suddenly got to go to a party, and its the one thing you want to wear and there it is, in a crumpled heap in the corner, waiting to be taken to the dry-cleaner. Donna Airin wears Cefinn Dry-cleaning is also bad for the environment, she points out, and making Cefinn more sustainable is one of her priorities over the next few years. Weve got organic cotton in the collection now and quite a lot of recycled polyester coming in for next season, so progress is being made. A few years ago it would have been impossible to find anything like that were all having to put constant pressure on our suppliers to invest in it. Mostly, her hope for the future is that life as we used to know it will return: That people are safe and well enough, that they rediscover the joy of going out and socialising, and then obviously the fun of dressing up, she says. One of the sadnesses for me is Ive got seven younger brothers and sisters, and over 20 nieces and nephews now and not being able to see them all together in 18 months has been really tough. You cant re-create that on Zoom. Indeed, she had to resign herself to a low-key celebration for her 50th birthday in April. Its our 25th wedding anniversary as well in a couple of weeks time, she adds. But nows not the time for a party. Ill save it, she says. It will keep me 49 for another year. Our top five forever pieces YOUs fashion editor Sophie Dearden picks the Cefinn buys that will last a lifetime The deep V and sleeve detail keep this modern. Cardigan, 190, cefinn.com The A-line cut is beautifully flattering. Dress, 350, cefinn.com Collarless shirts are timeless. Buy this now and wear endlessly! Shirt, 170, cefinn.com The ultimate smart yet easy throw-on. Jumpsuit, 370, cefinn.com The perfect layering jumper: great with mid-length skirts. Sleeveless jumper, 140. All cefinn.com Growing up, ANITA RANI was under constant pressure to have a traditional Indian marriage. In this searingly honest extract from her new memoir, she reveals how being caught between two cultures pushed her to breaking point Dress, Amanda Wakeley. Earrings and bangles (right arm), Tilly Sveaas. Bangles (left arm), Dinosaur Designs. When it comes to matters of the heart or sexuality, Asian kids of my generation are often screwed. And I dont mean the fun kind! No boyfriends or girlfriends allowed. Ever. But marriage is a MUST. So how the heck do we learn about relationships? The problem pages of Just Seventeen were pure porn to my sheltered Indian eyes and the only brown couples I saw on telly were on The Bill and usually involved a domestic abuse storyline. The only place I experienced any kind of romance was Bollywood. Every Saturday night, wed rent a (usually dodgy) VHS copy of an Indian movie. Every film is a love story, where boy meets girl, they cant be together because of the SHAME it will bring, but after a healthy splattering of incongruous song and dance numbers with at least seven costume changes, spoiler alert: true love always wins out and/or someone dies. At least, thats the Bollywood I grew up with. For most Indian girls and boys of my generation, boyfriends and girlfriends were a no-no. Romance? Denied. Sexuality? Hai hai hai (OMG). Sex? Ney ney ney (no, no, no; theres a lot of repetition in Punjabi for added drama). So, to get around the small problem of no dating, we simply lie to our parents. (Although from what I saw, it was clear boys had it much easier than girls.) Whos that boy on the phone? Oh, just a friend. They could never know he was a boyfriend. Youd be locked away, have your ass whupped or, worse, be married off! What you need to know about my own mum is that she thinks of herself as an open-minded Indian mother, because shed say, You can marry anyone you want, aaaaannnyyyybody, you are lucky Im so open minded, other girls mothers are much stricter than me, you can pick the person you want to marry... as long as hes Indian. This was her obsession marrying, and marrying Indian. She was liberal enough to allow me to pick for myself, but also told me no one knows where to start with you (like I was going to let anyone else do it) as long as he was a boy from a family from any state in India, which was really useful in suburban Bradford. The worst crime I could commit would be to bring home someone non-Indian. Whats the worst that could happen if you fell in love with and wanted to marry someone who didnt fit your parents expectations? For some Asian girls, falling in love with the wrong man is a crime. Back in the 1980s, I used to lie on my grannys sofa pretending to sleep but actually listen to my two aunts have a good old gossip about which of their friends had run away from home, usually with a boy. Probably to escape a forced marriage. Punjabi parents disowning their daughters was commonplace when I was a tot. Mainly because theyd dared to make their own choices about their lives. Anita as a toddler with her parents Theres no such thing as unconditional love in some Asian households, unless you are a son of course. Heres the deal: you bring shame, we disown you. You dont even need to bring home a person as shocking as someone white, black, Muslim, Hindu or Sikh (depending on your religious perspective) for Bollywood-style melodrama to ensue. Even someone from the wrong caste can result in children being outcast. A person who has the same religion, same food, same language, same culture, same customs you are the same s***ing people, but three generations ago your ancestors did a job that Britain decided would help define you, and now here you are refusing to speak to your own child because they made their own decision about who they want to spend the rest of their life with. Utter madness. Whats the worst that could happen? The worst? The worst is the worst. I knew someone whose husband was doing time for killing his own sister because shed fallen in love. A so-called honour killing. I fail to see the honour. Shame, shame, shame on those who treat their daughters like chattel. Who place the burden of being the familys pride on their daughters, who suffocate their existence, who crush their souls, who believe their only use is to bear sons and make roti. Shame on you, I say. Ive seen so many crushed wills, I watched all my aunts and cousins bury their own wants and desires to keep their parents heads held high. I too was filled with this nonsense. The moment you marry is when parents can breathe a sigh of relief and proudly watch their daughter the one so many said had too much freedom and would end up marrying white, or would run away have a traditional wedding and marry someone Indian. Fulfilling her dharma, her duty. Thats the moment they wait for. As though bringing up a daughter is an act of danger and trepidation, a great, heavy joyless burden, until you can finally say she belongs to someone else. Marrying within your culture is the ultimate. Then there are degrees of acceptance depending on who you go for. To marry white is often accepted, probably because some Asians aspire to whiteness. Although theres the threat of the watching, judging eyes of the community to keep you on track, we still feel to be married is a level of acceptance and, for the fairer-skin Indians, a way to vanish your identity should you want to. There will be beautiful fair-skinned, mixed-race babies with a white person and everyone will live happily ever after. Anita on Countryfile, 2020 Then there is what is rarely accepted, that will put Indian Hindu or Sikh families into a tailspin to marry Muslim, to marry black, to marry black and Muslim, and to come out as LGBTQ+. The levels of prejudice within sections of the Asian community are shocking. Dont get me wrong, things are changing and more and more families are happy to accept their children and the choices they make, but for every family whose son or daughter has come out as gay or married who theyve wanted to, many more could never bring themselves to do this for fear of abandonment. So how on earth, then, if marriage is the ultimate goal and youre not allowed a relationship, are you ever meant to meet someone? In my family, up until me, every single person (well, every woman at least) had an arranged marriage. My uncles left home and married white women, free to do what they wanted. Oh, the privilege of having a penis! But if youre a girl, your parents, along with the aunty network the illuminaunty would find suitable matches for you. The illuminaunty have been the reason for most Indian marriages for centuries. I opted out of this system, which was a great source of consternation for my aunts. At 16, I was at a wedding. Dont ask me whose wedding, I have no idea. Indian weddings are more than a family affair you invite everyone you know, or everyone who has ever invited you to a wedding. Youd easily have 1,000 guests. This wedding was a seminal moment in my life. It was where I swore to never attend another wedding. I was sitting next to my mum, tucking into my second packet of Walkers cheese and onion, when the illuminaunty clocked me. A blob of shimmery sarees and enough gold to sink a ship, all whispering kussur pussur, kussur pussur (gossiping), glided towards us, like a horror movie monster. Five sets of beady kohl-covered eyes all peering at me. One set of eyes spoke to my mother while the other four continued to stare at me. Kuri ki kurdiyeh? What does the girl do? Kuri di ummar ki? How old is the girl? Munday bhaterey hayge ah. There are plenty of boys. Can she see that I am sitting right here, mum? Tell her Im only 16. Dont mind them, my mum tried to calm my outrage. Its just our culture. But they did mention a boy who rides a motorbike and one family has a fleeeeeeeet of Rolls-Royces. The aunty network sounds great, my single white friends in their 30s would later say to me. Its so hard to meet people. Why not have a system where someone has gone through a basic checklist before you go on a blind date? Maybe the illuminaunty need to branch out into other cultures. Maybe they could create a marriage bureau app and call it Preetinder (an Indian name meaning God of love)? Their tagline could be: 200 per cent success rate. Love comes later. I considered leaving out any of the bits of my life that involved dating white boys. There would be quite a few blank pages. Dont panic, Mum, not LOADS, but a few. There was always the slight issue that any white boyfriends fundamentally didnt understand a huge part of my identity. Why cant you just tell your parents about us? Can I come round for dinner? I knew I wasnt allowed to do it. To date anyone, really, but definitely not someone who wasnt Indian. Our strict Asian parents made it all the more tempting by banning it, so its their fault. All that repression, what did you think was going to happen? Some of us were never going to toe the party line. But the inner conflict does mess you up somewhat. All the control and manipulation Id experienced growing up: What will other people think?, This is not how girls behave, You are lucky you have such a lenient mother, to list a few of the classic one-liners, had only gone and worked. I was guilt- and anxiety-riddled. How on earth was I going to be the right sort of girl at university? The one I was expected to be, or the one I wanted to be. With her whippet Rafi earlier this year I was forging ahead with my education, trying to make (kind of) astute decisions to progress myself in the right direction. When it came to lads, however, I had no critical faculties whatsoever, often dating the first bloke who would show any interest in me. Was this because I had zero confidence in myself and zero belief in my attractiveness to the opposite sex? Was it because Id never been taught that you are allowed to have standards and think about the qualities you want in a person? Was it because everyone else seemed to be hooking up so I thought it was the thing to do? Was it because I was just an average young woman, making plenty of dating mistakes, as everyone else did? Or was it because my only criterion for a man, the edict that had been ringing in my ears since the beginning of time, was that he HAS to be Indian? It was explained to me that if I didnt study, Id be married off. Marriage was a threat, a terrifying threat. SPOILER ALERT: I do get married to the dream Indian son-in-law and you will be invited to my massive Indian wedding. But, for the first time in my life, I will admit that standing in my wedding regalia at the doorway of the gurdwara, looking at the backs of the 450 guests invited to my own wedding and about 100 or so gatecrashers, what was honestly going through my mind was: What the hell am I doing here? My husband-to-be is sitting in front of the holy book waiting for me to walk down the carpeted aisle, to take my place cross-legged on the floor next to him, so we can begin our beautiful Sikh wedding ceremony. What happens at this point in the movies? Butterflies in your belly? Everyone turns to smile at the beautiful bride? A full-blown song and dance sequence for the happiest day of your life? Im freaking out. Im looking out across the scene in front of me, serene, calm, quiet, and I am anything but. This was not how Id planned life to be. I am 32 but I wasnt supposed to be getting married yet and, when I did get married, I wasnt going to have a big, elaborate, traditional Indian wedding. So how had I got here, a place I knew I didnt want to be, having my big bonanza wedding? I want to say that after years of feeling like the ugly duckling and making epic relationship mistakes, I eventually fell in love and lived happily ever after. Isnt that what everyone wants to hear? Ive denied the reality to myself for a long time. It was actually my husband who said to tell you, the reader, the truth. To not pretend I was skipping around with white doves floating around me and a sitar playing sweet music. That I felt like I was making a mistake. Not because I hadnt met an incredible man (hes a gud un), just getting married seemed so final. Did either of us really know what we were getting into, or were we just taking a punt and hoping for the best? I want you to understand just how powerful my South Asian upbringing, with all its rules and regulations, really was. That no matter how successful and independent and high-achieving and freethinking I thought I was, I was still under a huge amount of pressure based on my ridiculous need to please and not let anyone down. This meant I did what was expected of me and not what I wanted. When I met the lad who was to become my husband, Id been living in London happily for nine years, carving out a career as a presenter. Id managed to buy my first home. I loved life in my little flat. It was just the adventure I wanted. I was free. I went out when I wanted, which wasnt very often, because I enjoyed pottering around my house. I was pedalling away at growing my presenting career and did I mention I was free? Anita with her husband Bhupi Rehal in 2018 I was travelling up and down the country filming as a reporter for The One Show, Id got a gig on Watchdog, I was even standing in for the regular presenters and DJs on Radio 5 Live and my favourite radio station 6 Music. Life was sweet and I was having a great time. I spoke to Mum on the phone regularly. The conversations always, ALWAYS, went the same way: Aunty Pushpas sisters husbands brothers daughter has had a baby. Oh. How did you get home tonight? Tube and then walk. Oh, be careful. Im so scared of you walking home alone. Mum, its fine. Ive lived here for years and Im 30. Yes, yes, 30 and single. Sigh. Yeah, but Im happy. No. Yes. But I wont be happy until you are settled. Mum, Im happy, Im settled, I like being single, I dont want to get married. I will never be happy until you are married. Only then my burden will be lifted. I dont want to get married. I know, what can I do with this girl? Let me live my life? Every single time we spoke: I wont be happy until youre married. That is the killer line. When all you have tried to do is make them happy. Its the final and most effective control method, their suffering. In the pursuit of your own freedom and choices, you are still controlled by that innate drive, which means mothers can turn the screw whenever they want, consciously or subconsciously. All they can think about from the minute you are born is the day you will get married. Finally, they will be free of the daughter. Theres no consulting or interest in how YOU might feel about it. Theres a life agenda and you have to fit it. Dont get me wrong, I wanted to meet someone too, but in my own time, in my own way, maybe with a bit of romance, with my own twist thrown in. It was a Friday night in 2008 and I was planning a lovely night in: a YouTube musical journey, with a bowl of pasta. My brother Kul who was living in my spare room wasnt having any of it. Anita, youll become a cat lady. Come oooooon, lets go ooooout. Id been invited to a warehouse party in Dalston. As I climbed the concrete stairs, I was already happy. Everyone was happy. But hang on, this place was different to any club, pub, rave, festival, secret gig, any social gathering Id ever been to, because 80 per cent of the kids in this room were brown like me! Its like all the Asian misfits from around the UK had congregated in this room. In here, it was us against them. In here, we were seen. In here, I met the lad who was to become my husband. How did I clock him? It was hard to miss him, seeing as there was a bright light shining out from inside him. And, of course, he was well fit. We got chatting when I was ready to leave but he insisted I stay as he was about to jump on the decks to play a set. Now he really had my attention! The first record he played was one of my absolute favourites, M J Coles Sincere. There was no way I could leave now. I called Mum to tell her Id met someone. Whats his name? Bhupinder . . . BHUPINDER! Indian! It was as though all my mums Diwalis and Vaisakhis had come at once. Now get married, jaldi jaldi. The message from all my aunts was the same, as soon as they found out I was dating someone Indian. And not just Indian, but a Punjabi. This is precisely the reason no Asian kids ever reveal to their parents that they are in a relationship, whether theyd approve of it or not, because as soon as they know, they expect you to get married. The idea of long-term dating or, shock horror, moving in together? No, no, no, no! Thats something for the Western world. For Asian parents, you meet and, if youre not put off immediately by any kind of terrible body odour, you wed. A year later, we were getting married. There was a specific moment that propelled our relationship along. Grief can do that. It was Christmas 2008, four blissful months into our relationship. Mum called with the devastating news that my favourite uncle, my dads little brother, had died. He was only 44. Id never lost a loved one, let alone the uncle who was the closest relation to me and Kul, who meant the world to us. Id never experienced grief and, even now, I still find it very hard to talk about. The lad drove Kul and me back up to Bradford on the same night we got the news. It was surreal walking into my mum and dads home at midnight. Everyone was in shock. Then the lad did something that came to him instinctively and I was amazed: he gave my dad a hug. Not an awkward back-pat kind of hug, but a proper, meaningful, supportive, deeply thoughtful and moving hug. He held my dad. His capacity for vulnerability, sensitivity, compassion and kindness was something Id never seen in a man, and I was astounded. And, remarkably, my dad hugged him back. Id never seen my dad hug like that before. In that moment, I thought yes. Two months later, on a snowy mountain in the Alps, he proposed. Did I cry? No, I just felt really awkward for most of it. I cringe at big romantic gestures! I love giving but Im terrible at receiving and I hadnt yet made friends with my own vulnerability. So, marriage was always going to be an interesting exercise. We then snowboarded, or rather, attempted to snowboard, down the mountain towards the rest of our lives. I did not want a big Indian wedding in a hotel in Bradford, which is what pretty much everyone I knew usually went for. We wanted a Hackney register office with a tiny group of our closest family and friends, and a small party afterwards. Fat chance. As me and the lad both came with a Punjabi mother, the wedding was swiftly taken out of our hands. I did not want a big Indian wedding in a hotel in Bradford. We also had this wonderful idea of getting married in India, in my favourite state of Rajasthan. But I was marrying a British Indian who had never set foot in India. My Rajasthani dream was ditched. I did not want a big Indian wedding in a hotel in Bradford. The next most obvious choice was the place where my heart resides and I feel most at peace, in the beautiful open expanse of the Yorkshire countryside. I found the perfect place, a stunning manor house surrounded by the verdant rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales. This place was picture perfect AND it was big enough to have 250 people for a sit-down meal. Two hundred and fifty people, I hear you shriek! This, let me tell you, is a minuscule number for a Punjabi wedding. OW MANY? Dad blurted out when he heard 250. Then he just laughed. No, no, no. Thats not nearly enough space. Where are we going to put the gatecrashers? My parents explained that Punjabi weddings are a celebratory feast, a tradition left over from back in the day when we lived in villages (actually, not that long ago my dad was literally born in a barn) and the entire village would be invited as a way of connecting with your community. Most importantly, however, it was what my mum and dad wanted. They wanted the honour of doing things the traditional way and even though Ive spent a lifetime fighting to carve my own independent place in the world, they are my Achilles heel. Ultimately, I didnt want to upset them. I wanted my mum and dad to have the day theyd always dreamed of. The day theyd waited for all my life. I went from the girl who was never getting married to the girl who would have an intimate wedding to the girl who had what I call My big fat Punjabi sweat fest. It was to be a week-long affair. The henna ceremony, the wedding bangles ceremony, the getting covered in turmeric ceremony (to beautify me before the big day). Then a Sikh ceremony at the gurdwara in Bradford followed by a reception big enough to hold 450 you heard right, 450 of my nearest and dearest! Yes. I was having a big Indian wedding in a hotel in Bradford. Me and the lad decided as long as the two of us were there, wed let them do what they wanted. And it was a hoot. My friends had an incredible time going from parties to ceremonies to rituals, to costume changes and chicken tikkas and seekh kebabs and aloo tikkis, to bhangra dancing and henna applying and curries and rice and chappatis and naans, borrowing sarees and being draped in all the bling they could get their hands on, and legitimate bindi wearing. A full two hours after the ceremony, we made our entrance at the reception. This was my touch and a first at an Indian wedding in Bradford: we came in dancing behind the 14-piece Bollywood Brass Band, with two booming Indian dhol players, all blowing out Bollywood classics. Ive never seen an Indian wedding party turn into a rave, with aunties and uncles and sarees and turbans bouncing all over the dancefloor. Finally, I relaxed. All of a sudden, I was having the time of my life. I have never regretted my marriage, only the way I was pushed towards it. At the time, I thought, maybe theyre all right. Maybe it is time I settled down. Whatever that means. For the girl who had only ever craved freedom, I felt as though I was walking into a trap. Its all very complicated and exposing to admit... as a married woman. But marriage has also been the only place that has truly helped me explore who I am. What the life I want is, what I will and wont accept. The older I get, the more Im challenged and the more I understand. But my life checklist remains the same: I still want adventures and a tattoo and to live my life to the fullest. Now, Ive got a partner along for the ride one with a great record collection. This is an edited extract from Anitas memoir The Right Sort of Girl which will be published on 8 July by Bonnier, price 16.99* From top: Anita as a toddler with her parents and with her husband Bhupi Rehal in 2018 Advertisement The former head of MI6 has warned that the threat to Britain from terror groups including al-Qaeda will grow if NATO powers turn their backs on Afghanistan as Western troops withdraw 20 years after the US-led invasion following the September 11 attacks. In his first-ever television interview, Sir Alex Younger said it would be an 'enormous mistake' to neglect the country and predicted that the most likely outcome for Afghanistan is civil war between a resurgent Taliban and the US-backed Afghan government. The ex-spy chief revealed that he was 'very worried' that Russia could exploit the crisis in Afghanistan to harm Britain and her allies, two decades after the US-led coalition invaded the country following the September 11, 2001 atrocities in New York and Washington DC. Sir Alex, who retired as chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in September last year, also said every goal set by the international community to rebuild the Afghan state was 'unrealistic' goal. And he lashed out at Donald Trump's decision to set an exit date for US troops rather than use the promise of withdrawal better as leverage over the Taliban regime. It comes as the last regular British troops leave Afghanistan today, ending a costly involvement in which 454 UK soldiers and civilians have died in Afghanistan since the launch of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom.The last of the UK's 750 soldiers are due to leave as the Taliban advances in many parts of the country, sparking fears of a new civil war. In April, President Joe Biden said it was 'time to end America's longest war', and on Friday the US handed over Bagram air base, a strategic stronghold, to the Afghan security forces. About 650 US troops are staying to protect its embassy. Speaking to Sky News, career intelligence officer Sir Alex said the British intervention had put the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda 'on the back foot' - but warned that 'they have the capacity to regenerate'. Asked what the consequences would be if the West turned its back on the Middle Eastern country, he said: 'I think if terrorist groups are allowed to regenerate somewhere like Afghanistan, it will lead to more threat on the shores of our country and our allies. 'We are going to have to think very carefully in the absence of troops on the ground about how we deal with that. It's vital that we don't make the mistakes that we made last time around.' The former head of MI6 has warned that the threat to Britain from terror groups including al-Qaeda will grow if Western allies turn their back on Afghanistan after troops withdraw Captain Melvin Cabebe with the US Army's 1-320 Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division stands near a burning M-ATV armored vehicle after it struck an improvised explosive device near Combat Outpost Nolen in the Arghandab Valley north of Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 23, 2010 The ex-spy chief revealed that he was 'very worried' that Russia could exploit the crisis in Afghanistan to harm Britain and her allies, more than 20 years after the US-led coalition invaded the country following the September 11, 2001 atrocity in New York In an extraordinary admission, the former spy chief said ambitions to set up democracy in Afghanistan had failed and suggested that terrorist threats cannot be solved purely militarily. 'With hindsight, the aspiration to build a nation was not supported by a political plan and was in the event unrealistic,' Sir Alex said. 'I am frustrated by the way in which we have failed - we the international community have failed - to match our ambitions with a proper political plan.' Asked by Sky News if he was worried that the Russian government might try to exploit the crisis to inflict further harm on Britain and her allies, Sir Alex admitted he was 'very worried about it'. Britain and the US have both accused Moscow of supporting the Taliban when the Islamist militants were fighting NATO forces in Afghanistan. There have also been reports that a unit within Russia's military intelligence agency the GRU offered bounties to the Taliban to kill Allied forces - allegations denied by Russia. Sir Alex went on: 'I am proud of what we have done there when I look at the situation that existed in 2001, when I look at the extent of the terrorist infrastructure and when I consider the damage that could and would have been done if we had allowed that to continue. 'But I'm also very thoughtful about what we have learnt. 'What we have learnt is that whilst the initial solution is military and security and about disrupting these groups, the solution has to be political I've learnt: the idea that we can create a democracy in our image in a country like that is out of reach.' Pictured: M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2014 Asked what the consequences would be if the West turned its back on the Middle Eastern country, Sir Alex said: 'I think if terrorist groups are allowed to regenerate somewhere like Afghanistan, it will lead to more threat on the shores of our country and our allies' The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley in October 2014 Tory backbenchers have warned of the consequences and implications of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Tobias Ellwood, the chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, warned: 'There is a danger of Afghanistan collapsing.' Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said the 'stripped down' British Army is no longer an expeditionary force if it cannot even maintain the conflict in Afghanistan with the 'very small number of soldiers' there. He blasted military chiefs over pulling troops out of the country this year, branding it a 'major strategic mistake' - as he warned that the withdrawal meant Britain could forget about influencing other nations. Mr Tugendhat told the Today programme yesterday: 'In 2009 we were engaged in combat operations all over the country. But today, well in the last year when this decision [to withdraw] was made, British troops haven't been engaged in combat operations. 'In fact they haven't been engaged in combat operations for a number of years - we've been engaged in training. So this is really much like pulling out of Germany in 1960 than refusing to finish the war in 1945. 'This is a very very different decision and in that case I think it's a major strategic mistake.' He said: 'What we're demonstrating very publicly, very clearly, to many different adversaries and indeed sadly also to allies is that the US and her allies won't stay. Now if you don't have the ability to persist you can forget about influencing others. Nobody will care what you think if you're not going to be there tomorrow.' Thousands of British personnel have been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured. They flaunted their participation in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol on social media and then, apparently realizing they were in legal trouble, rushed to delete evidence of it, authorities say. Now their attempts to cover up their role in the deadly siege are likely to come back to haunt them in court. An Associated Press review of court records has found that at least 49 defendants are accused of trying to erase incriminating photos, videos and texts from phones or social media accounts documenting their conduct as a pro-Donald Trump mob stormed Congress and briefly interrupted the certification of Democrat Joe Bidens election victory. Experts say the efforts to scrub the social media accounts reveal a desperate willingness to manipulate evidence once these people realized they were in hot water. And, they say, it can serve as powerful proof of peoples consciousness of guilt and can make it harder to negotiate plea deals and seek leniency at sentencing. 'It makes them look tricky, makes them look sneaky,' said Gabriel J. Chin, who teaches criminal law at the University of California, Davis. People record as Capitol police officers push back violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump U.S. Capitol in Washington Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump scale the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol in Washington One such defendant is James Breheny, a member of the Oath Keepers extremist group, who bragged in texts to others about being inside the Capitol during the insurrection, authorities say. An associate instructed Breheny, in an encrypted message two days after the riot, to 'delete all pictures, messages and get a new phone,' according to court documents. That same day, the FBI said, Breheny shut down his Facebook account, where he had photos that he taken during the riot and complained the government had grown tyrannical. 'The Peoples Duty is to replace that Government with one they agree with,' Breheny wrote on Facebook on Jan. 6 in an exchange about the riot. 'Im all ears. Whats our options???' Breheney's lawyer, Harley Breite, said his client never obstructed the riot investigation or destroyed evidence, and that Breheny didn't know when he shut down account that his content would be considered evidence. Breite rejected the notion that Breheny might have been able to recognize, in the days immediately after Jan. 6 when the riot dominated news coverage, that the attack was a serious situation that could put Breheny's liberty at risk. 'You cant delete evidence if you dont know you are being charged with anything,' Breite said. Other defendants who have not been accused of destroying evidence still engaged in exchanges with others about deleting content, according to court documents. The FBI said one woman who posted video and comments showing she was inside the Capitol during the attack later decided not to restore her new phone with her iCloud content - a move that authorities suspect was aimed at preventing them from uncovering the material. Pro-Trump protesters storm the Capitol Building on January 6 Trump rioters takes selfie with police officer inside Capitol Hill on January 6 In another case, authorities say screenshots from a North Carolina mans deleted Facebook posts contradicted his claim during an interview with an FBI agent that he didnt intend on disrupting the Electoral College certification. Erasing digital content isnt as easy as deleting content from phones, removing social media posts or shutting down accounts. Investigators have been able to retrieve the digital content by requesting it from social media companies, even after accounts are shut down. Posts made on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms are recoverable for a certain period of time, and authorities routinely ask those companies to preserve the records until they get court orders to view the posts, said Adam Scott Wandt, a public policy professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who trains law enforcement on cyber-based investigations. Authorities also have other avenues for investigating whether someone has tried to delete evidence. Even when a person removes content from an account, authorities may still get access to it if it had been backed up on a cloud server. People who arent involved in a crime yet were sent incriminating videos or photos may end up forwarding them to investigators. Also, metadata embedded in digital content can show whether it has been modified or deleted. 'You cant do it,' said Joel Hirschhorn, a criminal defense lawyer in Miami who is not involved in Capitol riot cases. 'The metadata will do them in every time.' Only a handful of the more than 500 people across the U.S. who have been arrested in the riot have actually been charged with tampering for deleting incriminating material from their phones or Facebook accounts. They include several defendants in the sweeping case against members and associates of the Oath Keepers extremist group, who are accused of conspiring to block the certification of the vote. In one instance, a defendant instructed another to 'make sure that all signal comms about the op has been deleted and burned,' authorities say. But even if it does not result in more charges, deleting evidence will make it difficult for those defendants to get much benefit at sentencing for accepting responsibility for their actions, said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School. Some lawyers might argue their clients removed the content to lessen the social impact that the attack had on their families and show they do not support what had occurred during the riot. But she said that argument has limits. 'The words `self-serving will come to mind,' Levenson said. 'Thats what the prosecutors will argue - you removed it because all of a sudden, you have to face the consequences of your actions.' Matthew Mark Wood, who acknowledged deleting content from his phone and Facebook account that showed presence in the Capitol during the riot, told an FBI agent that he did not intend on disrupting the Electoral College certification. But investigators say screenshots of two of his deleted Facebook posts tell a different story. In the posts, Wood reveled in rioters sending 'those politicians running' and declared that he had stood up against a tyrannical government in the face of a stolen election, the FBI said in court records. 'When diplomacy doesnt work and your message has gone undelivered, it shouldnt surprise you when we revolt,' Wood wrote. His lawyer did not return a call seeking comment. Even though she is not accused of deleting content that showed she was inside the Capitol during the riot, one defendant told her father that she was not going to restore her new phone with her iCloud backup about three weeks after the riot, the FBI said. 'Stay off the clouds!' the father warned his daughter, according to authorities. 'They are how they are screwing with us.' Advertisement Former President Donald Trump accused New York prosecutors of behaving like a 'communist dictatorship targeting political opponents' as he railed against criminal charges leveled against his company during a rally in Florida. He unloaded his fury after a week that included seeing an employee paraded into court in handcuffs with a fiery rally speech on Saturday night in Sarasota, Florida. Trump hit all his favorite targets, from immigration to fake news, but reserved special fury for prosecutors in New York. 'It's reminiscent of a communist dictatorship targeting their political opponents ... fabricating charges to try and silence them, abusing the justice system and leaking out information on a daily basis to the press, to engage in flagrant character assassination,' he said to cheers. But he said the 'witch hunt' that began when he first ran for office would backfire, cementing his support. 'In America people will not stand for it,' he said. The Florida trip was his second campaign-style rally since leaving office, a mass gathering of the MAGA faithful as he seeks to retain his grip on the Republican Party and boost allies before next year's midterm elections. Before the rally began, Trump told Newsmax that he had spoken to Florida governor Ron DeSantis and had told him not to attend the event, and instead stay in Miami where he is dealing with the aftermath of the Surfside condo collapse. He said: 'He is working very hard. He is doing a very good job. He should be there. I told him: 'You should be there, this is not that important for you'. He of all people should be there.' The rally, billed as a Fourth of July celebration, drew tens of thousands of people to a grassy fairground, braving first blistering temperatures and then torrential Florida rain. The gathering of the MAGA faithful came as Trump seeks to retain his grip on the Republican Party and boost allies before next year's midterm elections Former President Trump delivered angry retort to criminal charges against his company during a rally in Sarasota, Florida Trump hit all his favorite targets, from immigration to fake news, but reserved special fury for prosecutors in New York 'Democrats are mobilizing every power of government to come after me, my family, my wonderful employees' The rally was a chance for Trump to respond to the events of Thursday, when Trump's namesake company and chief financial officer pleaded not guilty to 15 criminal charges brought by prosecutors investigating suspected tax fraud. They alleged that Allen Weisselberg had failed to pay tax on $1.7 million of perks - including Mercedes cars, an apartment and tuition fees for his grandchildren. The Trump Organization and Weisselberg, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to what a New York prosecutor called a 'sweeping and audacious' tax fraud, arising from a probe into Trump's business and its practices. Trump told thousands of supporters: 'They go after good hard working people for not paying taxes on a company car. Or a company apartment. Or education for your grandchildren. But they indict people for that. 'But for murder or for selling massive amounts of the worst drugs in the world, that's ok. 'Think of how unfair it is. Never before has New York City and their prosecutors criminally charged a company or a person for fringe benefits. Murder is OK, human trafficking is no problem, but fringe benefits you can't do.' He added: 'It's really called prosecutorial misconduct. It's a terrible, terrible thing.' He railed against the charges in New York and compared the prosecutors to Third World dictators. 'This is the kind of persecution they are doing - as an example in New York and they're doing it all over - that you would see in a Third World nation. This isn't for us, it's reminiscent of a communist dictatorship targeting your political opponents for really it is, think of it, prosecution. They prosecute people, good people, fabulous people, people who love our country.' Trump said financial companies that caused the financial crash, or Democrats like Hillary Clinton or Hunter Biden were never investigated. 'They leave Democrats alone no matter how bad they are but mobilize every power of government to come after me, my family, my wonderful employees and my company solely because of politics,' he said. 'They want to do things to hurt us.' Trump's audience lapped up his attacks, booing the villains of the story and cheering Trump's defiance. Supporter Russell Kasper, 45, said the timing of the court appearance, just as the former president, returns to the rally stage was suspect. 'It's very odd timing,' he said. 'I'm not someone who thinks Trump is perfect or who has never done anything wrong - but it looks as if they are out to get him.' The rally, billed as a Fourth of July celebration, drew tens of thousands of people to a grassy fairground Trump unloaded his fury after a week that included seeing an employee paraded into court in handcuffs 'The Biden administration has launched an all-out assault on everything we cherish' Trump also hit out at woke culture which he claimed has put July Fourth celebrations at risk of being cancelled. To roars from the crowd he said: 'Tomorrow we will celebrate 245 years of glorious American independence, and it won't be cancelled by the way. 'We will teach young people across the country that George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock will forever be American heroes. People want to take their names off buildings, can you believe it. 'They took names off buildings like George Washington, and I told you this is where they're coming from. We're not going to let that happen.' He continued: 'The mission for all of us here tonight is to preserve the legacy July 4th 1776, and to defend our liberty from the radical left movement that seeks to cancel this date, demolish our heritage, and destroy our beloved nation. 'In just five months the Biden administration has launched an all-out assault on everything we cherish and we value. 'Under Joe Biden and the left - I don't know if it's Joe to be honest with you. It's somebody, does anybody know who it is? 'Free speech is under assault like never before. Religious liberty is being crushed.' Trump also hit out at woke culture which he claimed has put July Fourth celebrations at risk of being cancelled Donald Trump Jr. speaks to his father's supporters during the Save America rally at the Sarasota Fairgrounds 'I traveled to the southern border to witness Joe Biden's demolition of American sovereignty' Trump also described his visit to the border this week, contrasting his policies with those of Biden who he described as responsible for the 'willful and deliberate' destruction of immigration controls. He said: 'Three days ago I traveled to the southern border to witness Joe Biden's demolition of American sovereignty first hand. 'The Biden administration's willful and deliberate obliteration of America's borders and immigration law is a crime against this nation. 'We will not stop and we will not rest until illegal policies are overturned and there's so many of them.' He hailed his own achievements at the border, saying: 'When I left office we had the most secure border in US history. We ended catch and release, we ended asylum fraud. 'We stopped the migrant caravans. You remember the caravans? They are coming back like never before.' And he said Democrats' policies of ending cash bail and defunding the police were responsible for spreading the 'nightmare of lawlessness. 'The bloodshed is beyond belief,' he said. The rally ended with a fireworks display for supporters at the Sarasota Fairgrounds The Florida trip was his second campaign-style rally since leaving office, a mass gathering of the MAGA faithful as he seeks to retain his grip on the Republican Party 'We have a truly sick election system' Trump's remarks included a Fourth of July flavor, tying his election defeat to the spirit of the American Revolution. 'We have a truly sick election system,' he said after revisiting familiar, unfounded complaints about last year's election and promising to restore the time-honored tradition of voting in person on election day. He said: 'The evidence of fraud, irregularities and illegalities is already overwhelming, and frankly it was a long time ago. 'Democrats used Covid to cheat - they illegally changed the rules in the key states and mailed out millions and millions of absentee ballots all over.' He added: 'Remember this: I am not the one trying to undermine American democracy. I am the one trying to save American democracy.' But nobody, he said could take away Americans' God-given right to liberty. 'Our movement is up against some of the most sinister forces and entrenched interests that anyone can imagine,' he said. 'But no matter how powerful or how big they may seem, you must never forget this nation does not belong to them. This nation belongs to you.' Trump stoked speculation that he is serious about mounting a 2024 run even though he says he won't make an announcement until after next year's midterms Trump's remarks included a Fourth of July flavor, tying his election defeat to the spirit of the American Revolution 'Who shot Ashli Babbitt? We all saw the hand, we all saw the gun' Midway through an attack on Mitch McConnell, saying Republicans needed to get a real leader, Trump pivoted to the events of January 6 when his supporters raided the Capitol building and one was shot dead by law enforcement. 'And by the way, who shot Ashli Babbitt? Who shot Ashli Babbitt? We all saw the hand, we all saw the gun,' he said, adding to the chorus of rightwing voices demanding to know the identity of the police officer who killed the Capitol Hill rioter. 'I spoke to her mother the other day, and her brother. Just devastated ...' The Department of Justice closed the case after determining that 35-year-old Babbitt, a 14-year-military veteran, was shot in self-defense by a police officer. 'If that were on the other side the person that did the shooting would be strung up,' said Trump. 'Now they don't want to give the name. People know the name.' The Florida trip was his second campaign-style rally since leaving office Trump used the rally to tease his fans about a possible presidential run in 2024. 'We are looking at the election, more than looking at it,' he said 'We are looking at the election, more than looking at it' Trump used the rally to tease his fans about a possible presidential run in 2024. 'We are looking at the election, more than looking at it,' he said, prompting cheers from the Sarasota crowd. The former president retains a strong grip on his party. Some 53 percent of Republicans still believe that Trump won last year's election, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. He has previously said he won't make an announcement on a potential 2024 campaign until after next year's midterms. His spokeswoman Liz Harrington has said: 'Not only does he feel the country is in a dire situation, he wants to be out there giving hope to our supporters and Americans who are really worried about their country. 'What is happening is not America and we need to stand up for our country on a weekend like this, celebrating our history.' The rally at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds is the latest event as Trump eases back into public campaigning People wait for the arrival of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the rally At the same time, many Republicans see DeSantis as an attractive candidate. His standing grew as Florida reopened early from the coronavirus pandemic and he has been at the head of Republican fights against racial justice protests and voting reform. In a recent straw poll of possible 2024 candidates in Denver he even beat Trump by 74 percent to 71 percent. Trump aides were forced to deny they had been asked to postpone Saturday's campaign-style rally, amid reports DeSantis's team asked for a delay while the state was still recovering bodies from the collapsed building. But advisers and former staff close to the two Republican figureheads say reports of tensions are overblown. 'It's a media creation,' said Sam Nunberg, Trump's former campaign adviser. 'People are just looking for splits that don't exist.' Helen Aguirre Ferre, executive director of the Florida Republican Party and a former communications director for the governor, said: 'Any idea of a rift comes from anonymous sources who don't put their names on the records is pretty tell-tale. 'If it was well-founded information they should go on the record.' A 15-year-old boy has been killed as he tried to help an elderly couple whose car was involved in a minor crash. John Keegan, 15, was hit and killed by a passing truck at the notoriously dangerous intersection on Mitchell Highway near Orange on Friday night. The keen rugby league player was a passenger in his friend's ute when the 17-year-old driver rear-ended the couple's BMW hatchback as they waited to turn right. John Keegan, 15, (pictured) was tragically hit and killed by a truck as he tried to help the elderly passengers of a BMW hatchback after a minor incident near Orange on Friday night The 15-year-old had been a passenger in his friend's ute when the 17-year-old driver rear-ended the BMW as the couple waited to turn right at an intersection on Mitchell Highway (pictured) The 15-year-old got out of the ute to check on the passengers inside the BMW, a 71-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man, the Daily Telegraph reported. What was described as a 'minor' accident quickly escalated when a truck travelling in the opposite direction collided with the Good Samaritan and the two vehicles. John's grieving parents Jason and Penny Keegan described their son as an adventurous, cheeky and caring young man. 'Despite this being a heartbreaking time for the entire family, we are so proud that the caring qualities he displayed throughout his life were exemplified in his final moments,' they said. John leaves behind two older sisters Xanthe and Bonnie, three younger siblings Eva, Freya and Beau, as well as dozens of heartbroken extended family and friends. His parents said the close friendships the 15-year-old formed with so many was testament to his fun-loving and loyal nature. They thanked the Orange community for the influx of love and support, as well as the emergency crews that attended the tragic scene. A GoFundMe page set up by a friend of the family Georgia Gibson, described the teenager as 'a respected young man with an infectious personality and love for family, friends and life'. The teenager, who was a keen rugby league player, has been remembered as a 'thoughtful and considerate young man' who will be mourned by the Orange community 'The Keegan's are a loving and respected family, well known for their contributions to our sporting and school communities.' Ms Gibson said just minutes before Penny Keegan lost John in the horrific accident, she received news her mother died. The fundraiser is collecting donations to ease the family's emotional and financial burden to finance two funerals, and has already raised $26,346. On Sunday morning, the Orange City Rugby Union Club players held a one-minute silence to honour the teenager. 'Yesterday we all woke to some very sad news, with the sudden and tragic passing of one of our own who played in the 16s, John Keegan,' a post on Facebook read. 'His family have been a part of our club since his father Jason strapped on the boots for us in the late 80's/90's.' First responders were confronted with an 'absolutely horrific scene' on Friday night, as described by NSW Ambulance Inspector Peter Rowlands. 'You couldn't sit down and add up the number of people this is going to affect, including the young man's family,' he said. On Sunday morning, the Orange City Rugby Union Club players held a one-minute silence to honour the teenager The government was alerted to the danger of the intersection as recently as February, cited in a letter penned by a concerned motorist. The resident urged Transport for NSW to execute road upgrades after sighting several near-collisions, which led to the installation of new warning signs and repainted road lines, with plans to widen the road within the next year. The 17-year-old driver of the Toyota ute and the elderly couple were taken to Orange Hospital in a stable condition, where the 71-year-old woman was treated for a fractured pelvis. The 74-year-old driver of the truck was also taken to hospital for mandatory testing. A crime scene was initiated with the crash investigation unit to investigate, with a report to be prepared for the coroner. Two of Australia's top jockeys appear to have breached Covid restrictions by racing cane toads at a Queensland pub while subject to Sydney lcokdown rules. Hugh Bowman and James McDonald are being investigated by racing NSW stewards after they were spotted out in Port Douglas on Thursday night. The pair competed at Sydney's Canterbury race meeting on June 23 before flying to Queensland that night - arriving just hours before the state closed its borders to Harbour City residents. Under Queensland Government rules, anyone who had arrived in the state from Sydney since June 21 is required to isolate for 14 days. James McDonald and his partner Channel 7 presenter Katelyn Mallyon (pictured) were filmed at a cane toad racing event at a Port Douglas pub on Thursday night McDonald and Bowman (pictured with his wife Christine) are now being invested by NSW racing stewards over a potential breach of Covid regulations But Bowman, McDonald, and his Channel 7 presenter girlfriend Katelyn Mallyon, attended a cane toad racing event at Hemingway's Brewery on July 1. Also at the pub was Sydney socialite Kate Waterhouse and her ex-NRL star husband Luke Ricketson. Footage of McDonald and Bowman blowing party horns at toads to make them jump was later posted to Twitter by bookmaker Rob Waterhouse, Kate's father. The video was deleted minutes later, but had already been obtained by A Current Affair , sparking a probe into whether health directives had been breached. Mr Waterhouse, and his wife horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, appeared to have entered the holiday town on June 20, according to social media posts, meaning they were not under stay-at-home conditions. It remains unclear when Ms Mallyon arrived in the state and whether she was subject to isolation requirements. Queensland Health told the publication in a statement it had not received any exemption requests from the two horse riders. Footage of the two jockeys at the event (pictured) was posted on Twitter, before it was swiftly deleted Queensland Police and NSW racing stewards are now making enquiries to determine if any regulations have been violated. 'The Queensland Police Service is aware of the incident and is currently making inquiries,' police said. Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel confirmed the matter was under investigation, saying the jockeys could face further action once they returned to Sydney. 'Theyre up there at the moment and theyre obviously subject to the Queensland authorities and whatever they decide to do,' Van Gestel told the Courier Mail. 'Its obviously disappointing. 'They left on the 23rd and the Queensland orders were that anyone that had been in Greater Sydney from the 21st had to self isolate for 14 days.' Bowman is known for riding champion mare Winx, while McDonald is Australia's number one ranked jockey. The duo were due to race at the Eagle Farm meeting in Brisbane on June 26, which was cancelled after the city's Covid outbreak. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for further comment. Face masks could be required on public transport and at busy indoor venues in Australia to curb the spread of Covid-19 for years to come even after everyone is vaccinated, some experts claim. Infectious disease specialists said on Sunday that the jab is the key to keeping the virus under control once the nation opens its borders to countries with vastly different health strategies. But they also said Covid-19 will be in the community for years, and face coverings will still be required to to keep potential outbreaks at bay. This is despite the US Center for Disease Control's recommendation that face coverings were no longer necessary for fully-vaccinated Americans in mid-May. Pictured: Commuters wearing masks walk past a sign telling residents to wear face masks on public transport Pictured: A woman wearing a face mask in Sydney on July 3, amid city-wide lockdowns due to an outbreak of Covid University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely told the Herald Sun vaccination alone may not be enough to containing infections. 'We won't be throwing away masks, we will still be wearing them on public transport, for example,' he said. 'We will be wearing them indoors when there is a community outbreak.' Similarly, Burnet Institute director Brendan Crabb said the virus wasn't about to disappear and that Australians have to prepare for tightened measures to reduce the chance of widespread illness and more deaths. 'It won't just be vaccines for the next few years or so. The more that we all buy into that governments and individuals then the earlier we can open,' he said. The use of vaccines and face masks into the future would potentially abolish the need for harsh lockdowns. Pictured: People in Melbourne walking past a public health sign Experts also said home testing should be used long term to stop people who are sick from going to work or school. Global health and population expert Nancy Baxter said people should get used to wearing masks, but that public buildings should consider better ventilation systems to reduce airborne transmission once the virus is in the community. On Saturday, two residents at Summit Care's aged care facility in Baulkham Hills, north-west Sydney, tested positive to Covid - even though they were fully vaccinated with Pfizer. On Saturday, two residents of Summit Care's aged care facility in Baulkham Hills, north-west Sydney, tested positive to Covid. Pictured: Shoppers wearing face masks in Sydney on July 3 The facility said two of the residents were taken to hospital. 'Two of the three residents, who are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, were transferred to Westmead Hospital last night as a precautionary measure for their safety and wellbeing, and that of the other residents and staff,' it said. 'The residents are showing no symptoms and are in good spirits.' The facility was been locked down as it undergoes a deep clean. One woman said her father tested positive to Covid-19 despite getting the jab in April. 'He shares a room with my mum,' she tweeted. 'They have been together since they were 13. Married 65 years. He is blind and won't even know where he is. How terrifying.' An 8-year-old and a 9-year-old boy have been charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly killing a man who was shot with a rifle while cutting down brush in a South Carolina field, authorities said. Both boys shot at Danny Andrew Smith with a rifle as he rode his tractor in the field near Westminster on June 23, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said in a statement. Smith, 62, was shot once in the back, but investigators charged both boys because they both fired the gun in Smith's direction, Crenshaw said. The boys are charged as juveniles in Family Court and their names were not released. Under South Carolina law, they are too young to be kept at a juvenile jail so they were released to their parents, the sheriff said. Deputies have the .22 caliber rifle used to kill Smith, but Crenshaw said investigators are not releasing how the boys got the rifle or why they shot at Smith. Both boys shot at Danny Andrew Smith, pictured, with a rifle as he rode his tractor in the field near Westminster on June 23 His sister Vickie Wilbanks talked about the tragedy with WSPA about the horrific tragedy Smith's wife Marilynn found him slumped over in the driver's seat of his tractor after it ran into woods and struck a tree. An autopsy found he had been shot in the back about four to six hours before his body was found. His sister Vickie Wilbanks talked about the tragedy with WSPA about the horrific tragedy. 'It's a very difficult time because we haven't gotten over losing our parents three days apart and now I've lost the only brother I have,' Wilbanks told the outlet. Wilbanks said her brother was 'bush hogging' her parents property at 1490 Coffee Road when Smith was shot. 'We were just devastated. Devastated, and heartbroken because he is such a precious man. Never would harm anyone. Everyone loved him,' Wilbanks said. Neighbor Haskell Long, who lives near the family's property, told WSPA that Smith's death was a 'shock' and speculated that the death might have been an accident. Wilbanks said her brother was 'bush hogging' her parents property at 1490 Coffee Road, pictured, when Smith was shot An aerial view shows the property where Smith was shot last month 'It was really a shock. Nobody expects something like this where we live. It's just something you don't hear of, and knowing Danny, he don't have any enemies. I have no clue about anyone that would shoot him,' Long said. 'Just seems like it must be an accident, but we just don't know what kind or how, or anything like that. Real shocking to all of us.' Long added: 'We feel terrible that something like this happened and the loss of him. He was just such a great person. I just hate to lose someone like that.' According to his obituary, Smith was retired from US Engine Valve and served as a volunteer fireman with the Cleveland Fire Department Station 10. Smith's greatest passion was riding his Harley, according to his obituary. A man is fighting for his life after staggering into a hospital with a gunshot wound to his face. The 27-year-old presented himself to Lyell McEwin Hospital at Elizabeth Vale, in Adelaide's north, before 7pm on Saturday. He was then rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition to be treated for his 'life-threatening' injuries. A man is fighting for his life at Royal Adelaide Hospital after he was shot in the face on Saturday night South Australia Police believe the man had been shot at Munno Para West (stock image) South Australia Police believe the man was shot at Munno Para West. They are still looking for the gunman and believe it was a targeted shooting. 'The investigation is in its early stages but this is not thought to be a random incident,' police said. Anyone with information that may assist police with their investigation is urged to contact police. Working families will be thousands of dollars worse off over the next four years as wages fall behind the cost of living. The Federal Government's May budget forecast wage growth would be outpaced by the cost of living over the next two years. It will finally increase and reach the same level over the third and fourth years. Families on average household incomes are likely to be down anywhere between $9,000 and $21,000. A couple earning $170,000 will be $3,800 worse off this year, and $4,300 next year. Australian working families are expected to become $21,000 worse off over the next four years as wages fall behind the cost of living (stock image) Their loss is expected to skyrocket to $21,000 by the end of the four years. A single parent family will also lose out on $9,114 throughout the same period. The figures are based on modelling commissioned by Labor deputy leader Richard Marles. Mr Marles said the massive wage loss was a kick in the guts for hardworking families. 'Based on the government's own numbers, over the next four years the pay of working Australians will not keep pace with the cost of living that is, Aussies will be working more and affording less,' he told Herald Sun. A single parent family will also lose out on $9,114 throughout the same period (stock image) 'Families are going to be forced to make really tough decisions all because of this government.' The low and middle-income tax offset was extended for another year in the May budget and will provide a tax break from up to $1,080 when 2021/22 tax returns are lodged next year. 'This is more money to spend in local businesses, giving them the confidence to take on an extra worker, offer an extra shift or buy a new piece of equipment,' Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said in a joint statement. For businesses with an annual turnover below $50 billion their tax rate will fall to 25 per cent from 26 per cent, the last in a series of incremental reductions. Bigger businesses will still be paying a tax rate of 30 per cent. A Christian podcaster has filmed himself abusing staff at a Sydney cafe after being asked to wear a mask in a bizarre tirade comparing the health directive to rape. Dominic Karnaby stormed into Bespoke and Grind, in Marrickville, on Saturday without a face mask, which are mandatory in public indoor settings as the locked-down city battles a Covid outbreak. A sign by the till requests customers wear masks before entering the coffee shop, which is one of several restrictions cast over businesses by state health authorities to ensure regulations are followed. But despite the protocol, Karnaby flew into an irrational rage when asked why he was not masked, and launched a blistering attack accusing a waitress of 'intimidation' before posting footage of the confrontation on Instagram. 'Excuse me, do you have a mask on you?' a waitress asks politely in the clip, before requesting Karnaby step outside. The religious blogger hectors the hospitality worker, questioning her authority to enforce the rule before claiming he has a medical exemption. 'Who are you, sorry?' Are you the government? No. Are you the police? No,' he hounds. 'I have an exemption! So just know your rights, but also know that I have rights as well. I have asthma, I have a breathing complication so I can't wear a mask.' Standing behind the register, the owner tries to calm the hostile patron down, but her repeated efforts to softly interject by uttering 'excuse me' are ignored. 'If someone is being raped do you go and tell them that they are not allowed to feel those feelings that they are being raped and abused by somebody?' Karnaby said as his rant continued. 'This should be a safe space for everybody and I am not going to stand for it. 'Some of these muppets over here might tolerate it, but not me, my friend.' The cafe's owner calmly tried to de-escalate the situation, but Karnaby continued to rant at workers, accusing them of 'intimidation' A second video showed Karnaby continuing to berate the staff, accusing them of 'intimidation' and threatening to make them 'go viral' after the owner calmly explained his reaction was not warranted. 'Excuse me, all you needed to say was ''I have an exemption". That's all,' she explains. Karnaby said: 'You need to get that guy into line, it is disgusting how he just treated me. 'The intimidation needs to stop. Do you want to go viral? You are already going to.' Karnaby, who appeared to have his phone out ready to film before he was asked by to comply with the mask rule, shared the footage over his social media account later that evening, claiming he was the victim of 'bullying'. 'This my friends is the gold class standard of how the free are being treated in a Covid-normal world this has gotta stop!' he wrote. 'Its ok to be exempt it's ok to know your rights and not be bullied out of a cafe.' Karnaby appeared to already have his phone out filming a sign at the Marrickville cafe's register (pictured) moments before the confrontation The webseminar host urged his followers to 'down' the store's rating and said he wanted to 'see them closed for this level of discrimination'. Under NSW health regulations, residents must wear face masks on public transports and in non-residential indoor settings, with breaches attracting a $200 fine. The public health order includes exemptions such as having a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable. Days before lockdown, workplace advisory Employsure informed businesses they would need to 'set the standard and ensure all staff, customers, and clients abide by new regulations to protect from the latest Covid cluster', which now stands at 242. 'These affected businesses, particularly those in Sydney, cater to hundreds, if not thousands of customers and workers each day,' Emplosure Health and Safety manager Larry Drewsen said in a statement. 'Employers must remain vigilant over the next week and realise the responsibility falls directly on them.' Karnaby runs the Drayk Podcast show, which features him interviewing 'successful business owners, to pastors and actors about their faith and how it helps them revolutionise around them', according to the program's Spotify description. He also uses his talk show to spruik his 'anti-lockdown' sentiment, and frequently shares anti-mask posts with his 2,000 Instagram followers. Bespoke and Grind declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia about the incident over the weekend and Karnaby is yet to respond. Advertisement Violent clashes broke out between rival protesters outside a Los Angeles spa after viral video showed a customer complaining about a transgender woman who allegedly exposed their penis in front of minors in a women-only steam room. Hordes of people showed up outside of Wi Spa on Wilshire Boulevard to support a woman who had complained about the alleged exposure incident when they were met by Antifa counter-protesters supporting transgender rights. Protesters were seen assaulting an independent journalist who was hit in the head with what appears to be a pipe, video posted to Twitter shows. It was not immediately clear if the protesters were in support of or against transgender rights. The protests came after a video was posted to an Instagram account with the username Cubana Angel which shows the furious woman complaining to a spa staff member about the alleged exposure. 'So, it's OK for a man to go into the women's section, show his penis around the other women, young little girls, underage, in your spa? Wi Spa condones that, is that what you're saying?' the woman asks. The staff member's response remains unclear as it is difficult to hear their response behind the Plexiglas at the counter. However, Fox News reported that the clerk appeared to say that the transgender customer was protected by California law. Protesters and counter-protester clash at the protest in support of transgender rights gather outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles Wi Spa security intervenes after a counter protester was chased at the protest in support of transgender rights LAPD officers face off with protesters in support of transgender rights who had gathered outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles Police clashed with protesters at the Wi Spa in Los Angeles after the video went viral LAPD officers face off with protesters in support of transgender rights who had gathered outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles LAPD officers face off with protesters in support of transgender rights who had gathered outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles In the video, other customers can be heard trying to intervene and defend the transgender customer. 'Are you talking about a transgender person?' one man asks. 'There is no such thing as transgender,' the woman replies. 'He has a d**k.' 'You're being a d**k,' the man replies. The video sparked a protest against transgender people using the spa steam room, which was met by a counter-project by Antifa activists. Melees broke out between the two groups, and they brawled in the streets before Los Angeles police in riot gear stepped in. The protests came after a video was posted to Instagram by an account named Cubana Angel (left) which shows the furious woman complaining to a spa staff member (right) about the alleged exposure The video sparked a protest against transgender people using the spa steam room, which was met by a counter-project by Antifa activists Melees broke out between the two groups, and they brawled in the streets before Los Angeles police in riot gear stepped in Protesters could be seen brawling in the street as police declared the demonstrations as an unlawful assembly A counter protester holds a sign saying ''Shame on Wi Spa'' at the protest in support of transgender rights near the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles Lily Weaver joins protesters in support of transgender people as they gathered across the street from the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles Koreatown resident and Wi Spa patron Brittany Blackhorn joins protesters in support of transgender rights who gathered across the street from the Wi Spa Jamie Penn, co-chair of Organizer Collective joins protesters in support of transgender rights as they gather outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles in support of the business after a viral video complained that they allowed a transgender woman in the spa Anti-transgender protesters chanted 'save our children,' while wearing shirts that read 'f**k pedowood.' The protesters also appeared to conflate being transgender with pedophilia, with signs and chants that said: 'pedophile is not a sexual orientation.' In other footage, 'leftist counter protesters' were seen scuffling with police who had formed a line between the two groups, reporter Sam Braslow noted. Police later declared the demonstrations as an unlawful assembly and pushed counter protesters back behind a garbage fire. One officer allegedly fired a less lethal round at a counter protester, Braslow reported. Some of the protesters wore paramilitary gear including flak vests while carrying weapons, the videos show. Rows of police cruisers and SUVs can be seen parked on the street. Counter-protesters stand behind a police line and preach about Jesus to protesters gathered in support of transgender rights A bloodied counter-protester taunts the crowd as he stands behind a line of police after being injured in a clash with protesters A bloodied counter-protester taunts the crowd as he stands behind a line of police after being injured in a clash with protesters Counter-protesters preach about Jesus to protesters gathered in support of transgender rights A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told Fox News on Saturday that 'no arrests had been made but at least five crimes had been reported against five separate victims.' 'Three of them were victims of assault and battery, and the other two were assault with deadly weapon,' he said. Wi Spa said in a statement that California's anti-discrimination law protects transgender people but said it would not tolerate 'lewd conduct' by customers. 'As a spa located in Los Angeles, Wi Spa complies with California law prohibiting discrimination by a business, including the Civil Code provision set forth above,' the statement reads. 'Like many other metropolitan areas, Los Angeles contains a transgender population, some of whom enjoy visiting a spa. Wi Spa strives to meet the needs and safety of all of its customers, and does not tolerate harassment or lewd conduct by any customer, regardless of their sex, gender, or other characteristic.' Protesters in support of transgender rights gather outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles in support of the business after a viral video complained that they allowed a transgender woman in the spa Protesters clash with a counter protester outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles Protesters clash with a counter protester outside the Wi Spa in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles A man who burned his house down after trying to cook a steak in a toaster has complained his $400,000 insurance payout isn't going to cut it. The New Zealand man caused severe fire damage to the home he shares with his partner after making the ill-advised decision to forgo the use of a frying pan. He left the slab of meat cooking in the toaster while he ducked out to buy chips from a local takeaway shop, returning to find his home ablaze. A New Zealand man who burnt his house down after trying to cook a steak in a toaster has complained his $400,000 insurance payout isn't going to cut it (stock image) The man's insurance company paid $418,000 for the severe fire damage on the home, an amount he argued wasn't enough to rebuild the property (stock image) After lodging a request with his insurance company, the man was disappointed to discover his policy wasn't going to dish out as much as he had hoped. The company paid $418,000 for the severe fire damage on the home, the maximum that could be paid under the couple's policy, Stuff reported. Unsatisfied with this amount, the couple argued it wasn't sufficient to rebuild their home and asked the insurer to pay them out a further $200,000. Their case is now being dealt with the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman complaints scheme. The homeowners argue that it was not made clear to them that their policy changed from replacement cover to total sum insured. However IFSO have counter-argued the insurer had paid the maximum they were entitled to, and said the couple were adequately informed of this policy change. Karen Stevens, the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman in New Zealand said the couple's lack of understanding of the cost to rebuild their home had added undue stress Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman Karen Stevens, said understanding the annual insurance renewal process was crucial. 'Every year, everyone with insurance policies receives a renewal offer that can amend or change the policy that they originally signed', she explained. Ms Stevens said most insurers now offered total sum insurance, meaning a property is insured for a set price. If homeowners don't do their homework and insure their home for too low a sum, the payout they receive can feel inadequate, she said. Pictured: Tim Grafton, the chief executive of the Insurance Council in New Zealand However, in this particular incident Ms Stevens said the fire was avoidable, and urged residents to use cooking appliances for the purpose they are designed. 'Cooking steak in a toaster is literally a recipe for disaster', she said. 'To have then left the house and toaster unattended for the sake of hot chips must be a constant source of regret.' Tim Grafton, the chief executive of the Insurance Council, explained that almost all insurance policies had changed from total replacement to sum insured after the Canterbury Earthquakes. However, there has since been a call for policies to offer full replacement cover for fire damage. Mr Grafton said research done in the last few years had revealed half of people didn't know to insure their homes for the cost to rebuild, rather than its market value. 'Our advice on sum insured is to use the calculators, and to try a few of them. Things like hard to access areas, retaining walls, being on steep hillsides, can all add to the costs', he advised. 'If in any doubt, your house is often your biggest asset so spend the money on an expert working out the rebuild costs if you have unusual features.' Unisex army uniforms have been drawn up to combat complaints from female troops that the men's shirt and armour doesn't fit. The high-tech Virtus armour has been redesigned for women - like Michelle Keegan's Our Girl character Georgie Lane - with a tighter fit at the arms allowing for more accurate shooting. The standard-issue Army shirt will come in smaller sizes and be shortened so that female soldiers don't need to tuck their pockets into their belts. Serious concerns were raised about the new 250 million Virtus battle equipment system when it was first trialled by female troops two years ago, with some suffering career-threatening leg injuries trying to carry the heavy gear. The high-tech Virtus battle equipment system has also been redesigned for women - like Michelle Keegan's Our Girl character Georgie Lane (pictured) - with a tighter fit allowing for more accurate shooting The MoD's state-of-the-art Virtus body armour system has been overhauled for female troops Now it will have narrower straps, a shorter torso and a smaller chest to allow a more snug fit around the shoulders and provide smooth arm movements. The new kit tailored for women will be available next month, according to The Sun. It comes after controversy around the MoD's new Virtus battle equipment when it was first trialled by female troops two years ago. They complained that the 90-litre capacity rucksack was too big while the webbing pouches used to carry magazines and worn around the waist hurt their hips, which are naturally wider than a man's. Troops who suffered lower-limb injuries while wearing Virtus include the first female Royal Marine recruit, Philippa Birch. The super-fit international rower spent months recovering from a stress fracture after collapsing during a march over Dartmoor. At the time she was carrying equipment weighing 70 lb and a rifle. Previously, female military personnel had not been expected to carry heavy equipment over rough terrain for long periods. Now they're expected to do so to the same standard as men. More than 94,000 sets of the Virtus armour are set to be delivered by this year and the MoD says the overwhelming majority of the feedback has been positive, with respondents saying it is lighter and more comfortable than the kit it replaced. A Ministry spokesman said: 'Lighter body armour and backpacks make close combat roles more accessible and help our soldiers be more mobile on the battlefield.' According to the MoD, Virtus is 10 lb lighter and better fitting than older body armour systems. It first arrived in 2016 to replace its predecessor the Osprey Assault Body Armour. Tyson Foods recalled recalling nearly 8.5million pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken over fears of possible exposure to a harmful bacteria. The products were made at a plant in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26, 2020 and April 13, 2021, according to a statement released by the company Saturday night. 'We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety,' Scott Brooks, Tyson Foods senior vice president for food safety and quality assurance, said in the statement. The recall includes Tyson branded products and private label products for restaurants - including Little Caesars, Jets Pizza, Caseys General Store and Marcos Pizza. Tyson recalled 8.5million pounds of frozen chicken over concerns that they could be contaminated The recalled chicken is believed to have been made in the company's Missouri plant A full list of retailers that sold the affected products - each stamped with establishment code P-7089 - will be posted on the US Department of Agriculture's website in the near future. The recall comes a month after the Food Safety and Inspection Service was notified of two people becoming ill with listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated food. According to the CDC, an estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. After the FSIS was notified about the two people's infection on on June 9, it worked with the CDC and state public health partners and determined there was could be a link between the infection and precooked Tyson chicken products. 'While there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution,' the US meat processor said. This is the full list of recalled Tyson products. These are some examples of the recalled Tyson products The FSIS said in a statement that it's concerned that some products may be in consumer and institutional freezers. 'Consumers should not eat these products. Institutions should not serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,' FSIS said in its statement. Queensland has recorded just one locally acquired case of Covid-19 as the entire state exits lockdown. The infection was announced on Sunday morning and is linked to a known cluster at a Portuguese restaurant in Brisbane's south-west, which later spread to a Greek community centre. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was another potential case 'under investigation', but the low numbers were 'good news'. 'It appears that everything is under control at this point in time. We are very, very relieved about that,' she said at her daily press conference. There was just one new local case of Covid-19 recorded in Queensland on Sunday morning. Pictured: Women with face masks on in Brisbane Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured right) also said there is one case currently under investigation Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said the case under investigation was a close contact of a known infection. 'There is another person of interest that I am doing further testing on, another close contact from the Greek community centre. So just working through whether or not that is a case,' Dr Young said. She also explained that a potential case mentioned in Saturday's figures turned out to be a false positive. 'If you remember, I mentioned the worker at the domestic terminal of Brisbane Airport who tested positive on a surveillance test,' she said. 'We have gone and done repeat testing, multiple repeat testing on different platforms and it has confirmed that that was a false positive. So that person was not a case.' Ms Palaszczuk said further details about the possible second infection would be released on Sunday afternoon, and the community would be alerted if there was anything to worry about. The confirmed case - which is the Alpha strain of Covid, rather than the more contagious Indian Delta variant - has been admitted to hospital. There were more than 14,000 tests conducted overnight on Saturday. Pictured: Health workers are seen conducting coronavirus testing at a Covid-19 testing site at Highgate Hill in Brisbane Brisbane and Moreton Bay were released from lockdown at 6pm on Saturday, despite five new cases. One was linked to the Portuguese restaurant cluster - a case Dr Young described as 'no risk'. Another man had also visited the restaurant who works at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which is now a high-exposure site. A woman in her 50s who works at Prince Charles Hospital tested positive despite having his first dose of AstraZeneca. People living in Southeast Queensland, Townsville, and Palm Island still have to wear masks outside and in public spaces where social distancing can't be maintained. 'I know that it is a big ask for people in those south-east LGA's and Townsville to continue wearing their masks and checking in,' Ms Palaszczuk said. 'But we do need all stick together for the next 12 days. We still have a long way to go.' She asked Queenslanders to follow three simple rules; get tested if you're feeling unwell, wear a mask whenever you're in public and check in to every venue they visit. Dr Young urged people to follow the rules and continue checking into venues using QR codes. New South Wales has recorded 16 new local cases of Covid-19, raising hopes the two-week lockdown in Sydney will not be extended. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday that 14 of the cases were linked to previously confirmed infections. Thirteen were already in isolation, one was in isolation for part of their infectious period and the remaining two were in the community while infectious. Three residents at Summit Care's aged care facility in Baulkham Hills, western Sydney, also tested positive to the virus. The results come after 45,079 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. The figure is a positive sign that Sydney and surrounding regions are on track to come out of lockdown on July 9. New South Wales has recorded 16 new local cases of Covid-19 in a positive sign the two week lockdown in Sydney will not be extended NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday that 14 of the cases were linked to previously confirmed cases Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that even though numbers were trending in the right direction, just a handful of people 'doing the wrong thing' could derail it. But Sydneysiders have shown a more relaxed attitude to stay-at-home orders with crowds spotted gathering across the city over the weekend. Their behaviour has drawn criticism from TV personality Jonathan LaPaglia who claimed it for leaving him on the edge of PTSD. Ms Berejiklian said she was pleased to see the cases 'go the right way'. 'But I do say cautiously that that could still bounce around,' she said. 'And we've seen in the last few days how easy it is for people to unintentionally do the wrong thing, or intentionally do the wrong thing, and that can result in more cases which is something we don't want to see.' The relaxed approach from residents drew heavy criticism from TV personality Jonathan LaPaglia who said the attitude had left him on the verge of suffering from PTSD Ms Berejiklian has also reminded residents to follow lockdown instructions. 'So, we say to everybody, stay at home means stay at home,' she said. 'Only leave the house for exercise. Only leave the house when you absolutely have to. And please don't go visiting each other, because that's how the virus spreads.' LaPaglia, 51, told Stellar on Saturday that he was stunned after exiting quarantine in Sydney and seeing how many people in Australia did not follow the strict rules he became accustomed to in locked-down Los Angeles. 'After I quarantined here and I got out and no-one's social distancing, no-one's wearing masks I almost had PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder],' LaPaglia admitted to the publication. The actor, who lives in LA with his family, travelled back to Australia and entered two weeks of quarantine to shoot the new season of Australian Survivor earlier this year. State premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was pleased to see the 'numbers go the right way' Police officers are seen speaking with people sitting on benches on Bondi Beach's promenade on Friday afternoon Under NSW restrictions, people are allowed to exercise in groups of up to ten - and there is no suggestion these fitness fanatics were doing anything wrong In a case of culture shock, Jonathan says it was a big difference to Los Angeles, where coronavirus hit harder and residents followed restrictions more closely. 'I was freaked out for quite a number of weeks. People would want to shake my hand and I was like "what are you doing?"' he added. LaPaglia confessed the situation still has 'an impact' on him and that he wasn't used to Australia's much more laid back attitude towards the virus. 'I feel on some level we (Australia) have been so removed from what's been going on elsewhere. Covid has had such a huge impact in the rest of the world,' the reality show host said. Dr Chant said it was important Sydneysiders only left their homes when it was necessary. 'You are permitted to exercise,' she said. 'And can I just again stress the fact that outdoors is the less risky. So, rather than being tempted to have some people over, or neighbours over, or friends over into the house, walk. 'Enjoy the outdoors, walk around the block.' Residents were also seen enjoying a night out and drinking next door to a venue that was placed on the Covid-19 exposure list on Saturday night. 'After I quarantined here and I got out and [saw] no-one's social distancing, no-one's wearing masks I almost had PTSD,' LaPaglia admitted A large crowd were pictured queuing outside Mexican restaurant Calita on Campbell Parade on the northern end of the beach. The Porch and Parlour cafe and ceramics shop directly next door though is listed as an exposure site by New South Wales Health between 7.50am and 8.10am on Monday June 28. Bars and pubs have been allowed to serve customers drinks on the street as long as punters then move on and don't enter the premises. Daily Mail Australia understands a number of bars were offering the alcohol for customers to drink while they walked up and down the waterfront to prevent transmission of the virus. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said some local government areas allowed drinking on the streets as long as venues followed guidelines. 'There certainly are requirements around supplying alcohol in containers that are open, then moving out onto the street, where there might be some local government alcohol-free zone restrictions around that,' he said. 'But if you push that to one side, most importantly, this is an activity that sees people coming together in close proximity - I suspect these people aren't doing this alone, that there would be a group of people moving around.' A group of Sydney residents are seen hanging outside a Bondi bar on Saturday night after taking advantage of the venue's takeaway alcohol Many bars and restaurants in the Bondi area are selling alcohol for locals to drink while they walk, as they are allowed to do under Sydney's lockdown restrictions Some venues had been preparing cocktails all day, with locals encouraged to collect one as they head home or go for their daily exercise. The Porch and Parlour cafe and ceramics shop in Bondi Beach is directly next door to one kerbside bar, Calita. The cafe is a listed Covid-19 exposure site Dr Kerry Chant has also encouraged more residents to come forward for Covid-19 testing, turning her attention to inner-west and western Sydney suburbs. 'In terms of areas that we really want to encourage high rates of testing, around Fairfield, Marrickville Metro, Auburn, and just anyone with any mild symptoms,' she said. Dr Chant also said the outbreak at the Baulkham Hills aged care facility was also under control. 'That facility is in lockdown and there's been a program of testing, repeated testing of all the staff and the patients,' she said. A woman and man in their 80s and another man in their 90s tested positive to the virus on Saturday night. 'Now, pleasingly, those three individuals were fully vaccinated,' Dr Kerry Chant said. 'But out of the abundance of caution, they have been offered transfer to Westmead Hospital for observation, and to date no further residents have tested positive.' Advertisement A devastating mudslide which swept away homes and cars in a town in Japan has left two people dead and around 20 missing, according to officials. The deluge, which crashed into rows of houses following heavy rains in Atami, a town southwest of Tokyo, has left 130 properties damaged and many people feared dead. Emergency services made up of around 1,000 people including troops, firefighters and coast guard ships have been working to clear the mud from the streets and reach those thought to be trapped below. The aerial image shows the devastation of the mudslide that has ripped through homes in Izusan in Atami Rescue workers including firefighters, troops and the coastguard have been working to try and find survivors under the mud Two women have been confirmed dead and were discovered by coast guard services close to the sea. Around 121 people in Atami have been evacuated as the rain continues to pour, amid concerns of flash flooding in the area. Prime minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters 19 people had been rescued, while officials warned that the number of those unaccounted for may rise. 'The area is still having heavy rainfall, but arduous rescue efforts will continue,' he said. 'Please act as quickly as you can to stay safe.' Bystanders watched on in horror as the mudslide, which some captured on their mobile phones, devastated the seaside resort in Shizuoka prefecture. A bus was captured buried in the mud at the site of the landslide, which was triggered by torrential rainfall in the area Some houses were swept away into the sea by the landslide, leaving many without homes and others needing to evacuate Emergency services have been on the scene hoping to find some survivors under the wreckage Rescue workers remove debris from a house damaged the landslide in Atami The picture shows how the mudslide tore through the village, sweeping away homes and cars in the process Firefighters help a resident to evacuate her home following the devastating mudslide on Saturday, July 3 A local firefighters checks a car, which has landed upside down, after the mudslide tore through the area Izusan, the area hit by the mudslide, includes hot springs, residential areas and a famous Shinto shrine, a structure built to enshrine or house kami, spirits or holy powers or 'Gods'. Witnesses reported hearing a giant roar before watching their homes disappear under the waves of mud. Mariko Hattori, an interpreter who lives a short walk from where the tsunami-like torrent of mud struck, said: 'The first things I noticed were lots of emergency vehicles. I didn't know what happened at first. Then I was frightened when I saw the footage.' Weather forecasts predict that the rainfall is set to continue, with warnings of thunderstorms and showers for another week. Landslides are not uncommon in the country, but last year a government report showed a 50 per cent increase of incidents over the last 10 years. The report concluded that the trend reflected a rise in torrential rains experienced in the country due to climate change. According to the report, the average number of landslides per year was just over 1,000 between 2000 and 2009, but had jumped to 1,476 between 2010 and 2019. This image of a car which has been completely destroyed shows the extent of the damage that the mudslide has caused Search and rescue operations are conducted by firefighters and Japan Self-Defence Force More than 1,000 soldiers, firefighters and police have been conducting a huge search and rescue operation Members of Japanese Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) and rescue workers help residents to evacuate from their homes Firefighters from Tokyo have been brought in to help in the search and rescue operation A rescuers conducts a search operation with the help of a sniffer dog in the hopes of finding a survivor Rescue workers have been on the site in Atami, Shixuoka Prefecture in central Japan searching for survivors Rescuers have had to wade through mud as part of their search and rescue operation as the rain continues to fall This image shows the extent of the damage done by the mudslide, which has swept this house away In 2018, the country was hit by 3,459 landslides, triggered by heavy rainfall. In 2019, similar conditions triggered 1,996 landslides. Exactly one year ago, on July 4 2020, severe flooding hit the southern Japanese island of Kyushu following heavy rainfall, with millions ordered to evacuate their homes. The rainfall triggered 12 different landslide events and 77 people were killed. In a news conference held on Sunday, Shizuoka governor Heita Kawakatsu said land development upstream from the affected area may have played a role in the disaster. He said massive amounts of soil heaped up in the area were washed down. It is not known whether the development was the direct cause, but Mr Kawakatsu has said the land development will be investigated. Previous media reports show that a planned housing development in the area had been abandoned after its operator experienced a financial problem. A Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF) soldier carries a search dog at the site of the landslide A man removes mud with a bulldozer at the site of the landslide following torrential rain Chaos and disorder is plaguing the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Following the ending of coronavirus restrictions, residents are now having to deal with the non-stop of noise from nightlife generated by packed restaurants, bars and nightclubs. There are more than 100 venues in a packed area known as Hell Square and plenty of revelers keen to make up for a lost year of partying when bars and restaurants were either shut or operating in a limited capacity. Locals got used to the relative peace and quiet, but now with partying back in full swing residents say it is not just crazy crowds that are keeping locals awake at night, but crime too with drug dealing and muggings now a frequent occurrence. Following a year of shutdowns, bars and restaurants are in full swing in New York's trendy Lower East Side, but the resumption of noisy partying is making life miserable for residents. Pictured, people waiting outside The Slipper Room in the Lower East Side Drug dealing, muggings and noise lasting until past 4:30am are common It is similar to the disturbances that had affected Washington Square Park in recent weeks. The disruption continues until the small hours of the morning with shouting, screaming and even dancing on the roof of parked cars happening even at 3am. Reports from the New York Post suggest the NYPD are doing very little to quell the noise with complaints from residents continuing until past 4:30am on recent Sunday morning. The tools at the police's dispersal appears to be limited with just a summons for 'unreasonable noise' handed out to the perpetrators. 'It's like a breakdown of civilization,' said 62-year-old Patrick Walsh, to the Post, who claimed the noise was so bad it was as if the party was taking place in his own apartment. The NYPD are promising more patrols to combat the problem although few arrests have been made so far More than 1,000 complaints were logged in the area about sidewalk and street noise between January and June with late night partying continuing until 4:30am in some cases 'Nothing seems to be done. This needs to be looked upon, I believe, as an assault a physical assault upon our person.' 'They said this to me,"'Well, we didn't have a summer last year." As if they alone suffered the consequences of COVID,' he said. Other residents have said they are afraid to leave their home because of street sellers freely offering coke or weed, together with countless aggressive and drunk people in the area. 'It seemed like they were allowed to party until dawn and then the police would shut it down,' another woman said. 'It's incomprehensible to me.' Crime overall in the area has rocketed year-on-year with 85 assaults compared to 61 in 2020 and petty larcenies up from 375 to 563. More than 12 hate crimes have been reported compared with four in 2020 More than 1,000 complaints were logged in the area about sidewalk and street noise between January and June. Crime overall in the area has rocketed year-on-year with 85 assaults compared to 61 in 2020 (a 39 percent increase) and petty larcenies up from 375 to 563 (a 50 percent rise). More than 12 hate crimes have been reported compared with four in 2020. Random muggings also appear to be a common occurrence. On one weekend evening, a man had his wallet and watch stolen during an attack while waiting for an Uber. While attempting to fight the assailant, another three accomplices are said to have joined the assault leaving the victim with torn clothes and a bloody face. No arrests have been made, report the NYPD. On May 19, all pandemic restrictions, including mask mandates, social distancing guidelines, venue capacities and restaurant curfews were lifted by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo 'The post-Covid world has produced a new variation of Hell,' wrote Diem Boyd, the head of the L.E.S. Dwellers community group. 'Hundreds of transients and transplants without a scintilla of decency pour out of the bars, clubs, and outdoor party sheds, lured by a roving street DJ, mob our streets to what is akin to an illegal occupation.' The NYPD say they will address the problems by putting more officers on patrol going forward in order to tackle any large groups or unreasonable noise. In a recent attack, a man was mugged while waiting for an Uber and had his wallet and watch stolen. Pictured, women wait for an Uber after going out at night in the Lower East Side Crime has intensified in New York City as shootings, stabbings and rapes run rampant in the City That Never Sleeps Shootings, rape, stabbings and general mayhem are running rampant throughout the Five Boroughs with authorities seemingly unable to do anything to stop it. Latest official figures show murders citywide are up 12 percent from 189 at this time last year to 212 so far in 2021. Rapes are up from 650 to 684 in the year to June 27. Felony assaults are up from 9,399 to 10,045. The most dramatic crease is in gun violence, with incidents up 43 percent from 503 to 718 and those injured or killed up 36 percent from 606 to 826. Covid cases ballooned by 35 infections on Saturday and 16 on Sunday Gladys Berejiklian has defended allowing florists and clothes stores to open without being hit with $5,000 fines during Sydney's lockdown. Sydney, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains, and the Central Coast are in their second week of lockdown with Covid cases rising by 35 on Friday and 15 on Saturday. Residents must stay at home unless they have to buy groceries, care for a loved one, visit the doctor, or go to work, and the government has requested that only essential services remain open for business. Some of questioned how many businesses that many would regard as non-essential have remained open throughout the lockdown. The NSW premier stood her ground again when questioned about why the lockdown wasn't as strict as those in other states during a press conference on Sunday. Pictured: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking to the media during a press conference in Sydney on Sunday. She said people in Sydney are following the lockdown rules 'New South Wales, unlike other states, has never determined what is essential and what is not essential when it comes to businesses,' she said. 'We have exactly the same rules that we had in last time, so any suggestion that these rules are different to last time isn't correct.' The premier said people need to respect the lockdown limitations being put in place, while still having necessary allowances for grocery shopping, outdoor exercise and workplace access for those who can't work from home. 'The rules we've put in place are vastly being respected. There will always be exceptions,' the Premier said. 'I want to provide confidence to our citizens that we only burden them to the extent we need to. But we ask everybody not to leave home unless you absolutely have to. 'I just appeal to everybody to do the right thing. But our citizens also know that by doing the right thing, we can achieve what we need to together. 'But if too many people don't do the right thing, well, then, that's cause for concern. 'Most of us are making sure that we don't visit relatives or make sure that when we are wanting to interact with others that it's a safe, outdoor setting.' A reporter asked why florists are allowed to remain open, along with clothes stores. Pictured: A florist in Sydney during lockdown The reporter also asked why some stores were fined for remaining open during 2020 lockdowns During the height of lockdown in 2020, residents were only allowed in outdoor public spaces if they were exercising with other members of their household. This time they are allowed to exercise, even in outdoor fitness classes, in groups of up to 10 people and don't need masks if they can socially distance. Poll Is the Sydney lockdown strict enough? Yes No Not sure Is the Sydney lockdown strict enough? Yes 162 votes No 293 votes Not sure 12 votes Now share your opinion Other states that went into lockdown over the past year had much lower numbers, or limited residents to a 5km radius from their home. Sydney this time has none of that. Lockdowns in other states also ordered more businesses to close as 'non-essential', but more appear to be allowed to open in Sydney. While businesses appear to have more scope to open during this lockdown than last, the reverse is true for hairdressers. Last week, the owner of Golden Cuts in Auburn copped a $5,000 fine for staying open for staying open for businesses, and thereby breaching public health orders. Pictured: A store selling children's wares in Sydney. The definition of an 'essential service' is ill-defined Ms Berejiklian warned that even though numbers were trending in the right direction, just a handful of people 'doing the wrong thing' could derail it NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday that 14 of the state's 16 new cases were linked to previously confirmed infections. Thirteen were already in isolation, one was in isolation for part of their infectious period and the remaining two were in the community while infectious. Three residents at Summit Care's aged care facility in Baulkham Hills, western Sydney, also tested positive to the virus. The results come after 45,079 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. The figure is a positive sign that Sydney and surrounding regions are on track to come out of lockdown on July 9. Ms Berejiklian warned that even though numbers were trending in the right direction, just a handful of people 'doing the wrong thing' could derail it. She said she was pleased to see the cases 'go the right way'. 'But I do say cautiously that that could still bounce around,' she said. 'And we've seen in the last few days how easy it is for people to unintentionally do the wrong thing, or intentionally do the wrong thing, and that can result in more cases which is something we don't want to see.' Latest figures showed there were 318 active Covid cases in New South Wales, but just ten people in hospital as a result. A 70-year-old Arkansas man who robbed $264 from a taco shop with a toy water gun in 1981 has been granted clemency 40 years after he was sentenced to life in prison. Governor Asa Hutchinson said in a press release on Thursday he will commute the sentence of Rolf Kaestel, making him eligible for parole. Kaestel was convicted on a charge of aggravated robbery and was sentenced to life in prison and a $15,000 fine on June 5, 1981. He has repeatedly appealed for clemency and his fifth appeal was finally approved. 'The governor has given notice of his intent to commute the sentence of Rolf D. Kaestel, who was convicted in Sebastian County in 1981 for the above offenses, from a total of life in the Arkansas Department of Correction to making him immediately parole eligible,' the press release reads. Hutchinson noted there were no objections from law enforcement to Kaestel's request for clemency. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, left , has said he will commute the sentence of Rolf Kaestel, 70, right, making him immediately eligible for parole 40 years after he was sentenced to life in prison The commutation was hailed by Dennis Schluterman, pictured, who was working at Senor Bob's Taco Hut when he was robbed In his latest application, Kaestel wrote that he 'may yet have a few reasonably energetic and productive years remaining to me in which I may still make a truly substantive contribution to society.' 'I believe that I have demonstrated that I deserve the chance to do so, and I appeal for your consideration and favorable action to allow me to begin a new life,' he wrote. 'The ends of justice have been served with the unrelenting four decades of my incarceration to date.' Kaestel is not yet free and is currently imprisoned in Utah, NewsNation Now reported. There's a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback before the governor's decision can become final. The formal proclamation of Kaestels commutation will be issued on August 4 - when he will then become eligible for parole. The parole board, which has recommended him for clemency three times, is then expected to approve his release from prison. His case and the sentence he'd received had received attention from criminal justice reform advocates. The taco shop employee who handed the money over to Kaestel during the robbery has also called for his release. Kaestel, pictured, is also known for being a whistleblower in the 1999 prison blood bank scandal, during which people worldwide were allegedly infected with HIV and Hepatitis C The formal proclamation of Kaestels commutation will be issue will be issued on August 4 - when he will then become eligible for parole, which is expected to be granted Dennis Schluterman, who was working at Senor Bob's Taco Hut, appealed to then-Gov. Mike Beebe in a video posted to YouTube on Oct. 29, 2014. He is pictured younger in a Facebook photo Schluterman, pictured, found out Kaestel was still in prison 25 years later and was 'shocked' at the news Dennis Schluterman, who was working at Senor Bob's Taco Hut, appealed to then-Gov. Mike Beebe in a video posted to YouTube on Oct. 29, 2014. 'Back in February of 1981, I was working as an employee at Senor Bob's Taco Hut. I was working in the back and we heard the doorbell ring as customers were coming in. So I walked to the front and there was two guys standing there,' Schluterman recalled. 'All the guy did was pull his jacket back, and I saw the gun butt.' Schluterman recalled Kaestel saying 'Do you know what that is?', referring to the gun. Schluterman responded that he did, then put the money in a bag and handed it to Kaestel who then walked out. 'I immediately got on the phone and called the police,' Schluterman said. He said that in the courtroom, when the case went to court, he didn't notice Kaestel was charged with aggravated robbery. 'I don't feel it should have been an aggravated robbery charge because he didn't threaten me in any way. He didn't make me feel like I was going to be hurt or anything like that,' Schluterman said. Schluterman found out Kaestel was still in prison 25 years later and was 'shocked' at the news, he said. 'Many nights, I sat there and thought about it and thought about it. I couldn't believe he was still there, so I wrote him a letter,' Schluterman said. In the video, Schlutterman breaks down into tears while recalling reading letters that Kaestel had sent to his parents house apologizing for what he had done but that he had never received. 'I actually apologized to him because I felt like - even though he was the one that robbed me I felt like I had taken his life because he had been in there so long. I don't feel like that's right and I feel like it's time for his break to come,' Schlutterman said. DailyMail.com has reached out to Schluterman for more information and additional comment. Schluterman told Daily Beast on Thursday that the commutation 'felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders.' 'I'm just glad it finally happened,' Schluterman told The Daily Beast. 'It's something that needed to be done.' According to the outlet, Kaestel became a paralegal for local law firms while in prison and took enough college courses to nearly earn multiple degrees. He is also known for being a whistleblower in the 1999 prison blood bank scandal, during which people worldwide were allegedly infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. An Egyptian man accused of stabbing a Boston rabbi outside a Jewish day school and synagogue on Thursday was in the country illegally, after overstaying his visa Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say Khaled Awad, 24, allegedly stabbed Rabbi Shlomo Noginksi eight times on the street outside Shaloh House on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, at around 1.20pm on Thursday afternoon. It has since emerged that although Awad had entered the U.S. legally using a student visa, he lost his legal status on May 14, ICE agents found. 'Khaled Awad, 24, a citizen of Egypt, entered the United States on a student visa in August 2019,' an ICE spokesman told Fox News. 'However, he failed to stay enrolled as required by law, resulting in a loss of legal status in the U.S on May 14, 2021.' ICE have lodged a detainer with the Boston Police Department meaning he will be taken into custody by the agency once criminal proceedings are complete. 24-year-old Khaled Awad was lead into court on Friday for his arraignment in Brighton District Court A bloodied Rabbi Shlomo Noginksi gets treated for his multiple stab wounds after an alleged kidnapping attempt on Thursday Steve Sass and Zoe Golub-Sass attend a unity rally in Boston's Brighton neighborhood, near the site of the stabbing attack in broad daylight on Rabbi Sholom Noginski the previous day The suspect is in custody and the attack will be investigated as a hate crime Rabbi Noginski, who is a teacher and rabbi at the Shaloh House, was reportedly sitting outside talking on his cell phone when the suspect launched his attack on him. Awad allegedly approached Rabbi Shlomo Noginski with a gun demanding the keys to his car, reports Chabad. Noginski ran across the street to a park but Awad chase him, stabbing him in the arm multiple times. Awad was arraigned on assault charges on Friday and was charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on an officer and will be held without bail until a hearing next Thursday. The rabbi's family and community leaders believe he was targeted in the attack because he is Jewish. One of Awad's former friends at the University of South Florida, Eric Valiente, told CBS Boston that Awad was 'violent' and 'anti-Semitic.' 'He started becoming violent,' Valiente said. 'He was very much anti-Semitic. He would say like all types of Jewish jokes. I thought he was joking at first and then I started to see seriousness in his comments.' Aidan Anderson, a former roommate of Awad's who is Jewish, also told CBS News that told he ended up moving out and had to obtain a restraining order last fall when Awad attacked him in their shared kitchen. Members of the community attend a vigil for Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, who was stabbed outside a Jewish day school on Thursday, at Brighton Common park, in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston Natash and Eric Bakke attend a unity rally in Boston, near the site of the stabbing attack Members of Boston's Jewish, faith, police and political communities gathered for a unity vigil to condemn the stabbing attack on Boston Rabbi Sholom Noginski Khaled Awad, 24, (pictured) was charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer On Friday Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said the DA's civil rights unit and the Boston Police Department Civil Rights Unit were conducting a civil rights investigation into the alleged assault and would keep the community updated. Rollins attended a community vigil on Friday morning with Mayor Kim Janey where the attack against Rabbi Noginski allegedly took place. 'We have to recognize that anti-Semitism is on the rise and we need to hold people accountable when they do this so that they are made an example of,' Rollins said. 'It's important that we recognize with respect to the Jewish community that not only globally, but locally, they are being terrorized and hate crime is on the rise,' Rollins added. Janey said the investigation into whether the alleged attack was a hate crime will give the shaken community the answers it needs. 'It is important that we understand what the motives of this hate, of this violence are,' she said. 'An investigation is underway to determine whether this is a hate crime or not, and we will get the answers we seek.' Rabbi Shlomo Noginksi was stabbed eight times and was later rushed to hospital where he needed surgery to treat the wounds Police officers arrived at the scene to find Rabbi Noginski suffering from stab wounds. Pictured: Officers at the scene Police officers arrived at the scene to find Rabbi Noginski, who moved to Boston from Israel, suffering from 'multiple stab wounds', Boston Police Department said in a statement. He was later rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for 'non-life threatening injuries'. Police have not yet said whether they are treating the attack as a hate crime, nor have they disclosed a motive for the attack. But the antisemitism civil rights group Anti-Defamation League (ADL) New England have said there are 'multiple indicators pointing towards antisemitism' and called for the police to investigate the incident as a hate crime. As soon as staff became aware of the situation outside the building, where a summer day camp was being held for children, the facility went into lockdown to ensure their safety, Rabbi Dan Rodkin, the Executive Director of Shaloh House, pictured, explained in a statement Sources told WHDV that Rabbi Noginski was wearing a yarmulke at the time of the attack, which was caught on CCTV. As soon as staff became aware of the situation outside the building, where a summer day camp was being held for children, the facility went into lockdown to ensure their safety, Rabbi Dan Rodkin, the Executive Director of Shaloh House said in a statement. Images shared on social media appear to show Rabbi Noginksi grimacing in pain as a Boston police officer tries so stem the bleeding from a stab wound to the victim's left arm. His white shirt can be seen covered in splotches of blood. Hours later, another image was shared from the hospital which showed Rabbi Noginski lying on a bed while looking at the camera. Cuts can be seen on his fingers and arms. Speaking from his hospital bed, Rabbi Noginski told Lubavitch.com : 'I am grateful to the Boston Police Department for their rapid response, and relieved that the perpetrator is in custody. I am looking forward to returning to my work as soon as possible.' Rabbi Shlomo Noginksi was attacked on the street outside Shaloh House, a Jewish Day School and synagogue on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton, at around 1.20pm on Thursday afternoon Rabbi Rodkin said he and the staff 'are all very shaken' by the attack and asked the public to keep Rabbi Noginski in their prayers for a speedy recovery, while adding that Shaloh House would be increasing their security for the rest of the summer. Dov Hikind, a former New York state assemblyman and founder of the grassroots coalition Americans Against Antisemitism, told Fox News he spoke with Rabbi Noginski's brother, who said the rabbi is expected to undergo surgery for eight stab wounds. Hikind said the rabbi's family believe he was targeted because he is Jewish. 'Based on my conversation with his brother (he) believes the guy wanted to kidnap him,' he said. 'The perpetrator was not interested in his money, not interested in his cell phone, was not interested in anything except to attack this individual.' Hikind said anti-Israel rhetoric has contributed to a rise in anti-Semitic attacks and singled out Democrat Representatives Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib for their comments. Rep. Ilhan Omar has been accused of being a 'rabid anti-Semite' for saying her Jewish colleagues in Congress 'haven't been equal partners in justice' and defending her comments equating the U.S. and Israel to terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban. While police have not revealed details about what motivated the attack, others are also concerned that Rabbi Noginski was attacked because of his religion. The Anti-Defamation League has said there are 'multiple indicators pointing towards antisemitism' and called for the police to investigate the incident as a hate crime. 'Facts emerging from the stabbing of a Rabbi in Brighton yesterday include multiple indicators pointing towards antisemitism,' said Robert Trestan, Regional Director of Anti-Defamation League in a statement on Friday. 'We call on the Boston Police Department Civil Rights Unit to investigate yesterday's violent attack as a hate crime. Boston's Jewish community is angry, living in fear and need answers, accountability and security.' Rabbi Rodkin said in a statement on Thursday: 'Earlier today, Rabbi Shlomo Noginski was attacked on the street outside the Shaloh House. 'He is, thank God, in stable condition and in good spirits and being treated in the hospital for stab wounds.' Rabbi Noginski, who is a teacher and Rabbi at the Shaloh House, was reportedly sat outside the synagogue (pictured: file image) talking on his cell phone when the suspect launched his attack on him He continued: 'As soon as our staff became aware of what happened outside, our facility went into lock down to ensure the safety of all the children and staff in our program. At no point during the incident were any of the children in danger. 'The safety of our children and staff is of the utmost importance to us and we will be increasing security at the Shaloh House throughout the remainder of the summer.' 'We are all very shaken by what happened and ask for you to please keep Rabbi Noginski in your prayers for a... speedy and complete recovery. 'We are heartened by the outpouring of concern and compassion we have received in just the last hours since the incident.' The police department said that Awad, who is from Brighton, has been arrested and will appear in Brighton District Court on charges of Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon and Assault and Battery on a police officer. A knife and gun were allegedly found in a nearby alley where police arrested Awad, reports WCVB. There has been an outpouring of support from the local community, with many wishing Rabbi Noginsky a speedy recovery. Yaacov Behrman, the founder of The Jewish Future Alliance, an advocacy charity for those in the Jewish community and other minority groups, tweeted: 'I spoke to Rabbi Shlomo Noginsky from the hospital. 'He was in terrible pain, but said he was inspired by the tremendous amount of love and support from the community.' Rabbi Aryeh Spero, the president of the Conference of Jewish Affairs, told Fox News the attack was not the only one. 'There is a climate of more than just anti-Semitism,' he said. 'It's physical attacks with the intent of killing people who are Jewish. Conspicuously Jewish. And that just doesn't come out of thin air.' The investigation into the attack is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact District D-14 Detectives at 617-343-4256. For community members wishing to contact the police anonymously about the investigation, police urged them to call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463). The young midshipman needed a date one evening while he was home from the US Naval Academy, so his younger sister paired him with a family friend who already had a crush. Nearly eight decades later, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter are still together in the same tiny town where they were born, grew up and had that first outing. In between, they've traveled the world as Naval officer and military spouse, American president and first lady, and finally as human rights and public health ambassadors. 'It's a full partnership,' the 39th president told The Associated Press during a joint interview ahead of the couple's 75th wedding anniversary on July 7. It will be another milestone for the longest-married presidential couple in American history. Former President Jimmy Carter (left) and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter (right) are pictured above in Atlanta in September 2018 On Wednesday, the couple is set to mark their 75h anniversary. Jimmy and Rosalynn are seen above kissing during a reopening ceremony for the redesigned Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta in October 2009 Then-Georgia State Senator Jimmy Carter hugs his wife, Rosalynn, at his Atlanta campaign headquarters in this 1966 file photo At 96, Carter also is the longest-lived of the 45 men who've served as chief executive. Yet even having reached that pinnacle, Carter has said often since leaving the Oval Office in 1981 that the most important decision he ever made wasn't as head of state, commander in chief or even executive officer of a nuclear submarine in the early years of the Cold War. Rather, it was falling for Eleanor Rosalynn Smith in 1945 and marrying her the following summer. 'My biggest secret is to marry the right person if you want to have a long-lasting marriage,' Carter said. The nonagenarians - she's now 93 - offered a few other tips for an enduring bond. 'Every day there needs to be reconciliation and communication between the two spouses,' the former president said, explaining that he and Rosalynn, both devout Christians, read the Bible together aloud each night - something they've done for years, even when separated by their travels. 'We don't go to sleep with some remaining differences between us,' he said. Rosalynn Carter noted the importance of finding common interests. The Carters are seen above at the Democratic National Convention in New York City in July 1976 Even now, she said, 'Jimmy and I are always looking for things to do together.' Still, she emphasized a caveat: 'Each (person) should have some space. That's really important.' As first lady, Rosalynn Carter carved her own identity even as she supported her husband. Building on her predecessors' efforts to highlight special causes, she went to work in her own East Wing office, setting a standard for first ladies by working alongside her husband's West Wing aides on key legislation, especially dealing with health care and mental health. She continued that focus as the couple built the Carter Center in Atlanta after their White House years. Certainly, a 75-year marriage hasn't been seamless, the couple acknowledges. Jimmy was initially on course to be an admiral, not commander in chief, and Rosalynn appreciated their life beyond Plains, home to fewer than a thousand people, then and now. But when James Earl Carter Sr. became sick and died in 1953, his son cut short his Navy career and decided the family would return to rural Georgia. The former president has written that in retrospect he finds it inconceivable not to discuss such a life-changing decision with his wife, who was unhappy with the move. Now, they see the blossoming of their partnership in that challenging juncture. 'We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,' Rosalynn Carter told AP. 'I knew more on paper about the business than he did. He would take my advice about things,' she added, drawing a laugh and affirmation from her husband. The couple lives in the home town where they were born and grew up. They are seen above in Plains, Georgia in February 2017 In this August 6, 2001, file photo former President Jimmy Carter (left) and his wife Rosalynn help build a house for the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2001 in South Korea 'Every day there needs to be reconciliation and communication between the two spouses,' the former president said, explaining that he and Rosalynn, both devout Christians, read the Bible together aloud each night Jimmy Carter also didn't seek Rosalynn's permission to make his first bid for office a few years later. In that instance, she was on board anyway. 'My wife is much more political,' he said. She interjected: 'I love it. I love campaigning. I had the best time. I was in all the states in the United States. I campaigned solid every day the last time we ran.' That didn't help avoid a rout by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. But it further cemented Rosalynn - who'd originally given up her own opportunity to go to college when she married at age 18 - as equal partner to the leader of the free world. And it marked Jimmy Carter's evolution as a spouse. He's since been an outspoken voice for women's rights, including within Christianity. Carter left the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006, denouncing what he called 'rigid' views that 'subjugated' women in the church and in their own marriages. The then-president kisses his wife as he boards a helicopter for a trip from the White House to Camp David in May 1979 The former president ratified those views again, as well as his support for the church recognizing same-sex marriage. 'It will continue to be divisive,' he said. 'But the church is evolving.' The Carters plan to celebrate their own marriage milestone a few days after their anniversary with a party in Plains. Decades removed from inaugural balls and state dinners, the most famous residents of Sumter County said they have mixed feelings about the spotlight. 'We have too many people invited,' Rosalynn Carter said with a laugh. 'I'm actually praying for some turndowns and regrets.' Celebrity hotspot Carbone in Miami has caught on fire just six months after the trendy New York restaurant launched the site in South Beach. Miami Beach Fire Recue crews were called to reports of smoke at the eatery at 49 Collins Avenue just after 9pm Saturday, as July 4 weekend celebrations were in full swing. The blaze was sparked inside the restaurant on a hood in the kitchen, the fire department tweeted. Firefighters were seen climbing ladders to the roof to battle the flames. The fire was later extinguished and no injuries were reported. Celebrity hotspot Carbone Miami has caught on fire just six months after the trendy New York restaurant launched the site in South Beach. Pictured fire crews on the scene Staff are seen sitting on a wall watching firefighters tackle the blaze at the restaurant The restaurant's iconic neon sign. Miami Beach Fire Recue crews were called to reports of smoke at the eatery at 49 Collins Avenue just after 9pm Saturday #BREAKING: @MiamiBeachFire on the scene near Carbone at Collins Avenue and 1st; streets are closed in the area; looks like everyone escaped safely without injury and with their drinks #BecauseMiami pic.twitter.com/edqAjGdCgj Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) July 4, 2021 Footage posted on social media showed fire trucks and firefighters on the scene while an alarm rang out. Smoke was seen billowing into the night air creating a haze around the eatery's neon light sign and the palm trees that line the entrance. Photos from the scene showed staff sitting on a wall nearby and bystanders watching as firefighters battled the blaze. It is not clear what the extent of the damage is to the newly opened eatery. It is also unclear how the blaze impacted the night's service and when the restaurant will reopen. Waiters and staff were said to be concerned about how long it would remain shuttered and how it would affect their paychecks, as the incident put a dampener on what would have been a busy July 4 weekend. DailyMail.com has reached out to Major Food Group - which owns Carbone - for comment. The blaze will come as a major blow to both the restaurant owners and staff, after the hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit amid the pandemic, enduring long lockdowns and a slow return to indoor dining in many major cities. Carbone Miami only opened six months ago in January as the sister restaurant of the original in New York which has long been eyed as the 'place to be' in the Big Apple. The blaze was sparked inside the restaurant on a hood in the kitchen, the fire department tweeted Firefighters were seen climbing to the roof to battle the flames. The fire was later extinguished and no injuries were reported People watch the fire trucks and firefighters on the scene while an alarm rings out The Carbone sign is seen as fire trucks and first responders surround the building amid the fire Cofounder Mario Carbone told CBS4 that the timing of the new location opening was driven by the pandemic. In New York City - known for its bar and restaurant scene - the bar and restaurant industry was crippled by months of closures and curfews. Restaurants were shuttered for months with indoor dining only reopening on September at 25 percent before closing again in December. They then reopened at limited capacity in February, with capacity increasing and curfews easing before the final COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in June. Meanwhile, Florida had some of the most relaxed COVID-19 rules throughout the pandemic, encouraging the owners to launch the site in Miami. 'It was always part of our hope, in our dreams, and I think with the last year and COVID and everything that's happened and the fact that we are pretty shut down in New York, sped up our process and the thoughts to be here in Miami,' Carbone told CBS4 in January. 'So we made a quick pivot here.' Major Food Group also opened its ZZ's Sushi Bar in the Miami Design District in April - as an offshoot of its ZZs Clam Bar in New York. Several other famed New York City restaurants also turned to opening branches in Miami to help them survive the pandemic including other celeb favorites Cote and Sant Ambroeus. It is not clear what the extent of the damage is. It is also unclear how it impacted the night's service and when the restaurant will reopen Firefighters are seen battling the blaze at the celebrity haunt that only opened in January Employees of the popular restaurant are seen gathering outside as the drama plays out Fire crews climb up a ladder to battle the blaze from the top of the restaurant in an effort to bring it under control The move for Carbone proved popular with its arrival instantly triggering a three-month waitlist as people clamored to get a table at the famed Italian eatery. The Miami Beach site marked the fourth branch in total after founders Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick previously set up sites in Hong Kong and Las Vegas. A Dallas restaurant is also in the pipeline for later in the year. The New York restaurant opened back in 2013 in the heart of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, where the famed Italian-American Rocco restaurant once stood. It serves upscale classic Italian dishes and soon became known as 'the most influential American restaurants of the last decade'. It is a popular haunt for celebrities with Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna and the Kardashians all spotted dining at one of its joints. Zalaznick, Torrisi, and Carbone have a portfolio of other restaurants in the Major Food Group including THE GRILL, Sadelles, ZZs Clam Bar, Parm and Dirty French. Carbone Miami (pictured) opened in January and instantly triggered a three-month waitlist A Christian missionary group that housed Jarryd Hayne while the ex-NRL star was on bail for rape is facing a series of misconduct allegations. Several serious accusations, extending over two decades, have been levelled against Youth With A Mission in Perth. They include claims the charity's leaders failed to report sexual assault to police and instead told alleged victims to apologise to their alleged attackers for 'leading them on'. Some 20 former students and staff spoke to an investigation by The Sunday Times detailing their experiences, and signed statutory declarations swearing their statements are true. Many say they needed counselling once they left, while some recalled incidents of 'spiritual abuse' and bizarre rituals including being urged to 'cough out' bad spirits, that were 'responsible for life's hardships', including sexual assault. A Christian missionary group that housed disgraced NRL star Jarryd Haynes (pictured) while he was facing rape charges is facing a series of misconduct allegations Some 20 former students and staff have levelled allegations against Youth With A Mission Perth (pictured) One woman claimed she was told she had the 'spirit of Jezabel' after telling a leader she was allegedly sexually assaulted as a child on another YWAM base. Many of the young missionaries claim the organisation did not consult with them before Haynes hunkered down at the facility while facing rape charges in 2019, which inspired them to speak out. Hayne altered his bail conditions to attend the YWAM Perth Discipleship Training School, with many students saying they were not given advanced warning they would be living alongside someone charged with a serious crime. Some at the college claimed leaders told them Hayne was innocent and 'word from God' confirmed to them he should be there. YWAM denies blindsiding its members and students with Hayne's presence. Hayne was found guilty in March year and sentenced to five years and nine months in prison. In one of the more disturbing claims, a woman from overseas who attended the organisation's six-month training program aged 20 two decades ago alleges she was sexually assaulted by a fellow member during a trip. While asleep in a bus, she claims she woke to one her fellow missionaries assaulting her. 'At 2 or 3am, while everyone else was sleeping on the bus, I woke up to (the other students) hand on my throat. He squeezed enough to let me know, "I could kill you, she said. 'He then started molesting me... it was so dark, I was so afraid.' The woman reported the alleged rape to a staff member, who asked a group leader if they should go to the police. Jarryd Hayne pictured at a McDonalds with others taking part on the Youth With A Mission bible course in Perth. The college has denied claims teenagers on his course were not told he would be joining them until after he arrived But the group leader allegedly told her not to disclose the incident until all of the information was accounted for. The next day, the leader made the woman confront her alleged attacker and made the pair apologise to each other, before they continued with the trip. '(The leader) was saying, Do you forgive him? Gods forgiven him so you need to forgive him. He told me that I needed to apologise to (the alleged attacker) he was like, "Did you do something? Were you leading him on?"" The woman said she could not believe what had occurred and wanted to call police, but being on an overseas trip she felt powerless, and had been trained to obey the leaders. The woman, who is a victim of childhood sexual assault, claims she was encouraged by YWAM to disclose her abuse in front of other students and then forgive her abusers. She believes the alleged attacker may have perceived her vulnerable after learning about the abuse and consequently targeted her. She reported the incident to police last month. Western Australia police confirmed it is investigating the alleged sexual assault. Several serious accusations, extending over two decades, have been levelled against Youth With A Mission in Perth Another woman, who told her story under the pseudonym Olivia, also came from the US and signed up to the DTS aged 18 last decade and stayed for two years. Weeks later she participated in a repentance and forgiveness session where members disclosed their sins, or sins committed against them. 'We also had to tell the bad things that we had done, so we were also hearing people confess some seriously messed up things that they had done to other people, like molestation,' she told the Sunday Times. Olivia said over the 17-hour session, members were heavily encouraged to share sexual abuse, and were told it was the only way to move on from it. They were pressured to relive their abuse in detail and forgive their attackers for every specific thing that was done to them, out loud. Olivia claimed they were also told to repent of mental illness, including her own eating disorder, and was told to eat a candy bar to prove she had repented. Despite this confronting experience, Olivia went on to become YWAM staff - but claimed even then her mental health struggles were not taken seriously. She claimed YWAM even pressured her to write a letter telling a sexual abuser from many years earlier that she forgave them. In a statement, the school said it did everything it could to notify other course participants Hayne would be studying at YWAM as a live-in student A third woman, going by Alice, said the organisation opened up old trauma and worsened it when she studied there for four years more than a decade ago, joining at age 18. She was allegedly sexually abused as a child at a different YWAM centre, and was encouraged to publicly disclose this in repentance and forgiveness sessions. After 15 hours of hearing others disclose 'horrific things', Alice took her turn. 'I got up and confessed my sins. I then disclosed my abuse. I named my abusers and included that it had happened at a YWAM base,' she told the Sunday Times. Alice claimed after she told the group, the first people she ever discussed her abuse with - even her parents - a group leader came over to her. She said the leader 'prayed out the spirit of Jezebel', who in the bible is a temptress who seduced Ahab, the king of Israel, and led the nation into idol worship. Alice said this was repeated in other sessions where 'sins' including homosexuality, abuse, masturbation and incest were read aloud and anyone who had experienced them was to 'cough them out'. 'I remember people having physical reactions convulsing, screaming and hitting themselves... one person tried to run up a wall,' she said. Alice said was was not given any professional counselling to deal with her past abuse, nor given proper training to deal with such issues when she was put on staff. Since leaving the organisation, she said she spoke with 30 other past members who also had complaints about how sexual assault was handled. Hayne outside Downing Centre District Court with his wife Amellia Bonnici in March. He was sentenced to five years and nine months behind bars after being found guilty of rape YWAM said in a statement that it apologised to staff and student who were affected by 'shortcomings' in making sure the group's values and beliefs were communicated and implemented on the ground. 'Some of the feedback we received has indeed been concerning. We unequivocally would like to state that the experience of some of our participants and staff, as related to us, is not reflective of our values or our beliefs,' it said. However, it defended encouraging students who were victims of sexual assault to forgive their abusers as part of 'spiritual healing'. YWAM said it also encouraged victims to 'repent to the extent that the participant bears any ill-will or malice towards that person'. 'Repentance and forgiveness, however, does not mean that the sin committed against the participant is somehow excused or condoned,' it said. YWAM said whether a complaint about sexual assault, or another crime, is made to police was a 'deeply personal' decision for the victim, and it would support whatever they chose to do. The New York State Department of Education is to investigate allegations an elementary school secretary in New York was forced to take raunchy photos of the female principal she worked for posing in a thong, to send to her lover. Gisselle Vasquez, a 35-year-old mom of a six year old, was a secretary for Principal Evelina Medina, 42, at the Robert C. Dodson School on May 24, 2018, when the allegations started, according to a lawsuit. Photographs from the suit show the degrading treatment that the secretary claims she was forced to endure. The cache of dirty documents includes screen shots of sexually explicit text messages that the principal is alleged to have forced her secretary to write. It apparently was all part of an effort by the principal to keep her extramarital affair secret from her husband. If she had raunchy pictures and texts stored on her secretary's phone, her thinking was that her husband wouldn't find out. State Department of Education investigators have now been in contact with Vasquez. Vasquez is suing for damages, in a lawsuit filed in May in federal court, alleging that she endured sexual harassment by multiple school officials and was retaliated against. Vasquez's attorney, Christopher Berlingieri, said a department investigator had told him that a probe was underway with all those allegedly involved said to be under scrutiny. Evelina Medina, 42, the former principal at the Robert C. Dodson School in Yonkers, made her secretary Gisselle Vasquez take this photo, according to a lawsuit filed in May Medina asked Vasquez to take the photo of her in her underwear at school, in her office, in 2018. The pictures and principal are now the subject of a Dept of Education investigation Evelina Medina is pictured with her husband (center) and the mayor of Yonkers, Mike Spano (right) at the Hispanic Professionals Association awards in 2019 'My client will cooperate with the state DOE investigation,' Berlingieri said to the New York Post. The state DOE has not confirmed the existence of any probe but stressed: 'We take all allegations of misconduct against educators extremely seriously.' The bizarre behavior allegedly began on May 24, 2018. Gisselle Vasquez, who worked at a Yonkers school, sued the city school district claiming she was sexually harassed by the school's female principal, female assistant principal and male assistant principal The allegations spanned almost two years, but Yonkers school superintendent, Edwin Quezada, did nothing, according to the court documents. Medina texted Vasquez a photo of a man lying in bed in his underwear and told her to save the photo for her, according to the lawsuit. The next day, Medina gave Vasquez her phone and asked her to take a photo of her and 'then proceeded to lower her pants to her ankles, turned around and exposed her buttocks in thong underwear and posed,' the lawsuit says. 'She hands me the phone and says, 'Close the door,'' Vasquez told the New York Post. 'When I looked back her pants were already down. 'I was shocked. I didn't know what to think. I really just froze. I worried that if I just left her office there could be a student or employee or anyone there. 'Her office is in the main office and there is a lot of traffic.' Medina is no longer principal at the school, but the school district wouldn't detail the circumstances of her leaving her job. Vasquez said she was also sent screenshots of explicit conversations from her boss, who wanted to hide them from her husband, according to the suit It's unclear if she's still employed with the district. Four days later - May 29, 2018 - Medina texted Vasquez 'a photo of a man lying in bed holding his exposed erect penis' and told her secretary to save it for her. At that time, Vasquez has been working in Yonkers school district for about five years but just a month at the magnet school Robert Dodson, which has less than 900 students. That week of alleged interactions was followed by months of buying lingerie, booking a hotel room for Medina and a time when Medina 'forcibly grabbed (Vasquez) by the throat to show what she wanted to do with her lover' and showing her explicit photos of her lover, the lawsuit says. 'On more than one occasion, Medina made comments about her lover's penis size and how it satisfied her more despite being smaller than her husband's penis size,' the lawsuit says. During that time, the secretary told at least two school officials, including a letter to Human Resources, according to the suit, but nothing happened. Vasquez was then allegedly subject to sexual harassment by two assistant principals - Sandra Guzman and Christopher Cassano, according to the lawsuit. Vasquez filed the lawsuit in White Plains federal court, which is the courthouse in the background, on May 24 Yonkers Superintendent of Yonkers Schools District Dr. Edwin M. Quezada and Robert Dodson assistant Principal Christopher Cassano were as named in the lawsuit Guzman said, 'You don't really look like a sexual person' and asked her, 'How many times a week do you have sex?' Around March 2019, Cassano allegedly asked Vasquez how many times she says sex and forcibly kissed her multiple times. In April 2019, Vasquez made another complaint to Human Resources and talked to the superintendent, who allegedly said, 'Thank you,' the lawsuit says. Her human resources complaint was passed around by the other teachers, and by the end of the month, Vasquez was transferred to Chavez Public School - another Yonkers school district school - but in a different role with a different schedule. The transfer and schedule change presented issues for plaintiff due to her familial status and childcare obligations, the suit says. She said the move was retaliation from bringing up her bosses' alleged transgressions. The allegations took place in the Robert Dodson School in the city of Yonkers, New York During the pandemic, she requested a medical accommodations because she suffers from asthma, a heart murmur and anxiety and attached a doctor's note, but the school denied it, according to the lawsuit. Vasquez has been out on family leave. 'My professionalism exceeds the expectations of that facility,' Vasquez told The New York Post. 'To this day I can't believe that this happened to me. I didn't see it coming. It's disturbing. I'm disgusted and embarrassed.' The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. The city of Yonkers, the Yonkers school district, the Dodson and Chavez schools (both in Yonkers), Medina, Cassano, Guzman, and Quezada are named in the lawsuit. Medina is no longer principal at Dodson. It was announced vaccines will be mandatory for aged care workers on Monday Facility manager has revealed two thirds of workers at the site are vaccinated All of them were vaccinated with Pfizer with two taken to Westmead Hospital Three residents tested positive at Summit Care's facility in Baulkham Hills Sydney nursing home in lockdown after residents tested positive to Covid-19 Two thirds of the staff at a locked-down Sydney nursing home are still unvaccinated, despite the vaccine being available for months and recently made mandatory. Three elderly residents at the Summit Care facility in Baulkham Hills tested positive to Covid-19 on Saturday night, a man and woman in their 80s, and a man in his 90s. Two of the patients were transferred to Westmead Hospital as a 'precautionary measure', while the third is in isolation at the nursing home. Three elderly residents at the Summit Care facility in Baulkham Hills tested positive to Covid-19 on Saturday night, a woman in her 80s, a man in his 80s and a man in his 90s Two of the patients have been transferred to Westmead Hospital as a 'precautionary measure', while the third remains in isolation at the nursing home All three of the infected patients have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. The facility was plunged into lockdown on Friday after an unvaccinated nurse tested positive to coronavirus. A second nurse at the home tested positive on Saturday. Summit Care chief operating officer Michelle Sloane said none of the three elderly patients were seriously ill. 'My understanding is they're all resting very comfortably none of them were displaying symptoms,' she said. She explained precautionary measures taken in transferring two patients to hospital were due to 'public health' considerations around isolating them in the facility. The third patient was not admitted to hospital due to his family not wanting to separate their relative from his wife. A person in PPE is seen arriving at Summit Care aged care facility in Baulkham Hills on July 4 Lona Patrick, a resident of the Summit Care Facility in Baulkham Hills, is loaded onto an ambulance after contracting Covid-19 They are isolating together in a room in the home under strict infection control protocols, with the man's wife testing negative so far. Speaking at Sunday's Covid-19 update NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the residents would have continual cycles of testing and isolation procedures. Though the residents' condition was 'encouraging', these protocols would remain in place at the nursing home for 14 days since their exposure to the infected nurse. Yesterday, 226 residents and staff were tested for coronavirus with all but the three infected residents returning negative results. Summit Care said 96 per cent of the 149 residents were vaccinated. The home is being monitored by an emergency force of surge workers, with three-quarters of the home's staff also forced in to a two-week isolation. 'Of 210 staff in total, of that there's probably 70 to 75 per cent at home in isolation - it could be higher,' Ms Sloane said. Michelle Sloane, Summit Care's Chief Operating Officer, (pictured) said of the three elderly patients, none were seriously ill, with two transferred to Westmead Hospital Ms Sloane explained precautionary measures taken in transferring two patients to hospital were due to 'public health' considerations around isolating them in the facility 'Of 210 staff in total, of that there's probably 70 to 75 per cent at home in isolation - it could be higher.' Ms Sloane said though she ensured none of her regular Baulkham Hills staff worked at any other facility, only one-third had been vaccinated. Once the outbreak was brought under control, all staff would be vaccinated on-site. 'We've been advised that to do it now is of no benefit to anyone and if anything, it might mean that they suffer from some side effects of the vaccines and we might lose more staff,' Ms Sloane said. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced that Covid-19 vaccines would become mandatory for aged-care workers. He said the mandatory vaccines would also apply to anyone who worked, either directly or indirectly, in hotel quarantine - including drivers. Allan Patrick, resident of Summitcare Aged Care Facility in Baulkham Hills, is loaded into an ambulance after contracting Covid-19 Yesterday, 226 residents and staff were tested for coronavirus in the Summit Care facility, with all but the three infected residents returning negative results Despite aged care workers and residents being in the initial Phase 1a rollout, many are still not vaccinated. Of the 910 deaths in Australia from Covid-19, 685 were aged care residents. Aged-care workers at the Summit Care facility did not expect to receive their first dose until mid-September. Ms Sloane said she had personally spoken to the children of the three infected patients, with all of the residents' families also alerted to the outbreak. The facility is undergoing deep cleaning, with daily testing protocols for staff and residents to continue. Advertisement At least 45 people have been killed and dozens injured after a Philippines Air Force plane carrying troops crashed on landing and burst into flames. The incident happened shortly before noon on Sunday in Bangkal village in the mountainous town of Patikul in the southern Sulu province, where the plane missed the runway, according to an official. Three civilians on the ground were be among the dead, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who said that 42 soldiers had been killed. Forty-nine military personnel and four civilians were also injured and taken to hospital. Five members of the military are still missing. Ninety-six people had been onboard the Lockheed C-130 Hercules at the time of the crash, including three pilots who survived with serious injuries, and five crew. The rest of the passengers were military personnel. The crash is one of the country's deadliest military aviation accidents. Some of the soldiers were seen jumping out of the plane before it hit the ground and exploded into flames, Major General William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force-Sulu said. 'This is a sad day but we have to remain hopeful,' Gonzales said in a statement. 'We enjoin the nation to pray for those who are injured and those who have perished in this tragedy.' At least 45 people have been killed and dozens injured after a Philippines Air Force plane carrying troops crashed on landing and burst into flames. The incident happened on Sunday in Patikul in the southern Sulu province, where the plane missed the runway, according to an official Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among trees as men in combat uniform milled around. A large column of black smoke rose into the sky above houses located near the crash site Initial pictures released by the military showed the tail section of the cargo plane which crashed around midday on Sunday The Hercules was one of two ex-U.S. Air Force aircraft handed over to the Philippines as part of military assistance this year. Military chief Cirilito Sobejana said the plane had 'missed the runway trying to regain power.' A military spokesman, Colonel Edgard Arevalo, said earlier on Sunday that there was no indication of any attack on the plane, but that a crash investigation had not begun and efforts were focussed on rescue and treatment. The crash happened in the far south of the archipelago nation where the army has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from the Abu Sayyaf and other factions. Pictures from the scene showed flames and smoke pouring from wreckage strewn among trees as men in combat uniform milled around. A large column of black smoke rose into the sky above houses located near the crash site. Initial pictures released by the military showed the tail section of the cargo plane. The other parts of the plane were burned or scattered in pieces in a clearing surrounded by coconut trees. Soldiers and other rescuers with stretchers are seen dashing into and from the smoke-shrouded crash site. All photos appeared to suggest that the weather was fine in Sulu at the time of the crash, although other parts of the Philippines were experiencing rains due to an approaching tropical depression. Sobejana said in a message to Reuters news agency that the plane had crashed a few kilometres (miles) from Jolo airport at 11:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) and had been carrying troops. 'We are currently attending to the survivors who were immediately brought to the 11th Infantry Division station hospital in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu,' he said. Pictured: Army personnel at the site after the crash landing of the Lockheed C-130 in Bangkal village in the mountainous town of Patikul in the southern Sulu province The tail of the plane can be seen among other burned and scattered parts in a clearing surrounded by coconut trees Soldiers and other rescuers with stretchers are seen dashing into and from the smoke-shrouded crash site The four-engine plane crashed near a quarry in a lightly populated area, First Lieutenant Jerrica Angela Manongdo said. It was transporting troops from the southern Cagayan de Oro city, many of them had recently graduated from basic military training, Sobejana said. An air force official told The Associated Press that the Jolo runway is shorter than most others in the country, making it more difficult for pilots to adjust if an aircraft misses the landing spot. The official, who has flown military aircraft to and from Jolo several times, spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to speak publicly. Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Corletan Vinluan told AFP news agency the aircraft overshot the landing strip and broke into two, according to initial reports. High school student Almar Hajiri Aki told AFP that he was standing beside a road when he heard a 'loud explosion' behind him. 'I thought our house was hit,' said the 21-year-old, who rushed with his neighbours to help pull soldiers from the wreckage. The airport is located a few miles from a mountainous area where troops have been battling Abu Sayyaf. Some militants there have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group. The United States and the Philippines have separately blacklisted Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organisation for bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. It has been considerably weakened by years of government offensives but remains a threat. Onlookers watch smoke rising following the fatal crash of the plane, which had been carrying nearly 100 people, including three pilots who survived but are seriously injured The crash happened in the far south of the archipelago nation where the army has been fighting a long war against Islamist militants from the Abu Sayyaf and other factions President Rodrigo Duterte expanded the military presence in Sulu into a full division in late 2018, deploying hundreds of additional troops, air force aircraft and other combat equipment after vowing to wipe out the Abu Sayyaf and allied foreign and local gunmen. Government forces at the time were running after Muslim armed groups a year after quelling the five-month siege of southern Marawi city by hundreds of militants linked to the Islamic State group. More than 1,000 people, mostly militants and long-elusive Abu Sayyaf commanders, were killed in months of intense air and ground assaults. C-130 aircraft, the work horses of air forces around the world for decades, are used to transport troops and supplies. They are also often deployed to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Senator Richard Gordon said it was the fourth military aircraft accident this year with 'mass casualties'. 'Are we buying defective crafts... (with) the people's money?' he tweeted. Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana said the previous mishaps were being probed and dismissed speculation about the causes as 'disrespectful' to victims and their families. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque described the accident as 'very unfortunate', and the US embassy Charge d'Affaires John Law offered 'sincerest condolences' to the families of the victims. Sunday's accident comes after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed last month during a night-time training flight, killing all six on board. Three pilots and three airmen died when their S70-i went down near the Crow Valley training range north of Manila, prompting the grounding of the entire fleet. The country ordered 16 of the multi-role aircraft from a Polish firm that made them under licence from the Sikorsky division of US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The Philippine government has struggled for years to modernise its military, one of Asia's least equipped, as it dealt with decades-long Islamist and communist insurgencies and territorial rifts with China and other claimant countries in the South China Sea. Extraordinary images of a woman stopping traffic to take photos of her car parked in the middle of a busy street has peeved off fellow drivers. The incident in the inner Canberra suburb of Red Hill occurred in May but has gone viral online after a furious motorist shared it to a community Facebook page in the nation's capital. The pictures show traffic in a leafy street stopped at a standstill before several fed up motorists try to maneuverer past the car parked in the middle of the street. The woman blocked the road for 15 minutes while her friends took photos of her car, according to the motorist who posted about the incident. But some motorists accused locals of overreacting, saying cars could easily have driven around. A woman brought traffic to a standstill in Canberra by parking in the middle of a street The images sparked a divided reaction online as many drivers slammed the woman over her 'self absorbed' and unacceptable behaviour. 'She is a public nuisance and should be fined,' one wrote. Others called for the woman fined to be fined. 'She's breaking the road rules parking in an unsafe manner and should be lucky she didn't get seen by the police,' one commented. Another added: 'Just shows lack of consideration for other people. An indication their basic respect for others is non existent.' Frustrated drivers eventually gave up on waiting and tried to move past the parked car But some questioned why other drivers caught up in chaos waited so long to drive around the commotion. 'What's the big deal? You could drive a Mack truck through the gap beside her. Let her take her photos, it's not doing any harm,' one wrote. Another added: 'Why can't people just be nice? Let her take the photos and move on.' Parking in the middle of the street is illegal in ACT. 'You must not stop or park on a road in a position that obstructs access by vehicles or pedestrians to or from a footpath ramp or a similar way of access to a footpath, on a bicycle path or passageway,' the state's road rules handbook. Ruth Davidson has warned Boris Johnson he risks taking the Tories back to being seen as the nasty party unless he reverses cuts to foreign aid spending. The former leader of the Scottish Conservatives said it was clear that MPs and peers do not support cutting 4billion from the overseas development budget this year. She urged the Prime Minister to hold a vote in Parliament before the summer on the change, which is a breach of the partys 2019 general election manifesto. It really does risk us being transported back to being thought of as the nasty party in peoples minds once again, she said. Her comments came amid reports that Mr Johnson is preparing to perform a U-turn on the issue by bringing forward a binding vote to quell a growing Tory rebellion. The PM is said to be 'actively considering' giving MPs a formal say on the decision to slash aid spending from 0.7 per cent of national income to 0.5 per cent. A group of approximately 50 Conservative MPs, including former prime minister Theresa May, are against the cut. Ministers have blamed the decision on the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. But Mr Johnson is now being advised to table a vote before Parliament breaks for its summer recess at the end of this month. Ruth Davidson has warned Boris Johnson he risks taking the Tories back to being seen as the nasty party unless he reverses cuts to foreign aid spending Mr Johnson will perform a U-turn and bring forward a binding vote on the Government's cut to foreign aid in a bid to quell a growing Tory rebellion on the issue, it was claimed today Downing Street is reportedly concerned that if the PM does not offer an olive branch to the rebels then they will simply continue in their attempts to bring forward their own amendment to force the Government to change tack. Number 10 also has an eye on future legislation on other issues which will require the support of the rebels to get through the House of Commons amid fears they could withhold their backing to make life difficult for Mr Johnson. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the Chancellor Rishi Sunak are said to have met last week in an attempt to find a solution to the row but failed to agree a way forward. The rebels have suggested imposing a time limit on the reduction to ensure it can only last for one year before returning to the 0.7 per cent level. The Tories' defeat at the Batley and Spen by-election last week has spooked some Conservative MPs who fear there is now 'an aroma of nastiness' around the Government. One Tory grandee told The Sunday Times: 'We did much worse than we thought we would do in Batley and Spen. 'It's clear there are no votes to be won on this issue in the red wall seats and there is a feeling among colleagues that we are turning back into the "nasty party". 'It's not just the cut to aid, but the chumocracy claims and Hancock's resignation, which all bundled together have an aroma of nastiness about them.' The Tory rebels attempted to force a U-turn on the spending cut last month but their efforts were torpedoed by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle who ruled their amendment could not be voted on. However, Sir Lindsay piled the pressure on Mr Johnson at the time as he demanded the PM bring forward his own vote on the issue - but the PM resisted and signalled he would not be doing so. A senior Whitehall source told the newspaper: 'The rebels have made it clear that this issue is not going to go away. 'I think there is now a realisation within government that this could become a much longer issue and there is legislation coming up that will require the goodwill of MPs. A group of approximately 50 Conservative MPs, including former prime minister Theresa May, are against the 4billion cut 'Giving MPs a vote in parliament is now under very active consideration and there is the very real prospect that it will happen before the summer recess.' A Government source said a plan for a vote 'has been drawn up' but 'what that vote will look like has yet to be decided'. Mr Johnson has been repeatedly slammed over the aid cut by his own MPs, with Mrs May, his predecessor in Number 10, leading the criticism. She said last week the reduction in spending would result in initiatives being cancelled and expertise being lost in a 'perfect storm' of problems as she accused the PM of breaking his 'Global Britain' promise. The country's biggest teaching union has urged its members to educate children on white privilege and to decolonise their classrooms, a report has revealed. The National Education Unions has told its 450,000 members that 'from curriculum to routines to classroom layout, our education system has been shaped by colonisation and neo-liberalism'. The union said the need to decolonise the education system has become 'urgent' since the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. In the report, the NEU suggests that education offered in schools lacks 'honesty and transparency' because of the 'silence around British imperialism and racism in the British education system, as well as a lack of histories from around the world'. In its summary of lessons learned from the decolonising education conference, it sets out strategies that should be undertaken to address the issue including activist training for teachers. Describing an 'urgent' need to decolonise classrooms, the National Education Union has urged teachers to educate their students on white privilege and address colonisation in curriculum In suggesting 'strategies for decolonising education in our nurseries, schools and colleges', the report details a list of actions that should be taken by its members to decolonise education. It suggests specialists could 'train teachers and schools on whiteness, anti-racism, creating tools for critical self-reflection and understanding the system' and says schools should 'make white privilege and colonialism visible'. In addressing the curriculum, the report says schools should 'move beyond diversification of literature to look at critiquing the ideas and knowledge we perpetuate and transforming pedagogical methods'. Teachers need to address every subject at every key stage, according to the report which says 'British culture is saturated with a longing for return to Empire without any understanding into what Empire is/was'. Critics of the report say the content is 'divisive' and the product of a 'warped view of the past'. Sir John Hayes, chair of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs, told The Telegraph: 'This is sinister. To think that people with such a warped view of the past, present and future should be instructing our children is chilling. Critics have said the 'chilling' NEU report is the product of a 'warped view of the past' 'The truth is Britain has made disproportionately noble contributions to the history of the world.' Mark Lehain, of the Campaign for Common Sense and a former headteacher, added: 'Schools are there to educate pupils, not evangelise for extreme ideologies or turn children into activists. It's sad that a union would encourage its members to push things that are so divisive.' Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary NEU, said it is an 'uncomfortable truth' that in the education system and in wider society recognition of the history, contributions and achievements of Black people has been greatly overlooked, if not totally ignored. She added: 'Decolonising the curriculum is a positive re-examination of who has written history and which ideas have shaped how we think - it includes talking about women, too. Dr Mary Bousted 'It's a positive step to use a richer number of sources and resources - for example, when we present British history as an 'island story' we ignore the contributions of the colonies. 'Decolonising isn't about losing things but it will contribute to children and young people's understanding of British history and what and who has shaped it, in ways that make learning highly relevant today. 'Decolonising can lead us to a more empathetic and fairer society, which is good for us all, but it's also about high-quality teaching and more time for critical thinking skills in school. 'We really need many more Black teachers and school leaders- and the DfE has no strategy at all to deliver that.' The NEU's report is just the latest decolonisation campaign in schools across the country. Earlier this year, the NASUWT also called for the decolonisation of the curriculum. Prompted by the Black Lives Matter protest, the union said it 'will be lobbying governments to secure inclusive curriculum frameworks, which recognise and celebrate the contributions of all citizens'. In a statement issued in May, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT and Chair of the TUC's Anti-racism Taskforce, said: 'Education has vital role to play in teaching future generations about our country's shared history, promoting equality, inclusion and respect for others, and in teaching about the historical injustices that continue to drive all forms of discrimination and extremism in our society today. The phrase 'white privilege' should not be taught at schools because it is 'unnecessarily antagonistic, equalities minister Kemi Badenoch (pictured) said earlier this month 'The NASUWT is calling for the decolonising of curriculums across the UK.' It comes after equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said the phrase 'white privilege' should not be taught at schools because it is 'unnecessarily antagonistic'. She said there is a 'fairly toxic political debate' around the term and it should not be taught unless its contentiousness is explained to children. She said 'we should not carelessly use skin colour as a proxy for disadvantage'. And she argued the term used in a BBC Bitesize educational video designed for children reinforces the belief that 'everyone and everything' around ethnic minorities is racist. Her comments come after a landmark report found white working-class pupils have been 'let down' for decades by England's education system and that promoting ideas of 'white privilege' makes the situation worse. The Commons Education Select Committee said white working-class pupils should 'feel anything but privileged'. The committee's report earlier this week warned against 'pitting different groups against each other' and suggested that schools which promote ideas of 'white privilege' could be in breach of the Equality Act 2010. A young woman has spat on staff at a Darwin bar after refusing a request to wear a face mask in line with post-lockdown restrictions. NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker says workers at The Tap on Mitchell Street asked the 22-year-old to put on her mask on Saturday night. She allegedly responded by spitting on them and is likely to be criminally charged. 'That behaviour is completely and utterly disgusting,' Mr Chalker told reporters on Sunday. 'That individual will be facing criminal charges as well as being fined for breaching CHO directions.' Face masks remain mandatory in some settings including venues in Darwin and Alice Springs until Friday. NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker (pictured) said workers at The Tap on Mitchell Street asked the 22-year-old to put on her mask, but she refused and spat on them instead. Mr Chalker said hospitality staff's livelihoods depended on people following health directions and called on venues to mete out their own punishment. 'I do trust that the industry acts as one and ensures that individual is banned from those premises for a long period of time,' he said. 'That behaviour is completely and utterly reprehensible and there should be no one in the Northern Territory prepared to defend that behaviour.' On the whole, Mr Chalker said community compliance had been 'very good' across the NT with only a small number of fines issued. There were no new Covid-19 cases reported in the NT on Sunday as more close contacts in isolation returned negative test results. Darwin went into lockdown last Sunday after an outbreak at Newmont's Granites Mine, about 540km northwest of Alice Springs. Alice Springs later followed suit when an infected miner spent seven hours at the town's airport on June 25 waiting for a flight to Adelaide. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said 26 NT-based close contacts of the man had now tested negative, with another 11 results still pending. 'That's a good sign for Alice,' he said, adding wastewater testing in the area had also come back negative. In Darwin, meanwhile, only five test results from close contacts at the Buff Club and seven at the Corner Store Friendly Grocer exposure sites remain outstanding. A Tasmanian man who flew to Perth via Sydney is on the run after being denied entry and ordered into hotel quarantine, police claim. Western Australian police say the man travelled from Tasmania to Sydney, while the city was in lockdown, and continued on to Perth on Thursday. He fled after being formally denied permission to enter the state and told to stay in hotel quarantine while waiting for a flight out, police said. The 32-year-old's current location is not known but police believe he may be travelling with another man from Perth to the Geraldton area. Western Australia recorded one new local case of COVID-19 on Sunday amid the first phase of interim post-lockdown restrictions in Perth and the Peel region. Western Australian police say the man (pictured) travelled from Tasmania to Sydney, while the city was in lockdown, and continued on to Perth on Thursday The man is the partner of a previous case, a woman who attended a gym in Perth's northern suburbs that is listed as an exposure site. He has been in self-isolation since June 26 and Health Minister Roger Cook said the man did not pose any public health risk. 'This is a good outcome,' he told reporters on Sunday. 'This person had done all the right things. Home quarantined before they were infectious, made sure they monitored their health and got tested again.' Mr Cook said the man, aged in his 30s, had initially tested negative but became symptomatic on July 1 and returned a positive test on Saturday. It's the sixth case linked to Perth's northern suburbs cluster, which triggered a four-day lockdown last week. Although two million Perth and Peel residents emerged from lockdown on Saturday, interim restrictions remain in effect including mandatory mask-wearing indoors and outdoors and capacity limits at hospitality venues. A second phase of less onerous restrictions will be enforced from Tuesday until 12.01am on Monday July 12, when Perth and Peel are slated to return to pre-lockdown life. Sajid Javid has ruled out Tory peer Dido Harding as the next chief executive of NHS England, according to reports. Baroness Harding, 53, the former head of NHS Test and Trace, was seen as the preferred choice of Matt Hancock, but he was forced to resign as Health Secretary last week. A senior Government source told The Times last night that while she deserved 'credit' for building the Covid-19 testing programme, 'people don't think she is the right person to lead the NHS as we enter a new phase'. The decision to reject her candidacy is one of Mr Javid's first major decisions since he took over as Health Secretary. The news comes after well-placed sources said that Amanda Pritchard, the chief operating officer of the NHS, is in prime position to take over from Sir Simon Stevens. One insider described her as 'very highly rated' and said a 'two-horse race' between her and Baroness Harding has now just left her in the running. The former chief executive of TalkTalk had vowed to use her private sector experience, along with her existing links with ministers, if she were to get the NHS role. There were also fears that her stewardship of the 37billion Test and Trace system would create future political problems for the Government. It was branded the 'most wasteful and inept public spending programme of all time' by the former head of the Treasury. Sajid Javid has ruled out Tory peer Dido Harding (pictured) as the next chief executive of NHS England, according to reports The decision over who will be appointed is expected shortly as Sir Simon has ruled out staying in the job beyond the end of July after his seven-year tenure. Ms Pritchard, previously chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, is said to have impressed Ministers as efficient and highly capable. She has a much lower profile than either Lady Harding or Sir Simon, although it is understood this is seen as a positive attribute. A source said: 'She is almost the anti-Simon Stevens. 'She is the person who delivers quietly rather than making a big song and dance about it.' Ministers have final sign-off over the appointment. In a letter to colleagues announcing his resignation, Sir Simon described being in charge of the NHS through 'some of the toughest challenges in its history' as a privilege. Sir Simon who has been in charge for seven years has served through three elections and the Covid pandemic. According to the NHS England annual report for 2019/20, the chief executive's salary was between 195,000 and 200,000. The report stated that Sir Simon had, during that year, voluntarily taken a 20,000 annual pay cut for the sixth year in a row. The decision is expected shortly as Sir Simon Stevens, pictured, has ruled out staying in the job beyond the end of July after his seven-year tenure Lady Harding was heavily criticised during her stint in charge of the country's contact tracing programme. A report earlier this year said T&T had 'minimal impact on transmission' despite receiving 37billion of funding. The Commons Public Accounts Committee said in March there was no evidence the tracing scheme had made a dent in Covid transmission, despite its 'unimaginable' budget. Last year No10 spent 22billion on Test and Trace and the Chancellor promised to throw another 15billion at it in 2021, bringing the total cost to 37billion. The PAC report said the Government was treating British taxpayers 'like an ATM machine'. Sir Nicholas Macpherson, a member of the House of Lords and former permanent secretary at the Treasury, also waded into the row. He posted a cutting tweet that added: 'The extraordinary thing is that nobody in the government seems surprised or shocked. No matter: the BoE will just print more money.' Lady Harding's leadership of Test and Trace last year prompted senior backbencher Sir Bernard Jenkin, chairman of the Liaison Committee, to join Labour in suggesting she be replaced. At one point in October last year, ahead of the second lockdown which came in in November, the system hit a record low with just 59.6 per cent of the contacts of people who tested positive for the disease being successfully contacted and told to self-isolate. Sir Bernard, who chairs the Liaison Committee of senior MPs which questions the Prime Minister twice a year, said the peer should be given a 'well-earned break' so she and others could 'reflect on the lessons learned so far'. Last September she was ridiculed when she claimed nobody was 'expecting' to see the 'really sizeable increase in demand' for Covid checks ahead of the start of the school year. Lady Harding's comments, which come despite the return of schools and more people heading back to work, sparked outrage as she told MPs 'none of the modelling' had suggested there would be such a steep uptick in requests. Amanda Pritchard, previously chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, is said to have impressed Ministers as efficient and highly capable She blamed the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) for seemingly getting its predictions wrong as she said testing capacity had been built based on the panel's recommendations. There were also numerous reports of staff at deserted walk-in testing centres turning people away if they didn't have an appointment or weren't showing obvious coronavirus symptoms. Baroness Harding was appointed CEO of TalkTalk in 2010, serving in the role for seven years, during which the company was the victim of a cyber attack that saw the personal and banking details of 157,000 customers accessed by hackers. She was subjected to repeated blackmail attempts after the hack, with demands for Bitcoins in exchange for stolen data, which included customers' names, email addresses, mobile numbers, home addresses and dates of birth. In the aftermath, TalkTalk was fined a record 400,000 for security failings which allowed the data to be accessed 'with ease' in one of the biggest data breaches in history. TalkTalk is thought to have lost 60million from the fallout with an estimated 100,000 angry customers leaving, mainly to BT, while 2015 profits halved to 14million and shares lost nearly two-thirds of their value. Baroness Harding faced repeated calls to step down over the breach, but stayed on until 2017, when she resigned to focus on her 'public service activities'. Later that year, she was appointed chair of NHS Improvement, responsible for overseeing all NHS hospitals. Prince Harry is set to return to the UK in a matter of weeks to take part in another event to celebrate Princess Diana - and could even bring wife Meghan with him. The Duke of Sussex made a flying visit this week to take part in the unveiling of his mother's memorial alongside Prince William. It was hoped the event could help 'heal their brotherly rift' but sources say there was no time to address the ongoing row. Following a brief reception at Kensington Palace, Harry returned to Frogmore Cottage, Windsor where he had been staying before heading off to the airport. Prince Harry is set to return to the UK in a matter of weeks to take part in another event to celebrate Princess Diana - and could even bring wife Meghan with him The event, held on Diana's 60th birthday, was meant to be attended by up to 100 guests but had to be dramatically scaled down due to Covid. And while William and Harry were seen walking together and holding conversations with relatives during the memorial event, Harry left 20 minutes later. However Kensington Palace has ambitions for another, larger event to be held in September that could welcome the project's donors and charity leaders. It is hoped Harry could attend with wife Meghan, also sources say the date may still be too early coming just three months after the birth of their second child Lilibet. The Duke of Sussex made a flying visit this week to take part in the unveiling of his mother's memorial alongside Prince William It was hoped the event could help 'heal their brotherly rift' but sources say there was no time to address the ongoing row A source told The Sun that no 'peace talks' had been held between the brothers during Harry's visit but could be possible in September 'It is a step forward but this was not the time or the place,' they said. 'September is a date pencilled in for a more extensive celebration of the statue, and Harry will want to return.' Kensington Palace were approached for comment. Harry had spent a week in the UK prior to the event although most of it was in government-enforced quarantine at Frogmore Cottage. While William and Harry were seen walking together and holding conversations with relatives during the memorial event, Harry left 20 minutes later His chauffeur-driven VW people career was given the full VIP treatment, driving straight onto the tarmac at Heathrow minutes before a 5pm flight back to Los Angeles - the first non-stop American Airlines flight out of the UK. The 36-year-old prince was clearly keen to be reunited with his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie, two, and their month-old baby daughter, Lilibet Diana. It is likely he met with his grandmother, the Queen, briefly during his stay. But on Wednesday, when he left quarantine, Her Majesty was in Scotland. His chauffeur-driven VW people career was given the full VIP treatment, driving straight onto the tarmac at Heathrow minutes before a 5pm flight back to Los Angeles The 36-year-old prince was clearly keen to be reunited with his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie, two, and their month-old baby daughter, Lilibet Diana When she returned to Windsor on Thursday she headed straight out to her beloved Royal Windsor Horse Show. She was there again yesterday, as well as preparing to meet the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Any the Queen and Harry did have together would have been minimal, despite claims she had invited the prince to lunch. His father, Prince Charles was in Scotland this week and did not see his son. Archie hasnt seen his British relatives since he was a babe in arms. Advertisement The 'most destructive' blaze in Cyprus's history has left a trail of devastation on the island as the charred bodies of four Egyptian workers were discovered outside a fire-swept mountain village. The blaze, which began on Saturday afternoon outside the village of Arakapas, was fanned by strong winds and spread quickly through the southern foothills of the Troodos mountain range as the country grappled with a blistering heatwave. Civil Defence volunteers found the remains of four bodies - now confirmed to be those of four Egyptian labourers - just outside the village of Odou on the southern edge of the Troodos mountain following the blaze. The wildfire has left a scene of devastation, with 50 houses destroyed so far, workshops covered in rubble and ashes, and 10 villages evacuated as the blaze scorched 21 square miles of pine forest and orchards. Farmers in Ora village have been forced to dispose of around 80,000 chickens that died from heat and smoke inhalation. By late Sunday afternoon, the government in Cyprus reported a reduction of (fire) outbreaks' thanks to 'effective water drops by Greek and Israeli aircraft'. 'We are experiencing the most destructive fire since the founding of the Cyprus republic in both material damage, but also unfortunately in terms of human lives,' Interior minister Nicos Nouris said. It comes as fire-fighting planes have been sent from European countries including Greece and Italy as well as Israel. Firefighters have been working to put out the blaze on the slopes of the Throodos mountain chain Crews have been working throughout the night to put out the blaze, which began on Saturday afternoon A view of completely burned forest and small fire in a mountain area in Larnaca region Cyprus on July 4 The fire has wreaked devastation on Cyprus - and pictured is a destroyed house near Ora village on the Southern slopes of the Troodos mountains on July 4 Farmers dispose of around 80,000 chickens that died from heat and smoke inhalation near Ora village Machinery is covered with ashes and rubble at a workshop in the Cypriot Agioi Vavatsinias village after a raging fire swept the area A picture taken on July 4, 2021 shows the carcasses of chickens that died from heat and smoke inhalation near Ora village The Egyptian government said the four dead, who were discovered near a burnt out car, were farm workers from the North African country. The four laboureres, aged 22 to 29, had gone missing on Saturday evening. 'All the indications support the fact that these are the four missing persons we have been searching for since yesterday,' Mr Nouris said. He added that he has informed the Egyptian ambassador to Cyprus and arrangements will be made to repatriate the remains. Odou community chief Menelaos Philippou told state-run Cyprus News agency the four men who worked at a greenhouse that grew tomatoes tried to flee the fire along a mountain road, but their small truck veered off the road and fell down an embankment. They then try to flee on foot but did not make it. More than 50 square kilometres (20 square miles) of forest and farmland had been destroyed. Thick gnarled trunks of ancient olive trees, emblematic of the holiday island, were reduced to smouldering stumps. President Nicos Anastasiades called the fire 'an unprecedented tragedy' except for the destruction wreaked by a 1974 war that split the island along ethnic lines after Turkey invaded in response to a coup aimed at union with Greece. 'Everything was a nightmare and pure hell here; the village was surrounded by fire,' said Akis Giorgiou, 45, from the hamlet of Arakapas. In areas where the fire had been tamed, grey ash replaced yellowed scrub as far as the eye could see in non-forested areas. Residents who saw their homes go up in flames vented anger at what they called authorities' slow response. A firefighter douses the flames in an effort to contain a fire near the Kotsiatis area on July 4 A firefighter climbs up a hill as they cover the flames in water in an effort to contain a fire near the Kotsiatis area, on the outskirts of Cyprus' capital Nicosia on July 4 A Spanish Air Tractor firefighting planne dumps water on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains close to Agioi Vavatsinias village as a major fire continues to burn on Cyprus on July 4 Firefighters try to stop the spread of the fire near Kotsiatis area, on the outskirts of Cyprus' capital Nicosia by dousing the flames with water Mr Anastasiades, who toured the fire-hit villages, pledged immediate government help to farmers and homeowners who lost crops and property and the families of those who died. Police said a 67-year-old farmer faces arson charges. A court ordered that he remain in custody for eight days to assist the investigation into the cause of the fire. Mr Nouris said firefighting aircraft and ground crews are focusing on two massive fire fronts between the villages of Odou and Vavatsinia. Mr Anastasiades said the blaze is 'partially contained' but the flames could intensify again if strong winds resume. Firefighters were seen along the road leading to Vavatsinia and several helicopters hovered above the fire as thick grey smoke obscured the sky on Sunday. An AFP correspondent in Ora village reported seeing several burned out homes. Mr Nouris said 36 people who were evacuated have been taken to hotels in the capital Nicosia, while food and water was being supplied to residents of the village of Melini. The country's entire fire department has been mobilised, with off-duty staff being called back into service, but the Cypriot government was still forced to request firefighting aircraft from other European Union member countries and Israel. So far, 70 fire engines, seven bulldozers and 10 water tankers have been called to the scene. Images also show many volunteers stepping forward to help. Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, said on Saturday its 'aerial firefighting capacity' had been mobilised, with Italy and Greece sending planes to help. Israel deployed a C-130 Hercules and two 'Air Tractor' firefighting aircraft. Britain, which has military bases on Cyprus, deployed two search and rescue helicopters while two Greek Canadair CL-415 aircraft arrived in Cyprus to battle the blaze. The huge blaze has left four people dead, destroyed homes and forced the evacuations of nearby villages in the area People in the village of Vavatsina in the Larnaca district of Cyrus, watch as a giant wildfire rages on Smoke from the forest fire billowed far and wide. This picture captures the smoke travelling over Ora Village, Larnaca The country's entire fire department has been mobilised, with off-duty staff being called back into service to help The fire has spread to the slopes of the Throodos mountain chain, leading to the evacuation of at least eight villages nearby So far, 70 fire engines, seven bulldozers and 10 water tankers have been called to the scene Residents of the villages impacted by the blaze could do little but look on as fire crews tried to quell the flames Crews are focusing their efforts on two fire fronts between the villages of Odou and Vavatsinia in a race to prevent it from spreading to the Machairaa National Forest Park The British Royal Air Force, which has a base at Akrotiri near Limassol, shared images online of its helicopters taking part in the efforts to stop the blaze. Crews are focusing their efforts on two fire fronts between the villages of Odou and Vavatsinia in a race to prevent it from spreading to the Machairaa National Forest Park. 'It is the worst forest fire in the history of Cyprus,' Director of the Department of Forests Charalambos Alexandrou told local television. President Anastasiades, who called the fire 'an unprecedented tragedy', is currently touring the fire-hit villages, and confirmed that the blaze is 'partially contained.' A government spokeswoman said later that the situation was close to being brought under control. 'The fire and forestry services inspected the affected communities and now consider them safe,' said spokeswoman Niovi Parisinou. 'The effort continues as complacency is not allowed until the final extinguishing of all fires,' she said, adding electricity supplies were being gradually restored. 'Instructions have already been given for people to return where homes are deemed safe.' Teams would be deployed immediately to start evaluating and registering damaged homes and property for compensation, she added. A charred excavator pictured in the village of Ora in the Larnaca district of Cyprus as the huge fire carries on Despite the efforts of fire crews, there are fears that the flames could intensify once again if strong winds reappear The fire blazed through homes in the village of Ora in the Larnaca district. Elsewhere, the fire rages on. The British Royal Air Force, which has a base at Akrotiri near Limassol, shared images online of its helicopters taking part in the efforts to stop the blaze. But, there are fears that the flames could intensify once again if strong winds reappear. Taking to Twitter, President Anastasiades described the blaze as 'the largest fire since 1974' when the island was divided after Turkey occupied its northern third. He said that 'the government will provide immediate assistance to the victims and the families of the victims. 'We will not leave anyone abandoned in the destruction of the fire.' A 67-year-old farmer was arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of causing the blaze, a charge he denied. Police said an eyewitness had seen him leaving the village of Arakapas in his car at the same time the fire started there, and could face charges of recklessly causing the four deaths. The man will remain in custody for eight days to assist the investigation into the cause of the fire. Flames have completely destroyed the forests on the slopes of the Throodos mountain chain The country has recently been experiencing a heat wave, and has received no rainfall in recent days The fire has ripped through the forest and orchards and at least eight villages in the area A Canadair flies over the forest fire in the Larnaca mountain region, releasing water to help to put out the flames The remains of the fire show burned out trees and ash on the ground of what was once a beautiful forest A burnt out house is completely destroyed by the fire in a village on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains The country has been experiencing temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius in recent days, and has had very little rain. Cyprus has had extended heatwaves and period of drought in recent years. Experts claim climate change is expected to increase the likelihood and frequency of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, extreme rainstorms, and could contribute to water shortages and drought, economic losses and lower crop yields, and higher sea levels and the destruction of coral reefs. A report published by the World Meteorological Organisation earlier this year warned that global temperatures could rise above the 1.5C (2.7F) limit set by the UN in just five years. This aerial image shows the extent of the fire on this property, which has left it completely decimated A burnt of car was photographed outside a property on Sunday after the flames had spread elsewhere A house in the village Agioi Vavatsinias on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains has been reduced to rubble A burnt out house shows the extent of the fire ravaging the mountains, which can be seen in the empty window panes There is a 40 per cent chance that annual temperature rises will go beyond the level set by the 2015 Paris Agreement, agreed to by 196 countries, it is claimed. The report published also warned of a very high likelihood a 90 per cent chance of at least one year between 2021 and 2025 becoming the warmest on record, outstripping 2016's record heat. Global average temperatures of 1.5C (2.7F) above 19th century levels are seen as a threshold beyond which the most dangerous impacts of climate change will be felt. In 2020, the global average temperature was 1.2C (2.16F) above pre-industrial levels, making it among the three hottest years on record. A a British Royal Air Force Griffin HAR2 Bell helicopter drops water on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains close to Agioi Vavatsinias village A police and crime commissioner has today urged Priti Patel to scrap plans for an all-graduate policy for police recruiting. Marc Jones, Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner, has warned that such a scheme could exclude older recruits - such as those who join from military backgrounds. He also said he had spoken to officers who claimed they would 'rather have a former soldier next to them' when dealing with a nightclub fight than someone with a '2:1 in expressive dance'. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, he said: 'It doesn't make sense to tell a former soldier: "I know you served your country, but when you get home to your wife and two children, or your husband, we also want you to study for a degree to be a firearms officer even though you've been in Afghanistan for eight years". 'An officer said to me: "At 2.30am in the morning when it's kicking off outside of a nightclub, and I'm about to get out of the car, I would rather the person next to me had done four years in the Army, than had got a 2:1 in expressive dance".' A police and crime commissioner has today urged Priti Patel (pictured) to scrap plans for an all-graduate policy for police recruiting Marc Jones (pictured), Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner, has warned that such a scheme could exclude older recruits - such as those who join from military backgrounds Mr Jones, who is set to become the chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, added: 'It's horses for courses. We need a mix.' His comments come after the College of Policing - the professional body for those who work in the police service - recommended to the Home Secretary about a policy of all-graduate recruits. The policy, which has not yet formally been rubber stamped by Ms Patel, would mean recruits will have to have a degree to join as a police recruit. Those who do not have a degree will have to join as an apprentice and study a degree while on the job. But critics warn that such a scheme could discourage former military personnel from joining the police force. The Government has previously advertised for ex-military personnel to retrain in policing roles, particularly armed-ones, and last year called on former servicemen and women to join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC). Mr Jones added: 'Policing should reflect the society it serves and two-thirds of people in our country are without with a degree.' He also warned that it could encourage people to sign up to the police as an apprentice, get a degree, and then leave after five years with the average 50,000 cost then falling to the police. His comments come after Nick Adderley, chief constable of Northamptonshire Constabulary, criticised the all-graduate recruit plans. Speaking to Police Oracle, he said police recruits joining after university are not prepared to work nights or weekends and are 'sadly lacking' in life experience. Chief Constable Nick Adderley of Northamptonshire Constabulary, who says 'very, very young' police recruits are 'lacking' in life experience Police at a protest in Newcastle (stock image). From June 23 the only route into policing will be through degree programmes He told Police Oracle how some new recruits in Northamptonshire had been so 'taken aback by the role' and the violence the force deals with that they had walked out of self-defence training. Some told the force they hadn't realised that working weekends and nights was part of the role, the Police Oracle reports. Chief Constable Adderley said that the recruits have 'no life experience' and he clearly tells them that the training 'is not an extension of sixth form college. This is a really serious business'. A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The Government wants talented individuals recruited from the widest possible pool of candidates to ensure the police service is a strong as it can be and so far, 9,000 additional officers have signed up as part of our drive to recruit 20,000 over three years. 'You do not need a degree to join the police, and those who join as apprentices earn a starting salary of up to 24,780 and receive degree-level training fit for modern day policing. 'We absolutely want to see Armed Forces veterans join the police and the Home Office is looking at ways we can better help them do so.' The spokesperson added that The College of Policing had 'been clear' that full implementation will be delivered 'at a pace with which forces are comfortable'. They added that the College had put in place a 'dedicated implementation team' which has been 'working with all forces since early 2018'. Meanwhile, Bernie OReilly, interim CEO of the College of Policing, told MailOnline: 'Policing has changed significantly in recent years and the new training has been created to reflect the challenges officers face and recognise the complex nature of the job. 'The public deserves highly trained, highly skilled officers that can protect them from all crime types, from domestic violence and digital fraud, through to organised crime and modern slavery, as well as protecting vulnerable people. 'There has always been a requirement for some classroom training, to complement the on the job training, this remains the case with the new training programmes which are fundamentally based on practical operational policing from the outset, which means that new recruits learn on the job, protecting and serving the public. 'A recent survey has shown 82% of new recruits joining the service have indicated an intention to stay in the service for a minimum of 10 years, and those undergoing the new training have said they are more likely to stay than those going through the old training.' The College of Policing added that the new training scheme had already been adopted by 33 forces and had contributed to the Government's target of 20,000 new police officers. A state health minister has been mercilessly mocked on national television for his stern and 'over dramatic' advice for residents impacted by the latest coronavirus lockdown. Millions of Sydneysiders and residents in surrounding regions remain under stay at home orders as the latest outbreak from the city's eastern suburbs surges past 220 cases. With no word yet on whether the two week lockdown will end as planned at midnight Friday, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard raised eyebrows with the claim that we're no longer safe from the highly contagious Indian Delta strain of the virus in our own homes with a reference from Australian movie classic The Castle. He also warned affected residents to not get too intimate or affectionate to those not living in their household, sparking bewilderment on The Project on Sunday night. Health minister Brad Hazzard (pictured) offered some stern Covid advice on Sunday 'Right now the most dangerous place is actually our homes,' Mr Hazzard told reporters at Sunday's Covid update. 'Aussies tend to think of their home as their castle. But right now it can be Covid central.' 'There is only one reason why you should be leaving your home at the present time, and that is caring for somebody who needs that care. His comments were mocked on Channel Ten's The Project as co-host Nazeem Hussain described the claims as 'slightly over dramatic.' 'Really? Brad Hazzard living up to his name! Thanks, great to know that. Nowhere is friggin safe!' the comedian remarked as amused co-hosts Lisa Wilkinson and Peter van Onselen struggled to contain their composure. The minister's comments left The Project co-host Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) amused Panllelist Jan Fran added: 'What does he want us to do if our homes become Covid central? Where do we go?' The program then aired more unusually intimate follow-up advice from Mr Hazzard. 'If you do have the need to go to someone's home, it would be very wise for you to avoid kissing, cuddling, closeness, any proximity at all,' he claimed. 'It could mean this virus can get you and spread it then to others when you leave that house.' The comments sparked laughter and ridicule from The Project panelists. 'What does he want us to do if their homes become Covid central? Where do we go?' Jan Fran (pictured) asked 'Yeah, that was health minister and sexologist Brad Hazzard,' Hussain quipped. Wilkinson added: 'So it used to be, 'darling, I've got a headache'. 'Now it's 'I've got a Hazzard'.' The minister also copped a barrage of public backlash and mockery online. 'We're ordering you to stay at home, that's the most dangerous place right now, it's Covid central we all clear & feel good about lockdown? FFS,' one woman tweeted. Another person added: If that's the case why are you EXPOSING people to that via LOCKDOWN?' Mr Hazzard's latest comments come after a day he publicly branded conspiracy theory activists 'wackos' and begged the public to ignore them. The Project's Peter van Onselen (pictured) was also bewildered by the minister's comments 'We are deep in a war with this virus,' he said on Saturday. 'When you're in a war, you don't win it with wacko views.' 'And we can't win this war unless the community are all with us, absolutely. Unfortunately, we're seeing that some people think it's okay not to wear masks. 'Wear a mask and don't get caught up in the wacko views some are expressing.' NSW recorded 16 new cases on Sunday, a day after the state recorded its highest daily spike in more than a year with 35. Detectives have admitted to 'losing' the boyfriend of a missing British woman who is the only person of interest in her disappearance. Police have issued a fresh appeal for Ryan Bane, an American skipper, to explain what happened on the night Sarm Heslop disappeared, The Mirror reported on Saturday. Heslop, 41, vanished on March 8 from Bane's boat, which was moored off the US Virgin Islands. Bane, 44, said he had last seen Heslop onboard but would not allow police to search the vessel. 'We have been keeping track of Ryan Bane but right now we don't know where he is,' USVI police department spokesman Toby Derima told The Mirror. 'I appeal to him now to contact us. I want to appeal to his conscience, to let us know what happened the night Sarm disappeared.' Derima added that police believed Bane could be on another Caribbean island. 'He is a person of interest to us and he is the only person of interest. We are not looking for anyone else.' Detectives have admitted to 'losing' the boyfriend of a missing British woman who is the only person of interest in her disappearance. Police have issued a fresh appeal for Ryan Bane (right), an American skipper, to explain what happened on the night Sarm Heslop (left) disappeared Heslop (left), 41, vanished on March 8 from Bane's boat, which was moored off the US Virgin Islands. The 44-year-old Bane (right) said he had last seen Heslop onboard but would not allow police to search the vessel Pictured: A map showing where the Siren Song was moored in the US Virgin islands when Sarm Heslop, 41, was reported missing on March 8, with American Ryan Bane, 44, telling officers that she may have fallen from the couple's catamaran A friend of Heslop's said the former flight attendant met her boyfriend 'at some point last year' while she was in quarantine having sailed to the Caribbean with two friends in 2019. The couple then locked-down together during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Bane, the couple had dinner together on March 7 at around 10pm before returning to the catamaran where they watched a movie. Bane then claims that he woke up at around 2am to find his girlfriend missing. Bane, who owns and skippers the 47-foot-long 500,000 Siren Song, said he was awoken by the boat's anchor alarm, which sounds when a vessel has moved too far from its mooring, and then discovered his girlfriend was missing. The US Coast Guard told local media it was alerted to Heslop's disappearance at 11.46am. Bane called the Coast Guard's San Juan station reporting that 'his girlfriend may have fallen' from the yacht. The Leopard 4700 luxury catamaran was moored off the coast of St John, the third-largest of the US Virgin Islands. In March, lawyers representing Bane said that he is 'devastated' that his girlfriend is missing, but said he would not be speaking to the media. Bane, who owns and skippers the 47-foot-long 500,000 Siren Song (pictured), said he was awoken by the boat's anchor alarm, which sounds when a vessel has moved too far from its mooring, and then discovered his girlfriend was missing Friends and family have said Heslop (pictured) would not have abandoned her life freely or without contacting any of her loved ones. Some have expressed disbelief that she might have fallen overboard Heslop (right) is pictured with her friend Kate Owen. The pair moved to the Caribbean together 15 months ago Police have been unable to find any evidence that Heslop, from Southampton, returned to the boat after the couple were seen leaving dinner at the 420 to Center bar and restaurant on the island of St John at about 10pm on March 7. Nor did they find any evidence that she had gone into the water. Her phone, passport and other belongings had reportedly been found on the catamaran. Bane, who has a conviction for assaulting his ex-wife, was charged with obstructing law agents by refusing to let US Coast Guard officials search his boat. When the officials boarded, Bane is reported to have stood in a doorway and told them they could not enter. He was handed a citation, which does not result in a criminal record. The investigation has been further complicated by a power outage knocking out CCTV in the bar where the couple was last seen. Divers from various law enforcement agencies have searched hundreds of square feet of water for Heslop. Volunteers from the Virgin Islands have also scoured the area around Cruz Bay during daylight hours, police said. 'We want more than anything to find out what happened to Sarm and to help her family,' Derima said. Friends and family have said Heslop would not have abandoned her life freely or without contacting any of her loved ones. Some have expressed disbelief that she might have fallen overboard. Her parents, Peter and Brenda, said in March that they would 'never give up' looking for her and still hoped to find her alive. Kate Owen, a friend of the couple who moved with Ms Heslop to the Caribbean 15 months ago, reportedly said Bane has stopped contacting her. In May, Heslop's friends set up a GoFundMe page to provide a reward for information and to cover her parent's travel costs to reach the islands. As of the morning of July 4, it had reached 8,451 of its 10,000 goal. Donald Trump on Saturday avoided suggestions of a rift between himself and Ron DeSantis after the Florida governor missed his rally in Sarasota, insisting he had told the rising Republican star to stay in Miami to deal with the Surfside condo collapse. Trump threw a rally for thousands of supporters 200 miles from the wreckage of the Champlain Towers South condo, where 24 have been confirmed dead and 121 remain missing. Aides to DeSantis and Trump were forced this week to deny that the Florida governor had asked the former president to postpone his rally while work continued to find survivors and victims at the disaster site. And before taking to the stage in Sarasota, Trump told Newsmax that he had spoken to DeSantis - a potential 2024 rival - and had told him not to attend the event. He said: 'We mutually agreed. He is working very hard. He is doing a very good job. He should be there. 'I told him: "You should stay there, this is not that important for you". He of all people should be there.' According to the Washington Examiner, DeSantis's office earlier this week 'made a direct plea' for Trump to call off his rally after the tragedy. Donald Trump, pictured at a rally in Sarasota, Florida, on Saturday has played down rumors of a rift with fellow Republican favorite Ron DeSantis DeSantis, pictured in Surfside Saturday, is rumored to have been upset with Trump holding a rally so soon after his state was hit by the Miami condo collapse disaster Trump threw a rally for thousands of supporters on Saturday night, 200 miles away from the Surfside condo collapse An anonymous source close to Trump told the Washington Examiner that 'nobody wants to cancel' the rally. 'The governor is getting tested here as to how far he's going to be pushed before he breaks ranks with President Trump. And he has to be very careful because this is Trump country,' the source told the Washington Examiner. 'The base loves the president. But they equally love Ron. It's a showdown going on right now.' The two men are eying each others' 2024 campaign plans and Democrats are eagerly seizing on any sign of a split. Every move that Trump makes is being viewed through a 2024 lens and opponents believe DeSantis's national prominence has irked the former president. 'Ron has had a good few months, reopening Florida and being seen on the national stage managing the Surfside collapse,' said a strategist who knows both men. 'You can bet he is being careful about not upsetting Trump, who is putting together a huge war chest and is still the biggest name around.' Advisers and former staff close to the two Republican figureheads say reports of tensions are overblown. 'It's a media creation,' said Sam Nunberg, Trump's former campaign adviser. 'People are just looking for splits that don't exist.' Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the media about the Champlain Towers South condo disaster Trump arrived in Florida with his own problems. His company and its chief financial officer were charged with 15 crimes this week in connection with alleged tax fraud and amid signs of weakening popularity within his own party. Two weeks ago, DeSantis bested Trump 74-71 in the annual Western Conservative Summit's straw poll in Denver. A year earlier, Trump won the poll with almost 95 percent of the vote. DeSantis is frequently spoken about as a 2024 nominee. And at 42 he represents a new generation of leader while Trump would be 78 if he runs again. Some saw a slight when Trump recently said he would consider DeSantis as a running mate, as if to suggest he was not up to the top job. And Joe Biden's visit to Florida, triggered the sort of glowing coverage of the Florida governor that the mainstream media never afforded Trump. 'Its an unconscious and uninhibited show of a shared humanity,' said the Miami Herald, describing a widely shared image of the president touching the governor's hand. 'Its a natural, but still remarkable, gesture that we hope will set tone for the challenging steps ahead.' White House officials went out of their way to thank DeSantis for his welcome. White House officials went out of their way to thank DeSantis after President Biden visited the scene of the Surfside condo disaster 'President Biden and his administration have been working hand-in-hand with state and local partners in response to the tragedy in Surfside - including with Governor DeSantis and his team,' said Michael Gwin, White House rapid response director. 'Were appreciative of the Governors warm welcome to Florida on Thursday and we will continue working in close coordination as we ensure state and local officials have everything they need from the federal government.' And the visit triggered a string of stories about Biden trying to woo a Trump ally. But Trump's red meat base took umbrage. In a slew of angry social media posts they dismissed DeSantis as a 'Trojan corpse' and accused him of sitting next to a fraud. The glowing coverage was met with an outpouring of anger among some Trump supporters who took to social media to condemn DeSantis for sitting down with President Biden Opponents have spotted an opening to disrupt Republican planning and drive a wedge between the two. A new political action committee to spoil DeSantis' 2022 reelection campaign has released an advert depicting him as a threat to the former president. 'He was a nobody, Donald, a rookie congressman,' runs the advert by the Remove Ron PAC. 'Then, you made him governor of America's third largest state. 'Now, Ron's beating you in the race for president.' But people who understand the two men see a different game developing. Neither wants a head-on clash, they say. Nunberg, who was taken on by Trump when he first considered entering politics in 2011, said he has seen the former president's playbook before. When he considered running for New York governor almost a decade ago he made an offer to the other Republican contender, Rob Astorino. 'He said to Rob, I'll run and I'll just make you lieutenant governor,' said Nunberg. 'What I assume is, if Trump runs in 2024 - and I think it's more likely that he will - he won't want a contested primary and I think ultimately he'll name Ron his VP from the beginning so they can start a campaign against Biden. 'It may not be what Ron wants... but he'll have to think about it.' pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was given 18-month community order and one-year driving ban Dr Stamatios Tzanninis, 31, was given an 18-month community order and one-year driving ban for after killing motorist Malcolm Reynolds while out for a drive with his girlfriend A 'reckless' junior doctor who killed an elderly driver after swerving on to the wrong side of the road has been spared jail. Dr Stamatios Tzanninis drove into the path of 82-year-old motorist Malcolm Reynolds while out for a drive with his girlfriend, a court heard. The hospital registrar's red Vauxhall Astra hit the oncoming Toyota Aygo, which flipped on its side and then ended up in a ditch. The pensioner had to be cut from the wreckage and died in hospital the next day. Southampton Crown Court court heard how Tzanninis told his girlfriend he believed he had fallen asleep during the crash which happened near Fordingbridge, Hants, on June 19 last year. But during a police interview the 31-year-old said he could not understand how the accident had occurred at all. Prosecution barrister Kim Preston said: 'The defendant was out on a day trip with his girlfriend travelling around the parts of the south and the victim in this case, Mr Reynolds, was driving his Toyota Aygo, unfortunately on the same road.' In a statement read to the court, Mr Reynolds' daughter said: 'Your reckless actions have caused so much grief and so much sorrow.' Tzanninis' red Vauxhall Astra hit Mr Reynold's oncoming Toyota Aygo, which flipped on its side and then ended up in a ditch. The pensioner had to be cut from the wreckage and died in hospital the next day Tzanninis pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. Defending, David Richards said: 'There is nothing that can compensate for the loss suffered by those who loved Mr Reynolds.' He read an apology letter on the defendant's behalf which said: 'I am sorry for what I caused to you. I am sorry for the tears and sadness that I brought.' He read an apology letter on the defendant's behalf which said: 'I am sorry for what I caused to you. I am sorry for the tears and sadness that I brought' Judge Nicholas Rowland said Tzanninis devoted his life helping others working as a junior hospital doctor in Salisbury. He was given an 18-month community order to include 180 hours of unpaid work. He will be disqualified from driving for 12 months. Migrants who cross the English Channel in small boats could be arrested on arrival under new laws brought forward by Priti Patel. The Home Office has announced migrants who make the perilous crossing and the people smugglers who enable the journeys to happen will face tougher punishments to prevent 'asylum shopping'. The Government will present its new Nationality and Borders Bill to the House of Commons on Tuesday as part of Ms Patel's pledge to 'fix' the UK's 'broken asylum system'. The proposed legislation will make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission, with the maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully rising from six months imprisonment to four years. A clause contained in the legislation will broaden the offence of arriving unlawfully so that it encompasses arrival, as well as entry into the UK. The move has been designed to allow those who are intercepted in UK territorial waters to be brought into the country to be prosecuted. Migrants who cross the English Channel in small boats could be arrested on arrival under new laws brought forward by Priti Patel Record numbers of people have made the journey across the English Channel in small boats so far this year. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel earlier on Sunday The Government is also proposing to increase the tariff for people smugglers, with those found guilty facing life behind bars up from the current maximum of 14 years. The Home Office said the sterner punishments were a bid to prevent 'asylum shopping', claiming that some migrants are 'picking the UK as a preferred destination over others' when asylum could have been claimed earlier in their journey through Europe. The unveiling of the Bill comes after record numbers of people have made the journey across the English Channel in small boats so far this year, with nearly 6,000 reaching the UK in the first six months of 2021. The total figure for 2020 8,417 could be eclipsed within two months if the number of crossings seen in July and August last year are repeated. Officials said the draft law was about 'sending a clear message to migrants thinking about paying people smugglers to make dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK'. Ms Patel said: 'The Nationality and Borders Bill contains vital measures to fix the UK's broken asylum system. Our new plan for immigration is fair but firm. 'We will welcome people through safe and legal routes whilst preventing abuse of the system, cracking down on illegal entry and the criminality associated with it.' The Home Office, when announcing the Bill, said it was 'very likely that those travelling to the UK via small boat will have come from a safe European Union country in which they could have claimed asylum'. The department added: 'Where this is the case, they are not seeking refuge at the earliest opportunity or showing good reason for seeking to enter the UK illegally but are instead "asylum shopping" by picking the UK as a preferred destination over others and using an illegal route to get here.' The Conservative election manifesto promised to change the immigration system, with the Government having vowed for some time to reform the asylum system, having described it as 'broken' and 'overwhelmed'. Ms Patel said in March she wanted to tackle 'illegal migration head-on' as she announced what she called the 'most significant overhaul of our asylum system in decades' in a bid to 'deter illegal entry into the UK'. Officials said the draft law was about 'sending a clear message to migrants thinking about paying people smugglers to make dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK' Figures shared by the Government at the time claimed that around 62 per cent of all claims are made by people who have entered the UK 'illegally', and 42,000 failed asylum seekers are still living in the country. The Government's legislation is intended to make it easier to process asylum claims while migrants will be treated differently depending on whether they arrive legally or illegally. Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, said: 'While the Home Office continues to make no safe and legal routes to the UK available for those claiming asylum, some people will continue to be forced to risk their lives to do so including in small boats across the Channel. 'Instead of peddling deliberately misleading myths and untruths about asylum and migration, the Home Office should be establishing safe routes for those few people escaping persecution who wish to seek asylum here.' Top doctors are urging Australians not to wait for their 'favourite vaccine' and instead get a Covid-19 jab as soon as possible. Dr Nick Coatsworth said 'real world data' shows the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are both equivalent in terms of effectiveness against coronavirus. AstraZeneca gives 92 per cent protection from hospitalisation or death, while Pfizer gives 96 per cent, which he called 'equivalent'. The former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, who spend all of last year shaping Australia's national pandemic policies, said Australia's fear of the AstraZeneca inoculation has become a 'significant barrier' to getting Australians vaccinated. Top doctors (Dr Nick Coatsworth, left, and Professor Tony Blakely, right) are urging Australians not to wait for their 'favourite vaccine' and instead get a Covid-19 jab as soon as possible The Oxford University designed dose has been linked to extremely rare blood clotting in Australia and throughout the world, and in some even more rare cases proving fatal. Two women, aged 48 and 52, have died in Australia after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, prompting the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to only recommend the British jab, which the federal government was relying on for the bulk of its rollout, to people over 60. But last week, with four states and territories in lockdown after multiple outbreaks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison walked back the recommendation and said those wishing to receive the vaccine should speak to their doctor. A registered nurse administers the Pfizer vaccine to a client at the St Vincent's Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic on July 1 in Sydney - with Australians urged to get jabbed as soon as possible Locked down Sydneysiders are pictured in Rushcutters Bay Park on July 4 (pictured) with much of the nation still not vaccinated 'We have to, as a community, accept the reality that it is a tiny tiny risk,' Dr Coatsworth told Channel Nine's 60 Minutes. 'We are talking about one in a million deaths and tragically that has happened to two Australians.' But he says the medical community is now 'much better' at detecting the potential side effects than before. 'My personal advice is that its no good having a vaccine sitting on the shelf, it needs to be in your arm and I would counsel those who are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine not to wait and to get vaccinated today. 'We now know from real world data from the UK, that even for the Delta variant, two doses of Astra gives you 92 per cent protection from hospitalisation and death and Pfiser - two doses give you 96 per cent protection. 'So they are equivalent in terms of effectiveness.' Prof Coatsworth said the medical community is now much better at detecting the potential side effects in vaccines than before. Pictured: Sydneysiders under lockdown in Rushcutters Bay Park on July 4 An enrolled nurse administers the Pfizer vaccine to a client at the St Vincent's Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic on July 1 While many are expecting life will return to normal next year after Australia's botched vaccine rollout gets back on track, epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely warned 'that won't happen' unless vaccination rates are very high. The public health expert said a vaccination rate of well over 90 per cent would be required to get back to our 'pre-Covid' lifestyles - a figure that's highly unlikely to be achieved. '(If you think) we vaccinate, I throw my mask away, we tell all the contact tracers to go home, we are back to rugby scrums in the pub, we are all safe - thats not happening,' he said. Prof Blakely said a target of about 70 per cent is a much more realistic target. While many are expecting life will return to normal next year after Australia's botched vaccine rollout gets back on track, epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely says 'that won't happen' (pictured, diners pictured in Melbourne after the city eased restrictions) Masks could here to stay unless vaccination rates improve, scientists warn. A woman in a face mask carrying a baby is pictured at Bondi Beach on July 2 But even if two thirds of the county are vaccinated he says 'masks are here to stay'. 'Ongoing mask wearing in appropriate environments with contact tracing and occasionally going into restrictions like reducing the density of restaurants and pubs by half should get us to a point where we are resilient,' Prof Blakely said. By then, people should be able to visit Australia without having to undergo hotel quarantine, he said. Prof Blakely believes we won't reach that point until about Easter next year, 'if things go well'. Kamala Harris visited a buzzing Las Vegas on Saturday as it welcomed droves of tourists for the Independence Day weekend - then warned Nevada must 'do better' to improve its flagging vaccination rate. The VP touched down to find Sin City back to something like its normal self, with revelers streaming in again, gambling revenue hitting an all-time high, the Strip getting its first new casino in a decade, and big concerts starting at a gleaming new stadium. During a speech to union workers at the Carpenters International Training Center, Harris touted the White House's planned $1.2trillion infrastructure package, which she vowed would great 'good union jobs'. The VP touched down to find Sin City back to something like its normal self, with revelers streaming in again and gambling revenue hitting an all-time high Guests party around a swimming pool in Las Vegas on Friday as the city returns to something like its former wild self 'This year not only will we celebrate our independence,' Harris said in comments reported by the Las Vegas Sun. 'We will celebrate our nation's resilience, because this year America is coming back together, because this year America is getting back to work.' However, she warned that America's recovery could be stunted by the spread of COVID-19 among the unvaccinated, who she said made up the 'vast majority' of people being hospitalized or dying. She also criticized the pace of the vaccination rollout in Nevada, which has seen 45.17% of people aged 12 and over receiving two doses, compared to 47.6% of the population as a whole. 'If we want to keep growing our economy, we also need to get more folks vaccinated,' she said. 'Frankly, we gotta do better in Nevada,' she added, 'guys, we gotta do better in Nevada.' The state set up a mobile vaccination clinic outside the center, which Harris promoted. 'The bottom line is that getting vaccinated is safe,' she said. 'It is the ultimate act of solidarity.' Gambling revenue has hit an all-time high, the Strip as received its first new casino in a decade, and big concerts starting at a gleaming new stadium (pictured on Saturday) The visit - part of President Biden's America's Back Together tour to celebrate the country's progress against COVID - contrasts from an earlier visit to Las Vegas in March when Harris met with volunteers packing emergency food boxes. Fifteen months after the pandemic transformed the city into a ghost town, it is quickly recapturing its normal buzz. Vegas is among US cities buzzing as July 4 holiday travel exceeded pre-COVID figures from 2019, with more than 2.2 million Americans taking to the skies, and a total of 50 million headings off for the long weekend. President Biden talks up his bipartisan infrastructure package during a visit to a Michigan cherry farm President Joe Biden talked up his bipartisan infrastructure package and additional plans for investing in families and education during a visit Saturday to a Michigan cherry farm. He also pitched his immigration plans when chatting with two couples from Guatemala who were picking cherries. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer greeted Biden's midday arrival in Traverse City, which is hosting the National Cherry Festival, an event that attracted Presidents Herbert Hoover and Gerald Ford in the past. Biden eats a freshly picked cherry from a bucket while meeting with workers as he tours King Orchards fruit farm on Saturday As they toured the cherry farm in nearby Antrim County, Whitmer told reporters she hadn't spoken to Biden about any infrastructure projects for Michigan specifically. 'I'm the fix-the-damn-roads governor, so I talk infrastructure with everybody, including the president,' she said. In recent flooding, she said the state saw 'under-invested infrastructure collide with climate change' and the freeways were under water. 'So this is an important moment. And thats why this infrastructure package is so important. Thats also why I got the president rocky road fudge from Mackinac Island for his trip here,' she said. Biden eats a cherry as he tours King Orchards fruit farm with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., on Saturday Advertisement Plexiglass panels installed to separate gamblers at the poker and blackjack tables have largely been removed, the world-famous buffets are reopening, and nightclub dance floors are packed. But that progress is threatened: Nevada this week saw the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the country, hospitalizations are on the rise again, and the highly contagious delta variant has become the most prevalent form of the virus in the state, adding urgency to the campaign to get more people vaccinated. Still, in a place where the economy runs on crowds and uninhibited behavior, a return to pandemic-related restrictions and mask requirements seems to be off the table. Inside the casinos, guests are not required to wear masks if they are fully vaccinated, but employees do not appear to be asking anyone for proof. 'It seems like everything is opening back up, getting back to normal,' Teresa Lee, a 47-year-old tourist from Nashville, Tennessee, said Thursday as she stood on the Strip, looking out over the fountains in front of the Bellagio casino. Lee said she is vaccinated and felt safe in Las Vegas because she read about the casinos' efforts to get their workers and their families vaccinated. Tyler Williams, a 22-year-old from Eugene, Oregon, said it didn't feel as if there was a pandemic anymore because 'people are everywhere.' He said he had seen hardly anyone with a mask apart from a few foreign tourists and felt no need to wear one himself, because he is vaccinated. Las Vegas fully reopened and lifted restrictions on most businesses June 1, though many casino-resorts had already returned to 100% capacity before that with approval from state regulators. Visitor numbers, while not at their pre-pandemic highs, have grown by double digits four months in a row. Shows and fireworks are scheduled for the July 4 weekend, and the new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium where the NFL's relocated Raiders will kick off their season this fall was set to host its first major concert Saturday, by electronic dance music star Illenium. It will be followed by a full-capacity show from Garth Brooks next weekend. Over the past two weeks, Nevada's diagnosis rate of 190 new cases per 100,000 people was higher than that of Missouri, Arkansas and Wyoming -- all states with lower vaccination levels and the state public health lab found the delta variant in almost half the COVID-19 cases it analyzed. Also, the number of patients hospitalized with the virus has grown 33% over the past week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though the levels are far below what they were in December, when hospitals were near capacity. State biostatistician Kyra Morgan said Friday that the spike in cases might be attributable to the full reopening of the state and city in June and that the return of crowds and big events on the Strip could cause the increase to continue. 'If we know anything about COVID, we know that when people are gathering in close proximity to one another in large volumes, that is the recipe for COVID transmission to increase,' Morgan said. Producer Illenium performs during his three-set show "Trilogy," the first concert ever held at Allegiant Stadium on Friday People cross Las Vegas Boulevard on Friday - fifteen months after COVID turned the city into a ghost town State and local officials said that almost all the new cases and hospitalizations involve unvaccinated people and that the best way to attack the problem is by getting more shots in arms. Nevada has fully vaccinated 45% of those 12 and older, well below the nationwide level of 55%, according to the CDC. 'We are a state of skeptics when it comes to vaccines,' Morgan said. 'We have a lot of anti-vaxxers, frankly, in the state of Nevada. State and local officials, who in May went so far as to hold a vaccine clinic at a strip club, said they are trying to find more ways to persuade people, including the launch of a cash raffle. Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak, who took the unprecedented step of shuttering casinos for 11 weeks last year when the pandemic started, said Thursday he will ask for help from the COVID-19 response teams that the Biden administration is dispatching to boost testing and vaccinations in communities with outbreaks. Sisolak's office did not respond to questions about whether he is considering reimposing mask mandates or other restrictions, but Las Vegas-area officials say they are following the CDC's guidelines, which say it is safe for fully vaccinated people to go mask-free. 'At this this point, there is no discussion about increasing restrictions to the business and social life here in Clark County,' said Dr. Fermin Leguen, chief health officer in the Las Vegas area. 'Getting better numbers in immunization is the solution for this problem at this point.' At least 300 flights at JFK Airport were canceled or delayed over the Fourth of July weekend because of a water leak at the airports control tower as US airlines enjoyed their busiest week since before COVID ravaged the travel industry. The airport notified passengers of the delays on its Twitter page shortly before 7pm on Saturday and the FAA held departing flights bound for JFK for about an hour. In a tweet, the airport wrote, JFK controllers are returning to the primary control tower following an earlier water leak. The airport remains open, however as a result of this, coupled with regional weather conditions, customers may experience residual delays. Contact your airline for your flight's status. Around 9pm, it followed up with, JFK controllers are operating from a secondary control tower due to a minor water leak in the main facility. Operations at this facility, combined with area weather, require more spacing between aircraft. As such, the FAA is holding most flights destined for JFK from departing. At least 300 flights at JFK Airport were canceled or delayed over the Fourth of July weekend because of a water leak at the airports control tower, the airport tweeted on Saturday around 7pm The FAA held departing flights bound for JFK for about an hour The airport urged travelers to check their flight status after crews tended to the control tower's leak All airborne inbound flights and departing planes were delayed by an average of 30 minutes, NBC New York first reported This comes as the airport sees a sudden surge in demand as the number of passengers flying is the highest it's been since before the pandemic All airborne inbound flights and departing planes were delayed by an average of 30 minutes, NBC New York first reported. Further details of the water leak were not shared, thought some tweeters claimed that they'd heard rumors of a roof collapse. DailyMail.com has contacted JFK Airport for further comment. It is unclear what long-term impacts the leak and subsequent delays will have on air travel, but data on the airports website shows dozens of diverted flights traveling to airports along the east coast, including Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Miami. The leak comes amid an already jam-packed weekend for the tourism industry, which must meet the sudden surge in demand as the number of Americans flying surpassed pre-pandemic Transportation Security Administration screening numbers. Figures from the TSA on Thursday and Friday show that airport screenings climbed above 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic began. On Thursday, 2,147,090 people were screened, surpassing the 2,088,760 travelers on the same day in 2019. There were 2,196,411 travelers screened on July 3, as compared to the 2,184,253 people who travelled on July 2 in 2019. These numbers far surpass 2020 figures, when high death and infection rates limited travel over the holiday weekend to reach a high of just 764,761 people on July 1, 2020. The strong travel numbers for Independence Day weekend are mainly due to domestic U.S. leisure travel, with most business-related and long-haul international travel still on hold, CNBC.com reported. European Union nations are welcoming back vaccinated US travelers - although the United States has yet to return the favor and lift ongoing travel bans on the EU and UK. The TSA said that on Thursday and Friday airport screenings climbed above 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic began In total, 47.7 million people will travel by car or plane over the weekend, 40 percent more than last year and just 2.5 percent lower than the record level set in 2019 In total, 47.7 million people will travel by car or plane over the weekend, 40 percent more than last year and just 2.5 percent lower than the record level set in 2019. Hopper economist Adit Damodarn told ABC News that July 4 was the most searched for weekend on its travel booking site so far in 2021. Domestic holiday spots like Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando are most popular, he said, while those heading further afield are opting for the Caribbean and Mexico. Chicago O'Hare, LAX, and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport will be the busiest while Friday and Monday will see the heaviest flow of travelers through the nation's airports, he said. United Airlines recorded its busiest day since the start of the pandemic on Thursday and expects to surpass this record again on July 5, reported ABC. The surge in travelers has left the tourism industry struggling to cope with the sudden demand, after it was hammered by COVID-19 restrictions over the last year Overall, two million passengers are forecast to fly with the airline between Thursday and Tuesday. The surge in travelers has left the tourism industry struggling to cope with the sudden demand, after it was hammered by COVID-19 restrictions over the last year. Airlines which were forced to furlough or lay off staff as air travel ground to a halt last March are now struggling to get enough crew members to fly their planes. The TSA has said it plans to hire 6,000 new officers to cope with the surge in summer travel and is launching recruitment initiatives to drive interest. The staff shortages across the air travel industry could mean long waits at airports for passengers eager to reunite with friends and family. 'Airlines, airports and the TSA, I think, were all surprised by how quickly travel has rebounded,' Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS News. Considering the number of people wiling to leave their homes to celebrate this weekend, consumer behavior throughout the summer is expected to revitalize the battered tourism industry after it was stalled by the pandemic. 'What we have is what I call pent-up demand squared,' Sean Snaith, an economist at the University of Central Florida, told WSJ. 'You have this traditional notion of pent-up demand, but it's coupled with the fact that people were literally pent up in their homes. The confluence of those two types of pent-up demand are being unleashed.' But despite travel numbers that rival pre-pandemic days, the US is still battling the coronavirus and officials said they are currently witnessing a rise in cases of the Delta variant. More than 30 percent of adults are still not vaccinated and officials are concerned about large numbers of vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans mixing, with Joe Biden warning that 'lives will be lost' because of people who didn't get the shot. The US is currently averaging about 12,000 new cases and 250 deaths a day now thanks to 66.8 percent of the nation's adults have received at least their first dose of the vaccine. It is short of Biden's goal of 70 percent by July 4. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky on Thursday warned that around 1,000 counties nationwide are especially 'vulnerable' as they are yet to reach the 30 percent milestone. This is enabling the Delta variant to spread rapidly, she warned, with cases of the new strain now recorded in every state. The Biden administration has prepared for a further rise in the Delta variant in areas of low vaccination by setting up surge response teams that can spring in to action and help if an outbreak erupts. Joe Biden started his Independence Day with a trip to church in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. The president emerged from St. Joseph on the Brandywine on Sunday morning and was pictured walking through the cemetery, where his son Beau Biden is buried. First lady Jill Biden, who is usually alongside her husband for church services, was not pictured this Sunday in Wilmington. Instead, she was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania attending and speaking at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony in front of Independence Hall. Biden spends the majority of his weekends away from Washington in Wilmington, where he is usually pictured attending Catholic mass once sometime twice during his two-day stay. President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, spent his Independence Day morning attending mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware First lady Jill Biden was not pictured with her husband. Instead she was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania speaking at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony in front of Independence Hall Biden and first lady Jill will head back to Washington, D.C. on Sunday afternoon for a BBQ at the White House with first responders and military families where he will make remarks celebrating 'independence from COVID-19' The first couple will leave Wilmington Sunday afternoon to head back to Washington, D.C. for a July 4 celebration at the White House. The president will make remarks to mark Independence Day, but the White House notes it will also be a speech celebrating 'independence from COVID-19'. 'In his remarks this evening, the President will celebrate the progress the country has made in its pandemic response,' a White House official said ahead of Biden's speech. The official noted that due to the administration's vaccination efforts 'Americans across the country are able to celebrate this Fourth of July together.' 'The President will also reflect on the over 600,000 lives lost from the virus. He will note that, while we've made strong progress against the virus in the United States, the job is far from over,' the statement continues. Essential workers and military families are invited to the Fourth of July BBQ at the White House ahead of Biden's remarks despite concerns of the Delta variant. 'The President will thank the military families and essential workers who are attending the event for their sacrifices for our country, especially during the pandemic,' the White House official said. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients defended the event to ABC News. 'The event at the White House is being done in the right way,' he said, assuring it is being conducted 'consistent with CDC guidelines.' Biden and First Lady Jill will then view the annual fireworks display over the National Mall from the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris is spending her holiday at her home in Los Angeles, California. The president departs service and walks through the cemetery, where his son Beau is buried, to his car After church, Biden played a round of golf at Wilmington Country Club with former Senator Ted Kaufman. Pictures are the two departing the course on July 4, 2021 Before heading back to D.C., Biden stopped by Wilmington Country Club for a round of golf with former Senator Ted Kaufman. Ahead of the holiday, Biden's administration has lauded their vaccine push and insisted that celebrating July 4 in the traditional way is safe again as long as all the people engaging in the festivities have received the jab. However, the U.S. missed Biden's goal of getting 160 million Americans fully immunized by the mid-summer holiday. He also wanted at least 70 per cent of adults to have received at least one shot by July 4, 2021, a second vaccine goal that was not reached. Zients, who succeeded Dr. Deborah Birx, said the failure could be due to young people who were made eligible for the vaccine much later than adults. He also told ABC's This Week on Sunday that this demographic has 'felt less vulnerable to the disease.' 'We made a lot of progress,' Zients praised in a separate interview with CNN's State of the Union on Sunday morning. 'I think we're much further along than anyone would have anticipated at this point.' Chicago's July 4 weekend saw the city's serious crime rate continue to spiral, with six people shot and killed and another nine struck by bullets and wounded in less than 72 hours. The deadly violence began early Friday evening at around 6:30pm , when 20-year-old Jeremiah Fangster was fatally shot and his unidentified pal, also 20, shot in the leg and wounded after a gunman walked up and opened fire on their car while they waited at a red light at the 3900-block of West 16th Street. Fangster, who was driving, accelerated away quickly. He crashed into a nearby building, with his car striking a 65 year-old man, who was injured as a result. Fangster's killer remains on the loose, with no arrests made as of Sunday. Cops have yet to share a motive for the killing. An hour later, a 55-year-old woman was hit by gunfire just after 7pm while driving south on I-94 in the Fuller Park neighborhood, according to Illinois State Police. A 55-year-old woman was hit by gunfire just after 7pm while driving south on I-94 in the Fuller Park neighborhood, according to Illinois State Police. The scene is pictured That shooting caused all southbound lanes on I-94 to be shut down at 26th Street until about 10:15pm The woman was shot in the chest and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition but ultimately survived, fire officials told ABC 7. That shooting caused all southbound lanes on I-94 to be shut down at 26th Street until about 10:15pm, the news outlet reported. Not even an hour later, a 62-year-old man was shot at 7:40 pm in the 200-block of East 47th Street after a gunman hopped out of a Jeep Laredo and opened fire at a crowd he was in. That victim only received minor injuries after being transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the leg. Later Friday night, a 40-year-old man was shot and killed at 11:20pm after an argument ensued with a neighbor over loud music coming from his apartment, before the neighbor shot the man several times in the torso. The shooter in that case immediately fled the scene and has still yet to be apprehended, according to authorities. There was yet more violence before daybreak Saturday, with a 39-year-old man being shot in the leg at 1:15am while driving through the Park Manor neighborhood in the 6600 block of South King Drive. Police say a gunman in a passing black SUV fired shots. Officials also discovered a 19-year-old man who had been shot to death at around 1:25am in Belmont Cragin on the city's Northwest Side. The teen was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Police say there were no witnesses in that shooting, and authorities have yet to release the dead victim's name. Then at 3:25am, a 26-year-old man was shot by a passing vehicle while outside in the 9700 block of South Oglesby Avenue in the Jeffery Manor neighborhood. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to both legs before being taken to nearby Advocate Trinity Hospital in stable condition, police said. In response to questions regarding criticism over her job controlling the city's rising crime, Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissed 99 percent of it as racist and sexist Police said the next fatal shooting occurred shortly before 4:45am on Saturday, when a 39-year-old man was shot in the head while traveling in the back seat of a vehicle in the 4400 block of West Cermak Road in the Lawndale neighborhood. A 17-year-old boy who was a passenger in a car traveling along the 300 block of South Western Avenue in the Near West Side neighborhood was shot in the thigh at 5:30pm. The teen told police that he had heard gunshots before feeling a sharp pain in his leg before being transported to Stroger Hospital in stable condition. At 5:50pm, 41-year-old man was shot in the leg while he was driving in the Washington Heights neighborhood after someone shot at his car from the sidewalk. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in good condition, according to authorities. By 7pm Saturday evening, cops received a call reporting a car driving slowly and hitting the curb in the 4200 block of South Cicero Avenue in Little Village on the Southwest Side. Witnesses told police that the car had been shot at from a passing black Audi SUV, which left a 20-year-old man dead and two others, ages 32 and 37, wounded. He too has yet to be publicly identified. At 8:30pm, a 28-year old man, who cops have identified as Theardis Boss, was shot in the head in a backyard in the Roseland neighborhood. He was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made in that case, either. An hour later, a 34-year-old man was shot in the 1000 block of North Lawndale Avenue in the Humboldt Park neighborhood just before 9:30pm. He was shot in the leg after a gunman in a dark-colored sedan traveling south opened fire in his direction. The Windy City's latest eruption of violence came days after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissed almost everyone who criticized her as racist or sexist. In recent months, there have been questions raised about your temperament and your reaction to criticism a (Chicago) Tribune editorial used the term irascible how much of this do you think might have to do with the fact that youre a woman and specifically a black woman? asked Phil Ponce of WTTW. In response, Lightfoot said, 99 percent of it. Asked to elaborate, Lightfoot said, Look at my predecessors. Did people say that Rich Daly held tea sessions with people that he didnt disagree on? Ron Emmanuel was a polite guy who was a uniter? No. Woman and people of color are always held to a different standard. I understand that. Ive known that my whole life.' The mayor's comments came in an interview with WTTW, a local PBS station, when she was discussing the city's recent spike in violence as well as critiques of her approach to handling it 'And the Tribune or whoever could write what they want. What Im doing is fighting for the residents of this city. Im an advocate. Im going to continue fighting. Obviously we need to be focused on uniting people as much as we can, but I was elected and ran on disrupting the status quo. And when you disrupt the status quo, you are gonna make people uncomfortable. Youre are gonna have people criticizing you. Her comments came in an interview with WTTW, a local PBS station, when she was discussing the city's recent spike in violence as well as critiques of her approach to handling it. Chicago's latest crime statistics show the city of 2.7 million people saw 78 murders in June. That is a 20 per cent drop in the 98 murders it witnesses for June 2020. More than 300 people have been murdered in the Windy City this year, although as of July 1, there have been six fewer murders this year than there were for the same period of 2020. The gold coin has been in several prominent private collections since the start of the 20th century An extremely rare 22-carat gold coin from the reign of Henry VIII, considered the origin of the pound, is set to go under the hammer this month for 50,000. The Sovereign gold coin, one of only five known examples on the market, was issued by the Tower of London between 1538 and 1541. At the time, the six times married British monarch was exerting his authority having just made himself head of the Anglican church. The front of the coin shows the King on the throne holding a sword and sceptre, with a Royal shield atop a Tudor rose on the reverse. The gold coin has been in several prominent private collections since the start of the 20th century. An extremely rare 22-carat gold coin from the reign of Henry VIII, considered the origin of the pound, is set to go under the hammer this month for 50,000 The Sovereign gold coin, one of only five known examples on the market, was issued by the Tower of London between 1538 and 1541 It is going under the hammer with auctioneers Spink & Son, of London, who say it was the largest gold coin in Tudor England. Gregory Edmund, coin specialist at Spink & Son, said the period in which the coin was minted was crucial for Henry in several ways. 'This was at the time that Henry VIII was making himself head of the new Church of England, confiscating monasteries and celebrating the birth of his wanted son Edward VI,' Edmund said. 'I can trace only five examples of this particular type of coin in commerce, and this example has a provenance through several notable collections as far back as 1927. 'It is the biggest gold coin in Tudor England and the first English coin to depict a monarch in full regalia seated upon a throne - in effect demonstrating to high society and visiting merchants that the Tudors are well and truly in power. 'The coin itself is the origin of our modern pound coin, although its present shape wasn't hit upon until the later 19th century.' The Sovereign coin was the 20 shilling coin of its day, which was converted into the modern pound coin in 1971 with decimalisation. The auction takes place on July 7. Six former Conservative work and pension secretaries have joined forces to urge Rishi Sunak to make a 20-a-week uplift in the value of Universal Credit permanent. The Government increased the value of the payments during the coronavirus pandemic to offer more support to struggling families. It was only supposed to be a temporary boost but there are growing calls for the increase to be retained. Former Tory leader and the architect of Universal Credit, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, along with five of his successors - Stephen Crabb, Damian Green, David Gauke, Esther McVey and Amber Rudd - have penned a letter to the Chancellor on the subject. They want Mr Sunak to stick with the 5billion benefits investment even after coronavirus restrictions have been eased. Sir Iain Duncan Smith and five other former Tory work and pensions secretaries have written to Rishi Sunak to urge him to keep a 20 uplift in the value of Universal Credit in place The extra cash for benefit claimants was brought in as an emergency spending measure during the Covid crisis but is due to expire on October 1, having already been extended for six months at the March Budget. But Sir Iain warned a failure to keep the uplift in place would 'damage living standards, health and opportunities' for those that 'need our support most as we emerge from the pandemic'. Research from the Legatum Institute think tank calculated that the weekly top-up has spared hundreds of thousands of people from destitution. Although the number of people claiming benefits has risen from three to six million during Covid-19, the group estimates Universal Credit has saved a further 650,000 people from falling into poverty over this period. In a joint letter to Mr Sunak, the six former cabinet ministers said: 'The UC uplift has rightly been allocated into the standard allowance of UC as many have not been able to work and it has been right to protect people whilst they cannot work. 'But as the economy reopens, and the Government re-evaluates where it has been spending money, we ask that the current funding for individuals in the Universal Credit envelope be kept at the current level.' Ministers told MPs in the Commons last week that there will be less need for the 20 uplift once coronavirus restrictions have been scrapped, with the Government looking set to abolish social distancing restrictions from July 19. But in a statement, Sir Iain said making it a permanent feature 'should be at the heart of what makes us Conservatives'. 'One of the greatest, but unremarked, successes of the Government's response to Covid has been the benefit system,' the Tory grandee said. 'Universal Credit has held up well as a system for distributing money to those who need it, and the extra 20... has been essential in allowing people to live with dignity. The letter to Mr Sunak has been signed by Amber Rudd (pictured left), David Gauke (pictured right), Esther McVey, Damian Green and Stephen Crabb 'Today all six former Conservative secretaries of state for work and pensions have written with one voice to urge the Chancellor to protect the extra money he has invested in Universal Credit. 'As such, this investment should be at the heart of what makes us Conservatives: delivering the policies needed to provide businesses and people across the UK with opportunities to prosper, whilst simultaneously providing support to those at risk of being left behind. 'A failure to act would mean not grasping this opportunity to invest in a future with more work and less poverty and would damage living standards, health and opportunities for some of the families that need our support most as we emerge from the pandemic.' America's largest teachers' union has announced it backs the teaching of critical race theory in schools, wants to hire staff to 'fight back' against those who oppose CRT, and has called for an October 14 rally to be held in honor of George Floyd's birthday. The National Educator's Association recently approved a resolution to promote critical race theory through its existing channels, work to 'fight back' against opponents of the practice. It also wants to assemble a team to teach it to union members and create a 'national day of action' to start a dialogue about systemic racism on October 14 George Floyd's birthday. The resolution reads that the NEA will 'provide an already-created, in-depth, study that critiques empire, white supremacy, anti-Blackness, anti-Indigeneity, racism, patriarchy, cisheteropatriarchy, capitalism, ableism, anthropocentrism (human centered points of view) and other forms of power and oppression at the intersections of our society.' It continues to say that the NEA plans to 'publicly (through existing media) convey its support for the accurate and honest teaching of social studies topics, including truthful and age-appropriate accountings of unpleasant aspects of American history, such as slavery, and the oppression and discrimination of Indigenous, Black, Brown, and other peoples of color, as well as the continued impact this history has on our current society. 'The Association will further convey that in teaching these topics, it is reasonable and appropriate for curriculum to be informed by academic frameworks for understanding and interpreting the impact of the past on current society, including critical race theory.' President Becky Pringle has also agreed to make public statements in support of critical race theory and 'racial honesty in education' The National Educator's Association recently approved a resolution to promote critical race theory in schools - and said it wants to hire a team to 'fight back' against those opposed to CRT As part of the resolution, the NEA, whose Washington DC headquarters is pictured, will assemble a team to teach it to union members In addition to its plans, the NEA will join with Black Lives Matter at School and the Zinn Education Project to create a 'national day of action' on October 14 George Floyd's birthday to have a dialogue on systemic racism The 1619 Project won the Pulitzer Prize in 2019. It was praised by some as shining a light on untold history, but lambasted by others, including former President Donald Trump, for what he said was a jaundiced view of the US The resolution promises that the NEA will oppose efforts to ban critical race theory and The 1619 Project, a collection of essays, photo essays, short fiction pieces and poems published by the New York Times Magazine in August 2019 to 'reframe' American history based on the impact of slaves brought to the US. The project, in the words of the NYT, aims to reframe the country's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of the national narrative. A number of historians have knocked the project for putting ideology ahead of historical understanding. And, in April, thirty-seven Republicans led by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell demanded that the U.S. Department of Education not teach the 1619 Project because it puts a 'divisive agenda' over accuracy. Politico Playbook first reported that McConnell penned a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on behalf of himself and 37 Senate Republican colleagues asking the nation's education chief not to include The New York Times' controversial project in a curriculum update. In addition to its plans, the NEA will join with Black Lives Matter at School and the Zinn Education Project to create a 'national day of action' on October 14 George Floyd's birthday to have a dialogue on systemic racism. Then, on October 15, it will have another day of action to commemorate Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice and other black lives taken by police. The NEA represents 3 million public school employees in all 50 states. The union has a $350 million annual budget, and its members span 14,000 local communities. Following the NEA's decision, Christopher Rufo, an outspoken opponent of Critical Race Theory, wrote in a tweet, 'BREAKING: The nation's largest teachers union has approved a plan to promote critical race theory in all 50 states and 14,000 local school districts. The argument that 'critical race theory isn't in K-12 schools' is officially dead.' Rufo continued: 'The union has also approved funding for "increasing the implementation" of CRT in K-12 curricula and for attacking conservative groups who oppose CRT indoctrination. 'The teachers union has made critical race theory its #1 priorityand want to implement it nationwide. 'According to a recent YouGov survey, 58 percent of Americans oppose critical race theory, including 72 percent of independents who believe teaching it in schools is "bad for America." 'But the teachers union wants to double-down and impose this divisive ideology on your children. 'The NEA represents 3 million public school employees in all 50 states. They have a $350 million annual budget and an army of operatives in 14,000 local communities. They have now declared war on parents who oppose critical race theoryand parents must fight back!' Following the NEA's decision, Christopher Rufo, an outspoken opponent of Critical Race Theory, wrote in a tweet, 'The argument that 'critical race theory isn't in K-12 schools' is officially dead' Rufo has been working to expose 'critical race theory indoctrination' in American companies and institutions including government agencies for at least a year Parents protested critical race theory in schools at a board of education meeting in Ashburn, Virginia, which is on of 26 states debating a ban on the controversial initiative Nine states have enacted complete bans on implementing critical race theory in schools As of June 29, 26 states have introduced bills or taken steps to restrict teaching critical race theory or limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism, according to an Education Week analysis. Nine states have enacted complete bans. It is unclear how the NEA will carry out its plans in these states or how it will get around such bans on critical race theory. Some of the steps the NEA will take include conducting a virtual listening tour to educate its members on how to implement critical race theory and other approaches to addressing systemic racism in the classroom. President Becky Pringle has also agreed to make public statements in support of critical race theory and 'racial honesty in education.' According to Pringles bio on the NEA website, she is a middle school science teacher with 31 years of teaching experience and a fierce social justice warrior, defender of educator rights, an unrelenting advocate for all students and communities of color, and a valued and respected voice in the education arena. Before serving as president, Pringle was NEA vice president and secretary-treasurer before that. She directed NEAs work to combat institutional racism, and spotlight systemic patterns of racism and educational injustice that impact students. Critical race theory examines how racism pervades all aspects of society, and disadvantages black and brown people. Its supporters say it provides awareness of how insidious racism can be, and how to tackle it. Opponents of CRT say it is overly divisive, and wrong to teach young children that they are either oppressed or oppressors depending on the color of their skin. While it's already been approved, the NEA noted that its plans cannot be implemented under its current 2021-2022 budget and would cost an additional $127,600 to carry out. Reports said spectators became 'frightened' and 'some hurried to leave show' But audience members were shocked to see lions fighting each other in the cage A vicious fight that broke out between lions in a circus ring has sent 'terrified' spectators scrambling for the exit. Footage shows the big cats' trainers wielding large sticks to strike the animals in front of hundreds of children and parents at a gala re-opening of a major Russian circus. One lion attacked two others at the first performance after a four-year renovation at Saratov's permanent circus complex. The beasts ran amok in the ring before the trainers regained control. Audience members were left 'terrified' and some 'hurried to leave the show' after a fight broke out between lions at the gala re-opening of the Saratov circus in Russia. The fight came moments after the circus's head lion trainer had told how Russia would defy demands from anti-cruelty campaigners for a ban on performing animals. The ring was caged off but local reports said spectators had been 'frightened' and 'some hurried to leave the show'. The circus said there were no injuries to the trainers but the performance involving a dozen big cats was curtailed due to the 'emergency', it was reported. Some 500 were watching when the brawl broke out. The circus said there were no injuries to the trainers but the performance involving a dozen big cats was curtailed due to the 'emergency' One lion attacked two others at the first performance after a four-year renovation at Saratov's permanent circus complex Guest of honour Sergei Belyakov, head of the Russian State Circus, had told the audience that the reopening was 'a splendid momentous event'. Lion trainer Vladislav Goncharov admitted ahead of the fight that many countries had banned live animal performances. 'Our Russian and Soviet circus lived and should continue to live,' he said. 'Children come to the circus primarily to see animals and clowns. 'We will support and popularise it.' The ring was caged off but local reports said spectators had been 'frightened' and 'some hurried to leave the show' But there have been complaints of the lions crying through the night and disturbing local residents. Local campaigner Sergei Borisov said: 'This is not Africa, but the area next to the city circus. 'They brought the lions ahead of the premiere performance. 'It appears the lions were caged outdoors, while the lionesses are inside the building. 'When will this animal abuse be banned? This is just barbarity.' Irina Novozhilova, of animal rights group VITA, has called for the prohibition of all circuses with live animals, which remain popular across Russia. 'No circus conditions will be humane for one simple reason,' she said. 'Training goes hand in hand with cruelty. circuses are always cruel beyond limits. 'And circuses with animals should be banned.' A woman miraculously survived plummeting 60ft off a cliff after slipping during a coastal walk and fractured her spine. Rebekah Crawford, 37, was enjoying a family walk in June last year when she plummeted from a cliff near Lamorna Cove in Cornwall. She had been walking along a narrow bit of path on the cliffs when her left ankle twisted and she fell down with nothing to stop her tumbling off the edge. Rebekah Crawford, 37, (pictured in hospital) was enjoying a family walk in June last year when she plummeted from a cliff near Lamorna Cove in Cornwall Thankfully she survived the ordeal, despite suffering six lumbar fractures, and described her terrifying experience. Rebekah said: 'My head hit this slab of rock and the noise and the pain. I've just never felt anything like it. It went through my whole body. 'I didn't realise at that point that I'd actually fallen 56ft down the cliff. I remember that awful feeling of falling and there was nothing underneath. 'I was trying to claw at the grass. My head hit the rock on the bottom, which was really painful. I remember hearing my sister scream.' Her sister Debs said: 'It's like something you see in the movies - a body just free falling bouncing off rocks as she went. 'And I remember looking over the cliff and thinking, "oh my God my sister's dead".' Rebekah had been walking along a narrow bit of path on the cliffs when her left ankle twisted and she fell down with nothing to stop her tumbling off the edge. Pictured: Rescue teams work to rescue Rebekah on the cliff side Rebekah's family called 999 and Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to resolve the incident. Debs added: 'I distinctly remember the helicopter overhead and the Cornwall Air Ambulance came into view and I remember breathing a sigh of relief, thinking "thank God for that".' The steep cliffs and loose terrain meant the helicopter had to land on a headland some distance away with critical care paramedics Pete Storer and Jeremy Griffiths making the rest of the journey on foot with all their medical equipment. They were joined by a doctor from The British Association for Immediate Care and the Land's End Coastguard Rescue Team. Mr Storer said: 'It's definitely one of the most hazardous areas I have worked in. There was only space for four people, we were confined to a tiny ledge suspended precariously above a sheer drop of over 100ft on to rocks. Paramedics had to get to Rebekah on foot before they were able to secure her and their equipment safely to the cliff while they waited for the search and rescue helicopter 'Reaching Rebekah it was obvious she was in a great deal of pain. We suspected she had a spinal injury and were concerned about internal bleeding from such a significant fall. 'Due to the location we knew an aerial winch was the only way to get Rebekah off the cliff safely.' The crew secured Rebekah and their equipment safely to the cliff while they waited for the search and rescue helicopter. The coastguard helicopter crew winched Rebekah from the scene and transferred her to Royal Cornwall Hospital where she had a CT scan - revealing a head injury but no bleed. She suffered six lumbar fractures but was fortunate not to need surgery. She said: 'I thank god that day. If I'd fallen two feet further over I'd have gone right off the edge. Rebekah (pictured recently) suffered six lumbar fractures but was fortunate not to need surgery but had to walk with a frame for several weeks 'I remember thinking it was surreal - I was so scared being winched by the helicopter. The crew were just incredible, I owe my life to them. 'The doctor said they rarely attend someone who falls that distance and survives.' Rebekah was moved to West Cornwall Hospital, where she works as a physiotherapist, and spent five days there - walking with a frame and crutches for several weeks. She returned to work in September but she has yet to walk on the coast path since the incident. 'It was one of the most scary things that's ever happened to me but also really put life into perspective,' she added. Lockdown shoppers who visited a busy Woolworths where a staff member was unknowingly infected with Covid have been ordered to isolate. The alert concerns Hillsdale Woolworths, 6km south-east of Sydney's CBD, with hundreds of shoppers now plunged into 14-day isolation, regardless of any Covid test results. Woolworths confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an infected staff member worked on June 30 between 9.30am and 6.30pm, as well as on July 1 between 9am and 6pm. Anyone who attended the Maroubra Coles on Monday, June 28 from 7.10am to 8.20am and also on Tuesday June 29 11pm to 11:45pm, is also considered a close contact, but none of its workers are infected. The stores were among a list of new venues announced by NSW Health late on Sunday night, after the state recorded 16 new Covid cases. The long list of venues and public transport routes flagged by NSW Health is spread right across the Harbour City from the Covid-ravaged eastern suburbs, to the inner west, outer west and the Lower North Shore. Bondi's cluster has shot up to 222 cases, with dozens of other mystery infections which have not yet been linked. Anyone who visited Hillsdale Woolworths (pictured) on Wednesday June 30, between 9.30am to 6.30pm and on Thursday July 1, between 9am to 6pm, is a close contact of an infected worker - meaning hundreds of shoppers have likely been plunged into a fortnight of isolation Walkers are seen out in Bondi on Sunday (pictured) with new exposure sites popping up across Sydney's eastern suburbs 'We're making contact with our Hillsdale store team members and will provide our full support to those self-isolating in line with the advice from the NSW Health Department,' Woolworths told Daily Mail Australia in a statement. 'The safety and wellbeing of the local community is our priority, and as a food retailer, we have very high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place. The store has undergone an additional deep clean overnight.' Other venues causing concern for state health officials includes Dan Murphy's in Gladesville on Sydney's Lower North Shore. Anyone who visited the liquor store on Saturday June 26, from 3pm to 3.25pm is considered a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self isolate until they receive a negative result. NEW: USE DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA'S TRACKER TO FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU: Dan Murphy's at Gladesville, in Sydney's Lower North Shore (pictured) has been listed as an exposure site The alert concerns Hillsdale Woolworths, 6km south-east of Sydney's CBD, with hundreds of shoppers likely to have been plunged into 14-day isolation, regardless of any Covid test results (pictured, walkers in Rushcutters Bay on Sunday) SYDNEY EXPOSURE SITES REVEALED SUNDAY NIGHT Anyone who attended any of the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result: Maroubra: Coles - Monday June 28, 7.10am - 8.20am Maroubra: Coles - Tuesday June 29, 11pm - 11.45pm Hillsdale: Woolworths - Wednesday June 30, 9.30am - 6.30pm Hillsdale: Woolworths - Thursday July 1, 9am - 6pm Anyone who attended any of the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact and must immediately isolate and get tested until a negative result is given: Gladesville: Dan Murphy's - Saturday June 26, 3pm - 3.25pm Rushcutters Bay: Lot 19 Cafe - Tuesday June 29, 8.25am - 8.35am Rushcutters Bay: Lot 19 Cafe - Thursday July 1, 8.25am - 8.35am Lane Cove West: Ampol Woolworths Metro - Saturday June 26, 8am - 8.15am Rose Bay: Coles - Sunday June 27, 11.20am - 11.40am Maroubra: First Choice Liquor - Friday June 25, 4.30pm - 5pm Anyone who travelled on the following bus routes at the times listed is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result: M90: Strathfield South Public School to Strathfield Station - Sunday June 27, 8.46am - 8.54am M90: Strathfield Station to Strathfield South Public School - Sunday June 27, 11.32am - 11.43am M90: Strathfield South Public School to Strathfield Station - Monday June 28, 8.36am - 8.42am 450: Grace Avenue, Lakemba, to Haldton St, Lakemba - Wednesday June 30, 11.21am - 11.24am 526: Homebush to Sydney Olympic Park - Saturday June 26, 9.33am - 9.44am M90: Strathfield Station to Strathfield South Public School - Monday June 28, 4.52pm - 5.01pm M90: Strathfield South Public School to Strathfield Station - Tuesday June 29, 11.51am - 12.00pm M90: Strathfield Station to Strathfield South Public School - Tuesday June 29, 5.20pm - 5.33pm Anyone who travelled on any of the following trains at the times listed is a casual contact and must immediately isolate and get tested until a negative result is given: T1: Strathfield to Auburn - Sunday June 27, 8.54am - 9.20am T3: Auburn to Strathfield - Sunday June 27, 10.39am - 10.49am T1: Strathfield to North Sydney - Monday June 28, 8.54am - 9.20am T1: North Sydney to Strathfield - Monday June 28, 4.16pm - 4.43pm T1: North Sydney to Strathfield - Tuesday June 29, 3.55pm - 4.22pm T3: Strathfield to Flemington - Tuesday June 29, 4.31pm - 4.36pm T3: Flemington to Strathfield - Saturday June 26, 8.07am - 8.25am T2: Newtown to Strathfield - Saturday June 26, 5.39pm - 5.56pm Advertisement Several supermarkets, busy cafes, eight buses and ten Sydney train routes have been added to the city's growing list of Covid exposure sites (pictured, police patrolling locked down Bondi Beach) Customers who visited the popular Lot 19 Cafe in Rushcutters Bay, in Sydney's inner east, are also considered close contacts if they attended on Tuesday, June 29 between 8.25am to 8.35am and on Thursday, July 1 between 8.25am to 8.35am. Several public transport routes from Strathfield in Sydney's west to Lakemba in the southwest were also flagged, along with stops at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday that 14 of the new cases were linked to previously confirmed infections. Thirteen were already in isolation, one was in isolation for part of their infectious period and the remaining two were in the community while infectious. Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on Sunday) warned that even though numbers were trending in the right direction, just a handful of people 'doing the wrong thing' could derail it The next few days in New South Wales are 'critical' according to officials, as the state continues to record new cases who have been infectious in the community (pictured, police speak to people in Bondi Beach) Five residents at Summit Care's aged care facility in Baulkham Hills, western Sydney, have also tested positive to the virus. All are showing little symptoms after being fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The results come after 45,079 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. The figure is a positive sign that Sydney and surrounding regions are on track to ease out of lockdown on July 9. Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that even though numbers were trending in the right direction, just a handful of people 'doing the wrong thing' could derail it. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday that 14 of the new cases were linked to previously confirmed infections (pictured, testing at Bondi Beach) The Porch and Parlour cafe and ceramics shop in Bondi Beach is directly next door to one kerbside bar, Calita (pictured). The cafe is a listed Covid-19 exposure site Sydneysiders have shown a more relaxed attitude to stay-at-home orders with crowds spotted gathering across the city enjoying the good weather. Ms Berejiklian said she was pleased to see the cases 'go the right way'. 'But I do say cautiously that that could still bounce around,' she said. 'And we've seen in the last few days how easy it is for people to unintentionally do the wrong thing, or intentionally do the wrong thing, and that can result in more cases which is something we don't want to see.' Ms Berejiklian has also reminded residents to follow lockdown instructions. 'So, we say to everybody, stay at home means stay at home,' she said. 'Only leave the house for exercise. Only leave the house when you absolutely have to. And please don't go visiting each other, because that's how the virus spreads.' The freedom of millions of Australians is beholden to the whims of paranoid medical chiefs and their state premiers, business leaders fear, as vaccines are rolled out to GPs for 40 to 59-year-olds to boost the fledgling rollout. Scott Morrison last week outlined a four-phase transition towards living with Covid and finally ending the relentless cycle of lockdowns and border closures. The Prime Minister hailed a 'new deal for Australians' first focused on vaccination, but top business bosses want the government to go a stage further and commit to ending lockdowns and opening international borders by the beginning of 2022. In a bid to quicken this process, thousands of Australians hoping to get vaccinated against Covid-19 will soon have their best opportunity yet, when more than 500 GPs across the country roll out the Pfizer jab for those aged between 40 and 59. The Pfizer vaccine will be available to more doctors from Monday, as several states and territories continue battling various coronavirus outbreaks which have lead to snap border closures and lockdowns. The federal government's heavily-criticised vaccine rollout will step things up this month with the Pfizer vaccine available to more doctors with several states and territories battling various Covid outbreaks (pictured, Sydneysiders in Bondi on Sunday) Thousands more Australians hoping to get vaccinated against Covid-19 will have their best opportunity yet, when over 500 GP across the country roll out the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 40 to 59. Pictured: A nurse administers the the Pfizer vaccine to a client at the St Vincent's Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic on July 1 NEW: USE DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA'S TRACKER TO FIND THE LATEST EXPOSURE SITES NEAR YOU: Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said businesses have 'had enough of lockdowns'. 'Our federation is already fragile enough without a premier or their chief medical officer taking it on themselves to think that they know best,' Mr Willox said. He acknowledged that while he is largely in agreement with the four-step plan, national vaccine targets need to remain 'realistic'. 'We don't want to set ourselves up to fail. What is agreed has to be achievable and in a reasonable time frame. To have a percentage target that is too high just defeats the purpose of having an agreement,' Mr Willox said. The pace of the prime minister's plan - which will eventually let the country manage Covid similar to who it treats the flu - depends on the vaccine rollout, with lockdowns eliminated once a certain percentage of Aussies have been fully jabbed with two doses. But business leaders like Qantas CEO Alan Joyce think the plan should be sped up, with most Australians 'not of a mindset to say lockdowns should be continuing into next year'. Mr Joyce told The Australian there was potential for the national cabinet to 'find common ground' on what the nation's vaccination thresholds should be. He said he agreed with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that lockdowns should end when everyone has been given an opportunity to get a jab. Business leaders like Qantas CEO Alan Joyce the plan should be sped up to most people 'not of a mindset to say lockdowns should be continuing into next year'. Pictured: Passenger disembark a plan in Ballina, NSW Scott Morrison (pictured) last week outlined a four-phase transition towards living with Covid and finally ending the cycle of lockdowns and border closures. 'If the logic of Dan Andrews and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk applies, once we've got every adult who wants a vaccine to be vaccinated, then surely that should be the threshold,' he said. 'I support that logic.' The airline boss also said that domestic and international borders need to be reopened as soon as 2022 rolls around, given the federal government's promise that every Australian will have the chance to get a vaccine by the end of the year. The first phase involves halving the number of arrivals into the country to 3,035 a week until August 31 to help keep out the highly contagious Delta strain, while the final stage sees all restrictions lifted except for testing of unvaccinated arrivals. 'From this week, selected general practices across Australia will also start to offer the Pfizer vaccine to their eligible patients, including those aged from 40-59 years of age,' deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd said. 'This week 500 general practices will start to have the Pfizer vaccine available, and I'm told nearly 40 per cent of these practices are in rural areas of the country. 'During this month, another 800 general practices will come online with the Pfizer vaccine as well as the AstraZeneca vaccine. This includes many Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, which will be offering the Pfizer vaccine progressively through July and August.' The Air New Zealand check in counter is seen at Sydney International Airport in Sydney completely empty on June 23 after New Zealand paused its travel bubble with Australia New South Wales reported 16 new Covid cases on Sunday, including three fully-vaccinated people in aged care who aren't displaying symptoms, as Sydney enters its supposed final week of lockdown. Lockdown was eased in south-east Queensland at 6pm on Saturday as planned, with just two new cases found on Sunday. Victoria is also returning to normality, with Melbourne restrictions eased after a string of zero case days. But recent school holidays were thrown into chaos thanks to snap border closures in nearly every state and territory, frustrating many. What are the four phases of opening up? 1. Vaccinate, prepare and pilot (from July 14) Arrival caps cut in half to 3,035 a week until August 31; lockdowns and state border closures as a last resort; trials of seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals; Medicare vaccination certificates available on apps like apple wallet 2. Post vaccination phase (when an as-yet unannounced percentage of Aussies are jabbed, expected early next year) No lockdowns or state borders except for 'extreme circumstances'; caps for unvaccinated arrivals doubled to 6,070; home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals; capped entry for students and economic visa holders 3. Consolidation phase (date not announced) Lifting all restrictions for outbound travel for vaccinated travellers; no caps for vaccinated arrivals; vaccinated people exempted from domestic restrictions; increased caps for students and visa holders; more travel bubbles being set up with countries such as Singapore; booster shots rolled out 4. Final phase (date not announced) Uncapped arrivals for vaccinated people without any quarantine and uncapped arrivals for unvaccinated people with testing before departure and on arrival Advertisement Barack Obama sent birthday wishes to his eldest daughter Malia on Sunday as she turned 23 - as he revealed how she used to think the July 4 fireworks were all for her. The former president, 59, tweeted: 'Happy Fourth of July, and Happy Birthday, Malia! It's been such a joy to watch you begin to make your own way in the world with poise, grace, and humor. I miss the days when you thought the fireworks were for you.' Malia's mom Michelle Obama also paid tribute on Twitter, sharing a rare childhood photo. 'Happy Fourth of July, everybodyand also, happy 23rd birthday to our dear Malia! Its been a few years since we took this photo, but I know that shell always be my sweet little girl whose big hugs and big heart always lift up my day,' the former first lady wrote. 'Malia, we love you, and are so excited to see what this year will bring for you!' Malia graduated from Harvard University this spring. Her first job will be working as a writer for an as yet unnamed Donald Glover series on Amazon Prime Video, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The former president, 59, posted a charming photo of him with Malia as a little girl He recalled how Malia used to think the fireworks on the 4th of July were to celebrate her birthday Malia's mom Michelle Obama also paid tribute on Twitter, sharing a rare childhood photo Malia had previously interned on the set of HBO's Girls, where she worked alongside Lena Dunham, who described her as an 'angel' during an interview with Howard Stern. Michelle recently told of her excitement for Malia as she moves to the next phase of her life, but said she was worried about the racism she could face as a black woman. The 57-year-old sat down with Gayle King for an interview on CBS This Morning in May and gushed about her now grown-up girls but noted that she wished she could be less worried and more excited for her daughters as they enter the world on their own. Malia graduated from Harvard University in May and has since moved into her first apartment. Her famed mom says she now hopes people won't 'make assumptions' about her because of her skin color. Malia has a British boyfriend, Rory Farquharson, 22, who quarantined with the Obamas during the early days of the pandemic Michelle Obama recently revealed of her excitement for Malia as she moves to the next phase of her life, but said she was worried about the racism she could face as a black woman 'I am excited for her next chapter. That's why I want to be as excited as every parent. I don't want to worry about her entering a world where she has to worry about how people will treat her because of the color of her skin,' she said. She went on: 'I am excited but I'd like to be more excited to know that as she goes out and gets her first apartment and rides the subway somewhere, that they don't make assumptions about her based on the color of her skin. That she's not at risk, out there, as an adult because she's a black woman.' Malia has a British boyfriend, Rory Farquharson, 22, who quarantined with the Obamas during the early days of the pandemic, with Barack revealing his stay saw their grocery bill rise by 30%. 'There was this whole visa thing, he had a job set up, and so we took him in,' the former president told the The Bill Simmons Podcast in December. 'And I didn't want to like him, but he's a good kid.' Malia (far right; with Sasha middle) graduated from Harvard University this spring before her first job working as a writer for an as yet unnamed Donald Glover series on Amazon Prime Video The former president had some anecdotes about quarantining together, including teaching card games to Farquharson and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, 20. 'Maybe teaching Malia and Sasha, and Malia's boyfriend who was with us for a while, spades and then having some spades games,' Obama said when asked about a fun quarantine moment. 'And teaching them how to properly trash talk and slam the cards down.' But he also learned that Farquharson's eating habits were very different to what they were accustomed to. 'The only thing you discover [is] young men eat,' Obama said. 'It's weird to watch them consume food. And my grocery bill went up about 30 percent.' Hidden cameras are now detecting drivers over the speed limit on both sides of the street in New South Wales. Mobile speed camera operations on the state's roads will triple this month, sparking a warning that a driver could done for low-level speeding every 38 seconds, according to new analysis. The NSW Government has already come under fire for the controversial removal of warning signs that previously alerted motorists to mobile cameras as part of a strict new crackdown on speeding drivers. A new change to monitor car speed in both directions was also secretly brought in, it has emerged, leading to the number of motorists being stung soaring by more than 1,500 per cent. The number of motorists being stung has since soared more than 1,500 per cent since warning signs for mobile cameras have been removed According to state Labor analysis, an average of 22,272 drivers each month were busted less than 10km over the speed limit in the first five months of 2021 compared to 1,397 during the same period last year, The Daily Telegraph reported. Figures also revealed $15.93million was raised from low-level speeding fines in the five months of 2021, compared with $872,000 in the same period in 2020. NSW opposition leader Chris Minns claim slammed the removal of warning signs and argued for a return to high visibility policing on roads. He claims the new policy is a revenue raiser and doesn't make NSW roads any safer. 'Central to road policy should be saving lives, not making a buck a threshold this policy simply does not meet,' Mr Minns told the publication. The office of transport minister Andrew Constance said changes were made to reflect the road rules in other states in Australia. 'Now (warning) signs are no longer required, bi-directional enforcement has resumed on some stretches of road,' a spokeswoman said. Speed cameras can now detect motorists on both sides of the road in NSW. Pictured is busy traffic on Sydney's Lane Cove Road She added it has already resulted in a change in driver behaviour and that speeding-related deaths have dropped from 50 per cent in 2020 to about 40 per cent in 2021. The minister hinted at the sneaky new tactics to sting speeding motorists in a NSW government release dated January 2 in relation to the 2020 road toll. 'We aim to halt this trend in 2021 by expanding the mobile speed camera program and removing markings from some of the vehicles so people know they can be caught anywhere, anytime,' Mr Constance said. The decision comes after unmarked mobile phone detection cameras decreased the number of drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel. NSW Transport figures revealed one in every 82 drivers were spotted using their phones while driving before the cameras were installed, which has since dropped to one in every 454. The NSW government insisted the statewide crackdown was about saving lives, not revenue collection. A pub has publicly shamed would-be customers who purposely booked 42 seats in its restaurant, only to fail to show up. The Black Ladd in Shaw, Greater Manchester was forced to turn away 47 genuine customers after an 'individual or individuals' used fake information to reserve seven tables. Made via an online booking service brought in due to coronavirus restrictions, each reservation, for six dinners, was made using fake contact details. The Black Ladd in Shaw, Greater Manchester was forced to turn away 47 genuine customers Staff at the Buckstones Road pub believe it was done on purpose, and have said members of the team last half their hours of service as a result 'which they rely to live on.' Bosses have said they believe it was done to disrupt the business financially. In a social media post, staff wrote: 'All management and staff at The Black Ladd want to say a huge thank you to the individual or individuals who decided to use our online booking service to book tables using false information and wasting 42 seats in our restaurant yesterday. 'It's not enough that our sector has already been hit the hardest due to covid, but this individual or individuals decided to book 7 tables each for 6 diners, all for yesterday using false data and telephone numbers each time with no intention of ever turning up. The nature of the NHS Covid app - which tells people to self-isolate if they have come within a certain distance of someone who later tests positive - means hospitality staff walking around busy venues are particularly likely to receive notifications 'This was done for no other reason that this person or persons wanted to disrupt our business financially. 'We had to turn away 47 customers yesterday that legitimately want to come and dine with us but due to this deliberate disgusting act we had to refuse them a table. 'The main reason this is so frustrating is that our lovely staff lost half of their hours yesterday which they rely to live on. What hurts just as much is we had to turn away some of our elderly loyal customers who come every Tuesday evening due to this disgusting act!! 'I will of course personally ensure none of my staff are out of pocket due to someone's act of stupidity.' The post went on to confirm that the booking system has now been changed. Customers will now be required to provide their card details so the pub will not be out of pocket if they fail to show up. Money will be taken from the card if bookings are cancelled too late or if the party doesn't arrive. The industry has already gone through a difficult period with the coronavirus. More recently, pubs and restaurants are experiencing severe labour shortages and are being forced to close and send thousands of staff home as a result of the NHS Covid app repeatedly telling them to self-isolate amid soaring case numbers. Employees must stay at home for up to ten days after coming into contact with a positive case even if they test negative for Covid. Hospitality chiefs want this changed so that anyone who receives a negative result can go back to work. A single Wetherspoons in Weston-super-Mare earlier this week had 75 members of staff forced to stay at home after coming into contact with positive cases, while Hawksmoor steakhouse in London received 25 test and trace notifications within four weeks of reopening. The nature of the NHS Covid app - which tells people to self-isolate if they have been in 'close contact' with someone who later tests positive - means hospitality staff walking around busy venues are particularly likely to receive notifications. Close contact means being within two metres of a person who tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more or within one metre for one minute or more. The app has previously been criticised for glitches, including sending out phantom exposure alerts, causing unnecessary alarm and periods of self-isolation for users. Advertisement The Brexit Protocol has damaged Northern Ireland's relationship with Great Britain and harmed its constitutional position in the UK, the new leader of the DUP has said in his first interview since taking office. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who replaced Christian creationist Edwin Poots last month, called on Boris Johnson to recognise the Protocol which he negotiated with the European Union has also hurt Northern Ireland's relationship with the Republic of Ireland and 'destabilised' the province. The Northern Ireland Protocol aims at avoiding a hard border on the island by effectively keeping the province in the EU's single market for goods. But Unionists and Loyalists have complained the terms are splitting Northern Ireland from Great Britain and hitting the pockets of businesses. Speaking to Sky News, Sir Jeffrey said there will be 'opportunities going forward', but they cannot be accessed yet because of 'unnecessary barriers' created by the Irish Sea border. He previously called the Protocol the 'greatest threat to the economic integrity of the United Kingdom in any of our lifetimes'. 'At the heart of the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement are our three sets of relationships, and there's a very delicate balance within that agreement as to how those relationships are managed,' he said. 'One of the key relationships is that between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The agreement is very clear. The principle of consent protects the rights of the people of Northern Ireland to determine their constitutional status. 'When you harm one of those relationships, you harm all of them by extension. That's exactly what we've seen happening because our relationship with Great Britain has been harmed by this Protocol. The Brexit Protocol has damaged Northern Ireland's relationship with Great Britain and harmed the province's constitutional position in the UK, new DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said in his first interview since taking office Sir Jeffrey, who replaced Christian creationist Edwin Poots last month, called on Boris Johnson to recognise the Protocol which he negotiated with the European Union has also hurt Northern Ireland's relationship with the Republic of Ireland and 'destabilised' the province New DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson insists the Brexit Protocol threatens the stability of the Stormont Assembly New DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has insisted it is the Northern Ireland Protocol, not his party, which threatens the stability of the Stormont Assembly. In his first keynote speech since being ratified as leader, Sir Jeffrey described the Protocol as the 'greatest threat to the economic integrity of the United Kingdom in any of our lifetimes'. He told party members gathered at the Stormont Hotel in east Belfast that the Irish Sea border is 'not just a threat to the economic integrity of the United Kingdom', but 'a threat to the living standards of the people of Northern Ireland and the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom'. 'In the weeks ahead our goal is to remove the Irish Sea border and to preserve and protect the internal UK market,' he said. Sir Jeffrey branded the Protocol a 'sledgehammer to crack a nut', describing the trade which passes through Northern Ireland to the EU as 'absolutely miniscule in comparison to the trade that the EU does in its entirety'. He said the UK Government should not doubt his party's resolve on the issue. 'This is not the time to talk up a crisis or to unnecessarily raise the temperature, but let me assure you that the Government understands our position and they know what needs to be done,' he said. 'I have, in recent days, held a series of meetings on the Protocol, including meetings with the Secretary of State and Lord Frost. 'While the Government is undoubtedly now accepting the case that the Protocol is unsustainable and unacceptable, there is still some way to go to reach an outcome that we can live with.' Advertisement 'So too our relationship with the Republic of Ireland has been harmed, and indeed it has undermined and destabilised relationships within Northern Ireland itself. 'We've seen that even on our streets. So it is imperative for all of us that we resolve these issues.' It comes after German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after holding talks with Mr Johnson at Chequers on Friday, expressed optimism that 'pragmatic solutions' can be reached on the Protocol. Asked why protesting loyalists should trust Mr Johnson to deliver on the issue, after he negotiated and signed up to the Protocol, Sir Jeffrey said Mr Johnson should be given a 'second chance'. 'I understand their scepticism, I really do. We've heard the Prime Minister, even in recent weeks, talk about addressing the issues and the problems created by the Protocol,' he said. 'We've heard him recognise that there are difficulties in terms of the relationship between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but not just in trading terms. The Prime Minister also needs to recognise that this impacts on our constitutional position. 'I'm prepared always to give people a second chance. I'm prepared to give the Prime Minister an opportunity now to put right what was done wrong to Northern Ireland under the Protocol.' He said if the issues stemming from the Protocol can be resolved, 'opportunities will flow'. 'I believe there are opportunities going forward. But we can't get to those opportunities because of these unnecessary barriers,' he said. 'Much of our supply chain comes from Great Britain, whether you are a consumer buying goods in the supermarket or a business relying on component parts for your manufacturing process. 'We need to fix that supply chain problem. We need to restore Northern Ireland's place within the UK, both the market and constitutionally. If we can do that, then yes, we will see the opportunities that will flow, provided we can find practical solutions.' Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has criticised the British Government for failing to acknowledge concessions given on the Protocol this week. On Wednesday the EU announced a number of solutions to ease the implementation of the Protocol. Following a request from the British Government, it extended the grace period on chilled meats entering Northern Ireland from the UK, averting the so-called 'sausage war' trade dispute. The EU also changed its rules to allow medicines to continue to flow from the UK into Northern Ireland and waived the obligation to show the motor insurance green card for drivers from the UK. Despite this, UK Cabinet ministers turned up their rhetoric in a bid to push Brussels into further concessions by warning of possible disruption to peace in the region. In a joint article in the Irish Times on Saturday, Brexit Minister Lord Frost and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the extension of the grace period on chilled meats was 'welcome' but added that it 'addresses only a small part of the underlying problem'. They warned the deal risks 'damage' to the Good Friday Agreement, which in 1998 helped to secure peace after decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, unless a 'new balance' is found in terms of customs checks. Addressing that letter, Mr Coveney said 'it's a very strange way to make friends and build a partnership' in a week when the EU had offered concessions. He told RTE's This Week: 'This is a week when the EU has moved, has shown generosity, has responded to requests from the British Government and from leaders in Northern Ireland. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (centre) prepares to lay a wreath as Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan (left) and former DUP leader Edwin Poots look on during a Battle of the Somme commemoration at Stormont, Belfast Angela Merkel met with Boris Johnson at Chequers for bilateral talks as she prepares to step down as German Chancellor later this year 'And at the same time, the British Government shows no generosity at all, in terms of even acknowledging that there were advances this week that could build trust and relationships.' With a reprieve in place, Lord Frost and Mr Lewis urged Brussels to adopt a softer approach to the implementation of the Protocol or else risk further economic disruption and possibly even upsetting the peace in Northern Ireland. Writing in the Irish Times, the ministers said: 'Opposition is growing, including among many people who are not normally active in political life. That is not a stable basis for the future. 'The current process to resolve all these difficulties is not working and risks creating a series of rolling crises as we lurch from one deadline to another. 'Wednesday's agreement to extend by three months the right to circulate British sausages and chilled meats in Northern Ireland is welcome, but addresses only a small part of the underlying problem. 'In short, a seriously unbalanced situation is developing in the way the Protocol is operating - this risks economic harm in Northern Ireland and damage, in turn, to the essential balance within the Belfast Agreement itself.' The Conservative frontbenchers called for a 'new balance in the way the Protocol is operated' to be put into place 'rapidly' and questioned how the EU's insistence on stricter application of the Protocol would help matters. 'If operating the Protocol on the current basis is making the situation worse, then how can pressing for an even more rigorous assertion of it make sense?' they asked. The pair said that the UK would have to 'consider all our options' if no solution is forthcoming as ministers have 'an overriding responsibility and obligation to support peace' in Northern Ireland, in what will likely be read as a further threat to act unilaterally to suspend irksome elements of the Protocol. The Prime Minister, at a joint press conference with German leader Ms Merkel, said he hoped the 'wurst is behind us' when it came to the chilled meat saga. The White House blamed on Sunday younger Americans for screwing up Joe Biden's goal of hitting a U.S.-wide 70 per cent one-shot vaccination by Independence Day. Jeff Zients, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, told ABC News that 20-somethings have a low vaccination rate because they have felt 'less vulnerable' to contracting and falling fatal to coronavirus. 'Younger people, particularly those in their 20s, have felt less vulnerable to the disease and, therefore, less eager to get shots,' Zients told This Week fill-in host Martha Raddatz. 'They were made eligible later so they have not been eligible as long and we continue to see hundreds of thousands of young people vaccinated each week,' he continued, referencing the triage of vaccinations earlier on in the roll out. Biden set a goal to get 70 per cent of Americans at least one shot by January 4, 2021 and 160 million Americans fully immunized by the same date. The White House fell short of both these goals. White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeff Zients blamed people in their 20s for the U.S. missing Joe Biden's goal to get 70 per cent of Americans at least one dose of the vaccine by July 4, 2021 'Younger people, particularly those in their 20s, have felt less vulnerable to the disease and, therefore, less eager to get shots,' Zients told This Week fill-in host Martha Raddatz Biden wanted 160 million Americans to be fully vaccinated by Independence Day another goal of which he fell short Other than young people, some southern states like Texas and Alabama have more hesitations towards getting vaccinated, which is driving down the national average. Elderly and immune-suppressed individuals were prioritized with the vaccine roll out when Biden took office. The last group to become eligible at the height of demand for the vaccine were younger, healthy Americans. The age minimum for a shot was at 16 until in May, when the Food and Drug Administration approved use for those as young as 12. Now, Pfizer one of the three vaccinations approved for emergency use in the U.S. said it will apply for authorization for children as young as 2-years-old in September. 'We need to continue to vaccinate everyone, particularly young people, because what we know is if you are vaccinated you're protected,' Zients promoted. He added: 'And if you're not vaccinated, you're not protected. And that's particularly important for everyone, including young people, in light of the Delta variant.' The White House is holding a BBQ celebration for the Fourth of July on Sunday with first responders and military families. There have been questions raised whether this is a good idea with the Delta variant surging. But Zients defended the celebration. 'Now, I assume they're taking precautions. But is having large crowds gather really the right message right now?' Raddatz asked Zients. 'We are much further along than anyone anticipated, with two out of three adult Americans already having received their first dose. That is worthy of celebration,' he responded. On the White House missing its July Fourth vaccination goal, COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients tells @MarthaRaddatz young adults "have felt less vulnerable to the disease," adding they were made eligible for the vaccine later as well. https://t.co/t1Ue9Qfzpj pic.twitter.com/0CfkGASQu5 This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 4, 2021 Zients assured: 'The event at the White House is being done in the right way. It's an outdoor event with testing and screening. Vaccinated people are not wearing masks. Unvaccinated people masked. So, it's being done in the right way, consistent with CDC guidelines.' Despite missing Biden's ambitious goal, Zients praised other milestones met in terms of vaccinations. He told CNN in a separate interview on Sunday that 'two out of three adult Americans' have at least one shot including a 90 per cent of seniors, or those over 65. Investigators said it is too early to determine a motive for the shooting at the Mobile home of Alabama State Senator Vivian Davis Figures Alabama police are searching for suspects who fired 23 bullets at the home of a Democratic state lawmaker before dawn on Wednesday. Investigators said it is too early to determine a motive for the shooting at the Mobile home of Alabama State Senator Vivian Davis Figures. A police representative told AL.com that it doesn't appear that the shooting was 'random.' No one was at home at the time of the incident and there were no reported injuries, according to WALA-TV. The incident was reported to police at around 12.53pm on Thursday. DailyMail.com has reached out to Figures seeking comment. The 64-year-old has served in the state Senate since 1997, earlier serving on the Mobile City Council. She entered politics after succeeding her husband, State Senator Michael Figures, who died in 1996. Figures' neighbors told WALA-TV that they heard about 5 or 6 shots that woke them up at around 5am on Wednesday Figures' neighbors told WALA-TV that they heard about 5 or 6 shots that woke them up at around 5am on Wednesday. 'At five o'clock that morning, I heard shots ring out and I laid there for a few seconds, but I didn't know whether if I jumped up quick, that a bullet or something may come through the window,' one neighbor told WALA-TV. 'I looked out of all the windows to see if I could see anybody walking around or driving but I didn't see nothing. 'Just heard the shots.' Neighbors said that Figures has lived on the same street in the Toulminville section of Mobile for more than 40 years. In June 2018, Figures' oldest son, Akil Michael Figures, 38, was shot in the leg in nearby Foley, Alabama. Later that year, Akil was arrested and charged with domestic violence. He is reported to have an extensive criminal record that includes drug-related arrests as well as traffic offenses 'She's a good neighbor, good neighbor,' one neighbor said. 'It's terrifying! Right in your own backyard or right on your same street.' In June 2018, Figures' oldest son, Akil Michael Figures, 38, was shot in the leg in nearby Foley, Alabama. Police said that Orneal 'OJ' McCaskey turned himself in to authorities in June 2018 Police said that Orneal 'OJ' McCaskey turned himself in to authorities. Investigators said that McCaskey shot Akil after driving to a home to confront him in a dispute over a female. Investigators said that Akil was driven in a private vehicle to a hospital. He is alleged to have given police false information about his identity. Later that year, Akil was arrested and charged with domestic violence. He is reported to have an extensive criminal record that includes drug-related arrests as well as traffic offenses. Akil denied abusing the woman, who had filed for a protective order. A history-loving carpet fitter has recreated an ancient machine to solve the mystery of how Stonehenge was built. Steven Tasker, 66, believes the long-forgotten machinery would have been used to transport the huge stones 180 miles. He came up with the theory on a visit to Egypt as he wanted to explain how the Pyramids were built. Steven Tasker, 66, believes the long-forgotten machinery would have been used to transport the huge stones 180 miles Steven's theory could explain how stone circles from the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire were moved to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire Steven estimates the machine would be able to travel 1.5 miles a day - meaning the Stonehenge stones would have taken months to transport Steven decided to build the rocking structure with his grandson to see if they could lift heavy stones. The mechanism features a circular board in the middle of wooden planks that sit on top of rockers and wooden feet. Steven, of Llanrhaeadr, Mid Wales, says it could 'move any weight' and may solve the Stonehenge mystery. He said: 'It may look like something out of Last of the Summer Wine, but we've lifted a third of a tonne with it and theoretically it could move any weight. 'I tied rockers below a plank of wood to try and work out how they could have been used. 'By using pivot points, I could counterbalance a 60kg roll of carpet on top and by using the rockers, walk it across the road.' Steven's theory could explain how stone circles from the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire were moved to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. He explained his ideas to Dr Campbell Price - curator of one of the UK's largest Egyptology collections at Manchester Museum. Dr Price was impressed with his theory and said the 'efficient movement of large numbers of ancient monuments' has never been fully explained. He said: 'Steve's experiments give a different perspective into how ancient people were able to plan paths of least resistance, and to manipulate natural forces.' Steven also believes the machine is referenced in the Old Testament when Ezekiel describes a 'vision of God being transported on cherubim.' Steven decided to build the rocking structure with his grandson to see if they could lift heavy stones Steven, of Llanrhaeadr, Mid Wales, says it could 'move any weight' and may solve the Stonehenge mystery Stephen came up with the theory on a visit to Egypt as he wanted to explain how the Pyramids were built The cherubim includes four wings and 'feet shaped like the sole of a calf's foot'. Steven said: 'The feet are an important part of the machine because the load's centre of mass is retained over them. 'It gives the impression the machine is defying gravity, but like any trick of the eye, a clown leaning forward with his big shoes, it looks like magic.' Steven estimates the machine would be able to travel 1.5 miles a day - meaning the Stonehenge stones would have taken months to transport. Engineer Shaun Whitehead, who led the Djedi robotic exploration of the Great Pyramid, said: 'I'm often approached by people who have their own ideas about why and how these great structures were built. 'I'm careful not to dismiss any of these without a little thought, but most can be shown to be unworkable or impractical. 'However, Steven's theories on how massive objects could have been moved demonstrate a very creative and practical engineering mind.' A 23-year old woman was slashed in the chest and hand in Times Square early Friday morning when a stranger lashed out after she ignored his catcalls, police said. The woman, whose name was not released, was visiting Manhattan from Michigan and leaving Restaurant Row in Midtown, around West 46th Street and Eighth Avenue, around 4.30am with a friend when the man began shouting crude remarks, according to the New York Daily News. Her friend told the stranger to leave her alone, but he grew enraged and followed them before approaching the woman from behind a slicing her across the chest and hand with an unknown sharp object, police said. The woman refused medical attention at the scene, but later went to an urgent care to treat her wounds, the New York Daily News reported. She is now recovering from her injuries. Surveillance images released by cops shows the assailant, who fled down ninth Avenue, to be a dark-skinned man in black clothing. They are asking for the publics help in identifying and locating him. Surveillance footage reveals the man who slashed a 23-year-old woman who ignored his catcalls in Times Square early Friday morning The man fled the scene on Ninth Avenue and police are still looking for him The woman, whose name was not released, was leaving Restaurant Row in Midtown (pictured) when the assailant first approached her The incident comes a week after a United States Marine was struck by a stray bullet in Times Square after CD vendors got in a fight and one opened fire, as seen in surveillance footage. The footage, released by the New York Police Department on Monday, shows a man in a mostly red sweater walking backwards on a sidewalk at around 5.15pm. As he shoots, nearby pedestrians run for their lives. The gunman can then be seen fleeing the scene, eastbound, toward Sixth Avenue. Police said the shooting broke out when a group of five or six CD vendors started arguing under the Marriott Marquis sign on West 45th Street, and one pulled out a gun. United States Marine Samuel Poulin, 21, was struck by a stray bullet in the attack and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He is stable, according to a police report. Poulin, who was visiting the city from Northville in upstate New York to attend a baptism, was walking with his family at the time when he was hit in the back by the bullet. Live 5 News reported that he recently graduated from the Citadel, and was treated by paramedics on the scene. 'He was standing up,' said another tourist Sydney Santana. 'He was talking and then they put him on a stretcher and took him on.' Both incidents mark the latest in a bloody summer as violent crime continues to spike in the Big Apple, jumping by a quarter over the past year, according to police data. Shootings in New York City have surged by 43 percent in the past year, while murders are up 12 percent. New surveillance footage shows the moment a man opened fire in Times Square Sunday night United States Marine Samuel Poulin, 21, was struck by a stray bullet in the attack Last Monday, Mayor Bill De Blasio said he is increasing police presence in the area Felony assaults and murders in New York City have gone up this year compared to the same period in 2020, according to NYPD data Last Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he is increasing police presence in the area. 'Now, we've seen patterns in Times Square that we are going to address very, very aggressively,' he said in a news conference, introducing his new Times Square Safety Plan. The plan would include the deployment of 50 more officers to the area 'to make sure that anyone who goes to Times Square knows they're safe.' The plan, which went into effect immediately after last Sunday's shooting, includes the deployment of 'dozens' more police officers, some of whom will be in plain clothes, to engage with street vendors. They would ensure the vendors are not engaging in 'aggressive panhandling,' NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison said, and would make sure they are not threatening pedestrians. It would be in addition to the officers the NYPD previously deployed to the area last month, de Blasio said. 'We are going to flood the area with additional police officers,' de Blasio said, adding later: 'There's no question in my mind this is going to work.' Advertisement Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff couldn't keep her hands off her GQ editor boyfriend Sam Hines as they soaked up the sun at the $5,600-a-night Eden Roc D'Antibes hotel on the French Riviera. Ella, 22, who signed with Gigi Hadid's modeling agency IMG in January, was pictured tousling the 27-year-old's auburn locks as they kicked back on a raft before diving into the cool waters of the Cote D'Azur. The model donned a scarlet bathing suit for her day on the water, flashing several tattoos on her arms, legs and torso while enjoying time in the sunshine. Later on Thursday, they were spotted enjoying a drink under parasols at a beachside bar in the popular celebrity haunt. Ella and Sam were first photographed together in February of this year, just weeks after the budding model earned viral fashion fame with the quirky look she sported at President Joe Biden's inauguration. Ella, 22, who signed with Gigi Hadid 's modeling agency IMG in January, was pictured tousling the 27-year-old's auburn locks as they kicked back on a raft at the $5,600-a-night Eden Roc D'Antibes hotel The model donned a scarlet bathing suit for her day on the water, flashing several tattoos on her arms, legs and torso while spending time in the sunshine In the months since the inauguration, Ella has become a regular fixture on the fashion circuit, signing a contract with modeling agency IMG, making her debut at New York Fashion Week, and celebrating her graduation from New York's Parsons School of Design. The stylish second daughter also released a debut knitwear collection in February, which sold out in minutes, and followed that up by unveiling a collaboration with popular brand Batsheva - the same company that designed the dress that she wore to the inauguration under a Miu Miu coat. But after a busy few months, it seems Ella is now content to spend some time relaxing with her beau, with whom she was pictured last week relaxing on a charter boat. Earlier this week, the duo attended a party to celebrate fashion brand Casablanca's new collection film Masao San, and they were joined at the event by the likes of Bella Hadid, Emily in Paris star Ashley Park, and Camile Rowe. Ella shared several candid snaps from the couple's French trip on her Instagram on Wednesday, including one photo that shows her capturing a picture of the ocean while traveling in the back of a car. The model also posted an image with her mother, Kerstin, who appears to have joined the couple on their trip to France and was seen wearing a pretty floral frock in the photo, while strolling towards the beach with Sam. Ella and Sam were first photographed together in February of this year, just weeks after the budding model earned viral fashion fame with the quirky look she sported at President Joe Biden's inauguration Ella is understood to have a close bond with her mom, her dad, and her stepmother Kamala, who publicly congratulated the 22-year-old on her graduation from Parsons last month in a sweet Instagram tribute Kerstin recently opened up about her cordial relationship with her ex-husband Doug and the Vice President in an interview with Politico - in which she also insisted that she doesn't want to be known simply as the Second Gentleman's ex-wife, but rather recognized in her own right for her professional accomplishments. 'I went from building a company from scratch and just trying to get attention to my company, my partners, my directors, the work that we're doing non-stop to you Google me and it's like crazy websites of "5 things you don't know about Doug Emhoff's ex-wife" or "Kamala Harris's Husband's ex-wife,"' she lamented. However, her struggle with the title of 'Doug Emhoff's ex-wife' has not stopped her from enjoying a friendship with him and Kamala, and she revealed that the trio used to attend spin classes at SoulCyle together - although she noted that this hasn't happened since the couple moved to D.C. and became the Vice President and Second Gentleman. 'We've talked about that but I think it would torture Secret Service,' she joked. Following their jaunt on the water (pictured), the were spotted enjoying a drink under parasols at a beachside bar in the popular celebrity haunt. Hipster couple: Ella and the 27-year-old Chicago native - who's senior associate editor of GQ and GQ Style - were first pictured dining on Hokkaido cuisine at Dr. Clark in Chinatown four months ago (pictured May 15) Kerstin, who is based in California, while her daughter lives on the East Coast in New York City, is the CEO of production company Prettybird, through which she has worked on several music videos for big-name artists like Beyonce and Nine Inch Nails. Ella is understood to have a close bond with her mom, her dad, and her stepmother Kamala, who publicly congratulated the 22-year-old on her graduation from Parsons last month in a sweet Instagram tribute. The Vice President posted an image of herself smiling proudly while posing alongside Ella, writing: 'Congratulations to our daughter Ella on her graduation. I am so proud of you. Keep dreaming with ambition and there is nothing you cannot achieve.' She signed off the note with the words 'Love, Momala' - the affectionate name that Ella and her older brother, Cole, call their stepmom. Ella and her sibling became step-children to Kamala in 2014 when the then-Attorney General of California tied the knot with Doug in an intimate courthouse wedding in Santa Barbara. 'I am so proud of you!' On May 15, the Bushwick tastemaker's famous 56-year-old 'Momala' (R) congratulated her on receiving a bachelor of fine arts from The New School's Parsons School of Design Engineers believe a Miami condo that collapsed killing at least 24 residents may have been built using less reinforced steel than the plans called for - as officials planned to blow up the remaining wing with 121 people still missing. Inspectors identified the issue at critical places in the base of the building in the first details about possible issues in the quality of construction at the 13-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside. Forensic engineering expert Allyn E. Kilsheimer confirmed there were signs that the amount of steel used to connect concrete slabs below a parking deck to the building's vertical columns may have been less than specified in the original drawings. Inspectors identified the issue at critical places in the base of the building in the first details about possible issues in the quality of construction at the 13-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside (pictured) Family members hold vigil for the missing victims of the collapse, which horrified the country 'The bars might not be arranged like the original drawings call for,' Mr Kilsheimer told the New York Times. He said the investigation was in its early stages, and he needed to examine the site further to confirm his theory. It remains unclear if this suspected steel deficiency may have led to the building's collapse, amid multiple claims there were also issued with flooding, which corroded the building's concrete structure. R. Shankar Nair, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, also noticed inconsistencies between the design and the steel that remained visible in the columns. Engineers pointed to three damaged columns in a western section of the building that remains intact, which were part of an exterior deck that served as a ground-level parking area. These were meant to be connected to horizontal slabs embedded with eight rods of reinforcing steel, yet by counting the ones left in the rubble they appear to be fewer in number. The death toll from the disaster currently sits at 24, and is likely to stay that way for some time. Recovery operations have been paused while demolition experts prepare to bring down the remaining wing of the condo building with explosives, amid fears Tropical Storm Elsa could demolish it. Engineers are working to ensure the condemned wing collapses in on itself, and not on top of the existing recovery site, with Mayor of Surfside Charles Burkett insisting people could still be pulled alive from its rubble. Asked on Sunday whether he was pursuing a 'search and rescue, not a recovery effort', Burkett said: 'It's absolutely not a recovery effort. I constantly am telling people about the BBC documentary, which outlines survivability after a building collapse, where they pulled a lady in Bangladesh out after 17 days. 'So we're not even near that. And, you know, there's nobody- nobody in charge really talking about stopping this rescue effort. 'And this rescue effort, as far as I'm concerned, will go on until everybody's pulled out of that debris.' This graphic shows how most of Champlain Towers South collapsed on Thursday June 24. The surviving wing will be demolished in the coming days amid fears over its stability Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava issued a State of Emergency Saturday for Tropical Storm Elsa and made the 'dramatic decision' to sign an emergency order to raze the building before the storm hits the area Monday afternoon. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told a press conference that they wouldn't let people who escaped go back and get their possessions before the demolition. 'At the end of the day, that building is too unsafe to let people go back in,' DeSantis said. 'I know there's a lot of people who were able to get out, fortunately, who have things there. We're very sensitive to that. But I don't think that there's any way you could let someone go back up into that building given the shape that it's in now.' The Miami Herald reported that some pets are still missing, including a cat called Coco who lived on the fourth floor. A search of the surviving wing did not uncover any pets - although searchers were unable to enter intact apartments to get a proper look. Meanwhile, multiple reports have emerged of warnings made by engineers and officials over the 12-story tower's declining condition in the weeks, months and years before its collapse. It recently emerged that one of the tower's managers sent an email to complaining city officials were delaying urgent repairs just days before the 13-story structure collapsed. The condo was set to undergo extensive repairs as part of a 40-year safety recertification due this year, and it appears the complex's management team were eager to have the work done as soon as possible. Back in 2018, they hired Frank Morabito Consultants to inspect the complex ahead of the recertification process. A report from the company raised concerns about the pool deck area, in which the waterproofing was failing, and the underground parking garage which was riddled with 'abundant' cracking. They quoted $16 million dollars worth of repair work, according to the Miami Herald. Morabito's firm also completed a survey in October 2020, in which they spoke of 'curious results' after taking samples from the building. Further information on what exactly those results were has not yet been shared. By April 2021, the complex had reportedly deteriorated further, with condo board president Jean Wodnicki writing to the building's owners, stating: 'We have discussed, debated and argued for years now.... indeed the observable damage such as in the garage has gotten significantly worse since the initial inspection.' On May 13 - just six weeks before the condo collapsed - Frank Morabito and condo management finally met with officials from the Surfside Building Department to discuss the proposed repair work. A manager at Miami's Champlain Towers condo complex sent an email complaining city officials were delaying urgent repairs just days before the 13-story structure collapsed Back in 2018, they hired Frank Morabito Consultants to inspect the complex ahead of the recertification process. A report from the company raised concerns about the pool deck area, in which the waterproofing was failing, and the underground parking garage which was riddled with 'abundant' cracking. They reportedly quoted $16 million dollars worth of repair work The Miami Herald reports that the condo managers had tried for a week to set up that meeting. Afterwards, Morabito sent off an e-mail to the department saying, in part: 'We respectfully request that we hear from the Town in the near future so we can make any necessary revisions to our contract drawings.' However, there was no response for more than a month. That silence prompted Scott Stewart, the condo's building manager, to write to James McGuinness, the director of the Surfside building department, on June 21. 'As we are out to bid on our project [we] need to get to answers to these questions... This is holding us up and costs are going up and out 40 year is coming up fast,' Stewart wrote. On June 23 - just one day before the condo collapsed - McGuinness replied, saying he needed more information about a temporary parking lot which would need to be set up for workers who would do the repairs. He said he wanted details on the parking lot in order to 'prevent the site from becoming a dust bowl or a mud bowl.' On the same day, McGuinness allegedly went to the top of the roof of the Chamberlain Towers condo complex to inspect it. He later told investigators: 'There was no inordinate amount of equipment or materials or anything on the roof that caught my building official's eye that would make me alarmed as to this place collapsing'. DailyMail.com has reached out to McGuinness and the Surfside Building Department for comment. Slides from the 2018 report are pictured above Frank Morabito of Frank Morabito Consulants is pictured at left. He completed an initial inspection of the building back in 2018 and flagged various problems. He was eager to conduct repairs, which were seemingly being delayed by local officials. Surfside Building Department Director James McGuinness is pictured at right Meanwhile, rescuers are now facing another challenge - COVID. So far, six members of one of the Florida rescue teams tested positive, Miami-Dade Fire Chief Alan Cominsky said, and the team was removed from the site. More than 420 other Florida search and rescue crew members were tested and all came back negative, Cominsky said Saturday. In terms of the demolition, officials were told Friday evening that it would take weeks to safely tear down the remaining structure, but Cava said Saturday morning that the Maryland-based demolition company Controlled Demolition Inc. came forward last night. Controlled Demolition Inc. says on its website that it has demolished 'thousands of structures across six continents using explosives.' Cava said they work fast, their engineers have studied the scene Saturday and said they could demolish the building before the storm impacts Southeast Florida. Meteorologists predict the eye of the storm, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, won't directly hit the area, but Surfside and the surrounding municipalities could feel the brunt of strong wind gusts. Rescue crews continue to sift through debris of the collapsed Florida condo Officials fear those gusts would knock down the remaining structure 'in a direction we don't want it to go,' Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said. Before the Saturday morning press conference, DeSantis and his wife Casey visited the makeshift memorial near the fallen building. They placed flags in the memorial and paid their respects to the victims. 'This was a tragedy like we've never seen because you just don't expect a building to fall,' DeSantis said during Saturday's press conference. A follow-up meeting will be held in the afternoon to finalize details of the demolition, which could be a precarious operation as experts enter the building to bore into the structure to install explosives. Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah said the remnants of the demolished building would be removed immediately after with the intent of giving rescuers access for the first time to the garage area that is the focus of the search. Currently, rescuers can't go above the first floor because the building is so unstable, Cominsky said. A 61 year-old Texan was filmed being chased by police after attempting to crash her town's July 4 parade on her antique tractor. Laurie Bostic was snapped and filmed remonstrating with cops while chugging alongside Saturday's official parade on her 1950s Ford 851 Powermaster after ignoring warnings that she was barred from joining in. Comical video taken by spectators in Rockwell showed Bostic determinedly trying to avoid capture as cops chased her using a slow-moving police car, and officers on foot, NBC DFW reported. Rockwall police first attempted to stop the 61-year-old over the 'dangerous way she was operating her tractor,' and for disobeying the orders of an officer, prompting a bizarre police chase with the officers determined to stop her. Video taken by parade spectators and sent to Dallas-Fort Worth's local NBC affiliate shows police, in vehicles and on foot, chasing the tractor while Laurie Bostic, pictured, sat on top Police attempted to stop the 61-year-old over the 'dangerous way she was operating her tractor,' and for disobeying the orders of an officer, prompting a bizarre police chase Bostic's motives are still unclear, according to Rockwall authorities, although online jokers have set her chase to the music from comedy drama the Dukes of Hazzard Police vehicles ultimately forced Bostic off and her tractor off of the road, where she eventually crashed into a chain-link fence before being taken to Rockwall County Jail The Dallas News reports that Bostic and her tractor were barred from entering the parade, so when she tried to join the procession despite warning's from nearby officers, officers pounced. One local woman claimed that Bostic was driving her beloved tractor recklessly, and even came close to hitting other spectators. Bostic then drove the tractor away in an effort to evade capture, before police vehicles ultimately forced her off and the tractor off of the road. She eventually crashed into a chain-link fence before being taken into custody and transported to Rockwall County Jail. Laurie Bostic was arrested on Saturday for evading arrest, interference with a processional, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief over the 'dangerous way she operated her tractor' 'Officers were able to force her from the road, where she ran into a fence, disabling her tractor,' the department said in a statement on the unusual arrest. A mugshot released by the Rockwall Police Department showed a bloodied Bostic, with a cut to her nose, draped in a towel and looking less than thrilled. It is unclear how she sustained that injury. Bostic's motives are still unclear, according to Rockwall authorities, although she has hit the headlines across the United States, and brought her town's parade far more attention than it would have gained without her unauthorized appearance. No-one was seriously-injured during the incident, although one wag set the chase to the theme tune from the Dukes of Hazzard - the 1970s comedy drama which saw brothers Bo and Luke Duke regularly chased around Hazzard County, Georgia, by Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane. The gate crasher shares her love of cars on her Facebook page, including a snap of the tractor she crashed the parade in after it was bought in 2010. Bostic captioned the photo: 'Our most recently acquired team of horses. It's a Ford 851 Powermaster (still working on the year of its birth) with a newly rebuilt 1960 172 CI gas engine. 'Runs like a top. It's going to stay hooked up to the sprayer for weekly foliar fertilization spraying.' There is no official information about what caused the explosion or if anyone has been injured Video shows the huge explosion lighting up the night sky as fireball erupted Explosion allegedly occurred at Umid gas field in Caspian Sea, local media say A huge explosion has ripped through an oil and gas field off the coast of Azerbaijan amid fears a rig or tanker has been destroyed. The blast is said to have occurred at the Umid gas field in the Caspian sea, according to local media reports. Video footage, which was taken from a nearby oil platform, shows the huge explosion lighting up the night sky as a fireball erupted. There is no official information about the incident, and it is unclear what has caused the explosion or if anyone is injured. A huge explosion has ripped through an oil and gas field off the coast of Azerbaijan amid fears a rig or tanker has been destroyed The blast is said to have occurred at the Umid gas field in the Caspian sea, according to local media reports The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) had initially said in a statement that the explosion had been caused by a mud volcano. But the company later edited their statement and deleted any mention of a 'mud volcano'. SOCAR representative Ibrahim Ahmadov said in a statement on Facebook: 'No accidents have occurred on marine platforms and industrial facilities under the direct control of SOCAR, and the work continues in normal mode. 'We will inform the public if there is any additional information.' WATCH: Large explosion reported near oil platform in the Caspian Sea; officials say it may have been caused by a mud volcano pic.twitter.com/eqwNw110bF BNO News (@BNONews) July 4, 2021 There is no official information about the incident, and it is unclear what has caused the explosion or if anyone is injured Russian news site Gazeta.Ru tweeted: A powerful explosion took place in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. 'At the moment, there is no official information about the incident. 'According to local media reports, the explosion allegedly took place at the Umid gas field.' Dr Anthony Fauci flip-flopped on the issue of mask-wearing yet again on Sunday when he said that fully-vaccinated people living in areas with low vaccination rates should 'go the extra step' and cover their face. Fauci made the comment during an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press' when anchor Chuck Todd asked if Fauci - who's fully vaccinated - would wear a mask in a city like Biloxi, Mississippi. The state of Mississippi has the lowest vaccination rate in the country with 34.3 percent of the population receiving only one dose. 'I think there would be good reason to do that,' Fauci said. 'I mean, because as we've said so often, that vaccines are not, even as good as they are and highly effective, nothing is 100 percent. 'And if you put yourself in an environment in which you have a high level of viral dynamics and a very low level of vaccine, you might want to go the extra step.' It came just two days after Fauci told a White House press briefing that masks are not necessary at all for fully vaccinated people. White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks, as First lady Jill Biden listens, at a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site at Osceola Community Health Services in Kissimmee, Florida on June 24 People in masks rest as they ride the subway in New York City on July 4 'You have a broad recommendation for the country as a whole that, if you are vaccinated, you have a high degree of protection so you need not wear a mask indoor or outdoor,' Fauci said Friday. 'But also as its been said and as the CDC has recommended, theres a degree of flexibility. People at the local level, depending on the on-ground situation, will make recommendations or not according to the local situation.' In Sunday's interview, Fauci and Todd discussed COVID-19 deaths and the stark difference between those who are vaccinated and those who aren't. Todd said: 'It's disconcerting to realize that we have nearly 10,000 people die of COVID in this most recent month that we completed in June. How preventable were each one of those deaths? And how many of them were unvaccinated?' Fauci said about 99.2 percent of COVID-19-related deaths in the last month were people who are unvaccinated. About 0.8 percent of the deaths are vaccinated. 'No vaccine is perfect,' Fauci said. 'But when you talk about the avoidability of hospitalization and death, Chuck, it's really sad and tragic that most all of these are avoidable and preventable.' Fauci's mask-wearing and vaccine comments come after a recent debate about face coverings after CDC and the World Health Organization issued conflicting guidelines about the 'Indian' delta variant. The WHO said at the end of June that fully vaccinated people should wear their masks and practice social distancing to protect themselves against the highly transmissible delta variant, but the CDC hasn't followed suit. Dr. Mariangela Simao - WHO assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products - said on June 26 that, 'Vaccines alone won't stop community transmission.' The WHO's recommendations clash with what a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official told Fox News on June 15, which is that fully vaccinated people have a 'high degree of protection;' although those who aren't vaccinated are at risk. Todd, reporter Savannah Guthrie and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky addressed this confusing mask-wearing issue in the same interview. Both Guthrie and Walensky reaffirmed CDC's guidelines that it's OK not to wear a mask. Before the start of the Fourth of July weekend, President Joe Biden admitted that more lives will be lost to the Delta variant of COVID-19. 'I am concerned that people who have not gotten vaccinated have the capacity to catch the variant and spread the variant to other people who have not been vaccinated,' he said on July 2. 'I am not concerned there's going to be a major outbreak, in other words that we're going to have another major epidemic nationwide, but I am concerned that lives will be lost.' Currently, Mississippi has the lowest vaccination rate followed by Louisiana (35.9 percent), Alabama (36.1 percent), Wyoming (37.2 percent), Idaho (37.7 percent), Tennessee (39.3 percent), Arkansas (39.6 percent), Georgia (39.9 percent), West Virginia (40.9 percent) and South Carolina (41 percent), according to Bloombergs data. A man who was shot in the leg in Sydney's eastern suburbs has been raced to hospital. The horrifying scene unfolded at about 9.15pm on Sunday at the 37-year-old's apartment on Marine Parade in Maroubra. Paramedics treated the wound and rushed him to St Vincents Hospital. The 37-year-old man was shot in the leg in his Maroubra apartment (stock image of Maroubra Beach) Police said he is in a stable condition with non life threatening injuries. A crime scene has been established and detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Eastern Beaches Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Advertisement Boris Johnson is to declare an end to most lockdown restrictions today, with social distancing rules, the work from home order, and mask mandates to be ditched from July 19 as he will argue that we must learn to live with coronavirus as we do with the flu. The Prime Minister will use a press conference this afternoon to confirm a bonfire of virus rules and restrictions from the so-called Freedom Day later this month, in which he will say that individuals will again be able to judge the risks of coronavirus for themselves. The one-metre plus decree and the work from home order will be dropped, with mask wearing no longer mandatory - while pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar in a boon for the economy. Speaking before his announcement, the Prime Minister said people would have to 'exercise judgment' to protect themselves from coronavirus, in a sign the Government will shift from legally enforced restrictions to affording people personal choice. 'Thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination programme, we are progressing cautiously through our road map,' Mr Johnson said. 'Today we will set out how we can restore people's freedoms when we reach Step 4. 'But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. As we begin to learn to live with this virus, we must all continue to carefully manage the risks from Covid and exercise judgment when going about our lives.' Officials said the Prime Minister is due to address the nation while Health Secretary Sajid Javid will take responsibility for announcing the Government's plans to Parliament. As well as publishing the taskforce reviews, an update will also be provided on what is next for care home visits, No10 said. It follows stern rebukes from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in recent weeks for ministers deciding to make statements to the press before MPs. However, the Government said it will not be known until July 12 - seven days before the target date for easing restrictions - whether its four tests for unlocking have been met, given the need to consult the latest data. Labour said the Government must declare how many Covid-related deaths it is willing to accept in the face of rising cases of the Indian strain - also know as the Delta variant - if restrictions are abolished. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'We are all desperate to move on from restrictions but with infections continuing to rise steeply thanks to the Delta variant, Boris Johnson needs to outline the measures he will introduce such as ventilation support for building and sick pay for isolation to push cases down. 'Letting cases rise with no action means further pressure on the NHS, more sickness, disruption to education and risks a new variant emerging with a selection advantage. So far 'learning to live with the virus' had been no more than a ministerial slogan. 'Now we know this is the Government's strategy, when Sajid Javid addresses the Commons he must explain what level of mortality and cases of long Covid he considers acceptable. And what support will be in place for the most deprived areas where cases are highest and vaccination rates lowest. These are important questions ministers now must answer.' The Cabinet's Covid committee will meet today to finalise the plans for the final step of the roadmap out of lockdown to give businesses and the public time to prepare. As the coronavirus crisis reaches its latest crucial phase: The UK recorded another 24,248 cases of Covid and a further 15 deaths; The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the NHS for seven decades of public service and the battle against the virus; Children have missed almost a billion days of school since the start of the pandemic, analysis by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank found; Ministers could sign off on quarantine-free holidays in amber countries for double-jabbed travellers this week but a source said calls for this to come into force from July 19 were 'ambitious'; Professor Adam Finn, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said he would wear a mask in certain situations 'indefinitely' even after the rules are relaxed; Mr Javid has reportedly blocked former Test and Trace boss Dido Harding from becoming the next chief executive of NHS England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Levi Roots as hosts a BBQ with NHS staff in the garden of No10 Downing Street to mark National Thank You Day The Prime Minister will use a press conference this afternoon to confirm a bonfire of virus rules and restrictions from the so-called Freedom Day later this month. Pictured: at the National Thank You Day BBQ The UK recorded another 24,248 cases of Covid and a further 15 deaths On Sunday, Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said that after July 19, the wearing of face masks will become a personal choice Time for the bar! From table service to working from home, those changing rules Boris Johnson is to declare an end to most lockdown restrictions from July 19 today, with social distancing rules, the work from home order, and mask mandates to be ditched as he will argue that we must learn to live with coronavirus as we do with the flu. The Prime Minister will use a press conference this afternoon to confirm a bonfire of virus rules and restrictions from the so-called Freedom Day later this month, in which he will say that individuals will again be able to judge the risks of coronavirus for themselves. PUBS AND RESTAURANTS Hospitality venues in England will no longer be required to collect track and trace data from July 19. Businesses won't have to ask customers to scan a QR code using the NHS phone app on entry or to hand over their contact details, although they will have the option of continuing to do so if they wish. Mandatory table service rules will also be scrapped, meaning drinkers will be able to order at the bar again in pubs. MASKS Wearing masks will become voluntary everywhere apart from hospitals and other health facilities from July 19 in England. Public transport passengers, shoppers and those visiting pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres will no longer be required by law to cover up. However, people may still be encouraged to wear masks in some enclosed places where they come into close contact with each other, for example on London Tube trains. HOLIDAYS Double-jabbed Britons will be allowed to enjoy a foreign break without having to isolate when they return to England. People who have had both vaccine doses will no longer have to quarantine for ten days after visiting amber list countries, such as Spain, France and Greece. It is possible the change to the travel rules will come into force on July 19, but Government sources last night cautioned that this date is seen as 'ambitious'. TEST AND TRACE People in England who have received both coronavirus vaccine doses will no longer have to isolate at home for ten days if they have come into contact with someone who tests positive. They will be offered lateral flow tests to do themselves at home instead, although these will not be compulsory. The change could come into force on July 19, although the date has not yet been finalised. SCHOOLS The bubbles system that has seen whole classes or year groups sent home if just one pupil tests positive for coronavirus will be scrapped in England. Ministers are planning to announce a new way of handling outbreaks ready for the new school year in September. Instead of sending children home en masse, those who have come into contact with a positive case are likely to be given daily tests. WORK FROM HOME The official guidance telling people to 'work from home if you can' will be scrapped on July 19 in England. But it will be left up to employers and their staff to decide whether they have to go back to their desks. Ministers will not launch a campaign encouraging staff back to the office and are resigned to there not being a mass return to workplaces this summer. Advertisement Downing Street said Mr Johnson would reiterate that Covid will become a virus that we learn to live with 'as we already do with flu'. A spokesman said: 'This means that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths from Covid will continue, albeit at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.' Step four of the roadmap had been due to happen on June 21, but was delayed by four weeks so more people could be vaccinated. Almost two thirds of adults have now received both doses. Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick yesterday said that Britain's coronavirus data was looking 'very promising'. The Communities Secretary pledged that in the next phase the 'state won't be telling you what to do', with individuals exercising their own judgment on wearing masks. The onus instead will be on ensuring that 'every adult gets fully vaccinated' to guard against rising hospital admissions and deaths, he told Sky News's Trevor Phillips on Sunday. 'We are not going to put the Covid-19 virus behind us forever, we are going to have to learn to live with it,' he said. 'But thanks to the enormous success of our vaccine programme the fact that now we have got to the point where 83 per cent of adults in this country have had at least one jab, we should be able to think about how we can return to normality as much as possible. 'The data that we are seeing that the Prime Minister is reviewing at the moment ahead of his decision point on the road map looks very positive. 'It does seem as if we can now move forward and move to a much more permissive regime where we move away from many of those restrictions that have been so difficult for us and learn to live with the virus. 'That does mean that we are going to have to treat it carefully, we are going to have to keep on monitoring the cases and we are going to have to ensure that every adult gets double-vaxxed because that is the key to keeping the virus under control as we move into the autumn and the winter.' Some scientific experts have called for the rules on wearing face masks in shops and on public transport to be retained. But Mr Jenrick said wearing face coverings will be made a matter of choice and personal responsibility. He said: 'Like many people I want to get away from these restrictions as quickly as I possibly can and we don't want them to stay in place for a day longer than is necessary. 'We are going to, I think, now move into a period where there won't be legal restrictions, the state won't be telling you what to do, but you will want to exercise a degree of personal responsibility and judgement. So different people will come to different conclusions on things like masks for example.' Asked directly if he will ditch his mask should he be permitted to do so, the Housing Secretary said: 'I will. I don't particularly want to wear a mask. I don't think a lot of people enjoy doing it. We will be moving into a phase where these will be matters of personal choice and so some members of society will want to do so for perfectly legitimate reasons. 'But it will be a different period where we as private citizens make these judgements rather than the Government telling you what to do.' Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said the link between infections, hospital admissions and deaths had been 'severely weakened'. He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that jabs were affording 'over 90 per cent protection against severe disease', which means fewer sufferers need hospital treatment. London mayor Sadiq Khan last night did not rule out still making it mandatory for passengers to wear face masks on public transport in the capital. City Hall sources said Transport for London could in theory set conditions of carriage relating to face coverings, but they suggested this would be 'very difficult'. A spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'Evidence shows that the wearing of facemasks gives many Londoners the confidence that they can travel safely on public transport. 'People feeling confident they can travel on our Tubes, buses and trains as they get busier will be a vital part of encouraging more people into central London as restrictions are lifted further, and it is something that we will continue to look at closely.' The Scottish government has said there will be an 'ongoing need' for face coverings when all restrictions are lifted north of the border on August 9. It said that while measures were 'under review' people could still be expected to wear masks on public transport and in shops. Pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar Children have missed almost a billion days of school since the start of the pandemic, analysis by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank found. (Stock image) UK ministers are also expected to relax contact tracing rules so people who have been double-vaccinated do not have to isolate for ten days and can instead take voluntary tests. But this may not come into force on July 19 and may not be announced today. It comes as a SAGE psychologist has lashed out at Sajid Javid's 'frightening' plan to scrap lockdown by July 19 despite more than half of adults in England having received both vaccines - after the new Health Secretary urged people to live with coronavirus 'as we already do with flu'. Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the subcommittee advising on behaviour, wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'It is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who still thinks Covid is flu, who is unconcerned at levels of infection, who doesn't realise that those who do best for health also do best for the economy, who wants to ditch all protections while only half of us are vaccinated. 'Above all, it is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who wants to make all protections a matter of personal choice when the key message of the pandemic is 'this isn't an 'I' thing, it's a 'we' thing. Your behaviour affects my health. Get your head around the 'we' concept''. A spokesman for the Department of Health told MailOnline: 'The Health Secretary did not say Covid was like flu. He said we need to learn to live with it and find ways to cope with it - in the same way as we do with flu.' The broadside from the University of St Andrews academic comes after Mr Javid, who replaced disgraced Matt Hancock last weekend after the former Health Secretary was caught flouting lockdown with his mistress, called the health reasons for lifting restrictions 'compelling'. Setting out his priorities in a column for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Javid writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog - something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better' Vaccination Nurse Lorraine Mooney gives a vaccination to a member of the public outside a bus in the car park of Crieff Community Hospital Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the new Health Secretary says the UK is 'on track' to escape almost every vestige of lockdown on July 19, adding: 'We will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too.' But he makes no secret of the challenges he faces as Health Secretary, admitting that he has 'the biggest in-tray I've had at any department - and I've run five'. The British Medical Association also fears ending lockdown will have a 'devastating' impact on on people's health, the NHS, the economy and education. It wants some restrictions, such as wearing face masks in enclosed spaces, to remain in place beyond July 19. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said: 'We are not asking for a full delay on July 19, rather a series of sensible, targeted measures that will help prevent transmission of the virus while having a minimal impact on people's daily lives.' However, other experts said masks have only reduced infection risk a 'little' and it is 'probably the right time' to consider ditching them. SAGE adviser Dr Mike Tildesley told BBC Breakfast: 'I think probably if we are going to remove them, July 19 when we are seeing really low numbers of hospital admissions and low number of deaths, is probably the right time to consider it.' SAGE versus Sajid: Doom-monger scientist lashes new Health Secretary's 'frightening' plans to scrap lockdown by July 19 and treat Covid 'like the flu' despite more than HALF Britons now being double-vaccinated By JACK WRIGHT FOR MAILONLINE A SAGE psychologist has lashed out at Sajid Javid's 'frightening' plan to scrap lockdown by July 19 despite more than half of adults in England having received both vaccines - after the new Health Secretary urged people to live with coronavirus 'as we already do with flu'. Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the subcommittee advising on behaviour, wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'It is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who still thinks Covid is flu, who is unconcerned at levels of infection, who doesn't realise that those who do best for health also do best for the economy, who wants to ditch all protections while only half of us are vaccinated. 'Above all, it is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who wants to make all protections a matter of personal choice when the key message of the pandemic is 'this isn't an 'I' thing, it's a 'we' thing. Your behaviour affects my health. Get your head around the 'we' concept''. A spokesman for the Department of Health told MailOnline: 'The Health Secretary did not say Covid was like flu. He said we need to learn to live with it and find ways to cope with it - in the same way as we do with flu.' The broadside from the University of St Andrews academic comes after Mr Javid, who replaced disgraced Matt Hancock last weekend after the former Health Secretary was caught flouting lockdown with his mistress, called the health reasons for lifting restrictions 'compelling'. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the new Health Secretary says the UK is 'on track' to escape almost every vestige of lockdown on July 19, adding: 'We will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too.' But he makes no secret of the challenges he faces as Health Secretary, admitting that he has 'the biggest in-tray I've had at any department - and I've run five'. In a further shift in tone in messaging after Mr Hancock sensationally quit government and ditched his wife of 15 years, Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick announced that wearing face masks will no longer be compulsory after the so-called Freedom Day later this month. The Housing Secretary said the latest coronavirus data is 'very positive' as Boris Johnson prepares for the final stage in his lockdown exit roadmap. Speaking to Sky News, he said 'the state won't be telling you what to do' after rules are eased and there will be a shift in emphasis towards 'personal choice' and judgement. The Prime Minister is preparing to announce a raft of measures to come into force from July 19 which will 'make Britain the most open country in Europe'. Under plans expected to be signed off by the Cabinet tomorrow, fully-vaccinated people will be able to travel to amber-list countries including Spain and Greece without having to self-isolate when they return. The school school 'bubbles' system that has seen hundreds of thousands of pupils being forced to self-isolate at home will be axed and replaced with daily testing, while hospitality businesses will no longer have to demand that customers provide their personal data or sign in with a 'QR' code. The British Medical Association also fears ending lockdown will have a 'devastating' impact on on people's health, the NHS, the economy and education. It wants some restrictions, such as wearing face masks in enclosed spaces, to remain in place beyond July 19. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said: 'We are not asking for a full delay on July 19, rather a series of sensible, targeted measures that will help prevent transmission of the virus while having a minimal impact on people's daily lives.' However, other experts said masks have only reduced infection risk a 'little' and it is 'probably the right time' to consider ditching them. SAGE adviser Dr Mike Tildesley told BBC Breakfast: 'I think probably if we are going to remove them, July 19 when we are seeing really low numbers of hospital admissions and low number of deaths, is probably the right time to consider it.' As the coronavirus crisis continues to rock Britain, it emerged: More than half of English residents have now had both vaccines as cases rise by 161 per cent in a fortnight; As of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 24,248 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK; Fifteen more people had died within 28 days of testing positive - a 25 per cent increase on last Sunday's total; Mr Javid has reportedly ruled out Tory peer Dido Harding as the next chief executive of NHS England; Doctors said keeping some protective measures in place was 'crucial' to stop spiralling case numbers having a 'devastating impact' on people's health, the NHS, the economy and education. SAGE psychologist Professor Stephen Reicher (left) lashed out at 'frightening' Sajid Javid's 'bonkers' plan to ditch all lockdown measures by July 19 after the new Health Secretary (right) called the health case for scrapping restrictions 'compelling' and urged people to live with coronavirus 'as we already do with flu' Professor Reicher wrote on Twitter: 'It is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who still thinks Covid is flu, who is unconcerned at levels of infection, who doesn't realise that those who do best for health also do best for the economy, who wants to ditch all protections while only half of us are vaccinated' Scanning QR codes before entering venues like pubs and restaurants 'will be scrapped from July 19' as ministers push to lift restrictions for Freedom Day Britons will no longer have to scan a QR code every time they enter a bar or a restaurant when coronavirus restrictions end on July 19, it has been reported. At the moment, people have to scan in their details or fill in a form at venues so they can be traced in case they come into contact with someone with Covid-19. But it is believed Boris Johnson will scrap the need to give over details as part of the huge lifting of restrictions set to come in in two weeks time. The Prime Minister will announce plans to drop social distancing rules and bin proposals for a domestic Covid-19 passport this week, the Sunday Times reports. As part of the easing, wearing face masks will become voluntary everywhere apart from hospitals and similar settings, and work from home guidance will also be scrapped. Mass events, including festivals, will also be allowed under the proposals for the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, the paper also said. And hospitality venues will no longer be required to collect track and trace data, and drinkers will also be able to order at the bar. Advertisement Setting out his priorities in a column for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Javid writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog - something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better. 'We are on track for July 19 and we have to be honest with people about the fact that we cannot eliminate Covid. We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly... But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view.' Mr Javid says an estimated seven million fewer people than normal approached the NHS for treatment during the pandemic. He added: 'The steps we took saved countless lives but also led to the build-up of a vast elective backlog - checks, appointments and treatments for all the less urgent, but often just as important, health issues.' Figures released in April showed the number of people waiting for hospital treatment in England exceeded 5 million for the first time since records began in 2007, prompting the Royal College of Surgeons to call for specialist hubs to carry out delayed routine operations such as knee and hip replacements. Mr Javid - who quit as Chancellor last year after clashing with No 10 aide Dominic Cummings - also acknowledges that lockdown has 'caused a shocking rise in domestic violence and a terrible impact on so many people's mental health'. Senior sources said that Mr Javid has ushered in a new approach towards handling the pandemic, following Mr Hancock's strong support for lockdown and coronavirus restrictions. 'Sajid has pushed down on the accelerator,' said one. Mr Jenrick told Sky News that the nation is 'now reaching a different phase in the virus'. 'We are not going to put the Covid-19 virus behind us forever, we are going to have to learn to live with it,' he said. 'But thanks to the enormous success of our vaccine programme the fact that now we have got to the point where 83 per cent of adults in this country have had at least one jab, we should be able to think about how we can return to normality as much as possible. 'The data that we are seeing that the Prime Minister is reviewing at the moment ahead of his decision point on the road map looks very positive. 'It does seem as if we can now move forward and move to a much more permissive regime where we move away from many of those restrictions that have been so difficult for us and learn to live with the virus. 'That does mean that we are going to have to treat it carefully, we are going to have to keep on monitoring the cases and we are going to have to ensure that every adult gets double-vaxxed because that is the key to keeping the virus under control as we move into the autumn and the winter.' Some scientific experts have called for the rules on wearing face masks in shops and on public transport to be retained. But Mr Jenrick said wearing face coverings will be made a matter of choice and personal responsibility. He said: 'Like many people I want to get away from these restrictions as quickly as I possibly can and we don't want them to stay in place for a day longer than is necessary. 'We are going to, I think, now move into a period where there won't be legal restrictions, the state won't be telling you what to do, but you will want to exercise a degree of personal responsibility and judgement. So different people will come to different conclusions on things like masks for example.' Asked directly if he will ditch his mask should he be permitted to do so, the Housing Secretary said: 'I will. I don't particularly want to wear a mask. I don't think a lot of people enjoy doing it. We will be moving into a phase where these will be matters of personal choice and so some members of society will want to do so for perfectly legitimate reasons. 'But it will be a different period where we as private citizens make these judgements rather than the Government telling you what to do.' It comes as more than half of English residents have now had both coronavirus vaccines as daily cases rise by 161 per cent in a fortnight. A total of 66,220,122 Covid-19 vaccinations had taken place between December 8 and July 3, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses. NHS England said 37,981,485 were first doses, a rise of 121,588 on the previous day, while 28,238,637 were second doses, an increase of 165,665. On Sunday, 137,389 first dose Covid vaccinations and 196,209 second doses were administered. The positive vaccination figures come amid a sharp rise in daily cases. As of 9am on Sunday, there had been a further 24,248 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the Government said. The figure is the highest in 24 hours reported since late January. It is a rise of 63 percent on last Sunday and 161 per cent compared to a fortnight ago. The Government said 15 more people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Sunday. While the number of daily deaths remains low, the figure is a 25 per cent increase on last Sunday's total. Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have been 153,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. Setting out his priorities in a column for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Javid writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog - something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better' On Sunday, Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick said that after July 19, the wearing of face masks will become a personal choice More than half of English residents have now had both coronavirus vaccines as daily cases rise by 161 per cent in a fortnight. Pictured: A man receives a vaccine in Doncaster on June 27 It follows reports that Mr Javid has ruled out Tory peer Dido Harding, the former head of NHS Test and Trace, as the next chief executive of NHS England. A senior Government source told The Times last night that while she deserved 'credit' for building the Covid-19 testing programme, 'people don't think she is the right person to lead the NHS as we enter a new phase'. The decision to reject her candidacy is one of Mr Javid's first major decisions since he took over as Health Secretary. The news comes after well-placed sources said that Amanda Pritchard, the chief operating officer of the NHS, is in prime position to take over from Sir Simon Stevens. One insider described her as 'very highly rated' and said a 'two-horse race' between her and Baroness Harding has now just left her in the running. The former chief executive of TalkTalk had vowed to use her private sector experience, along with her existing links with ministers, if she were to get the NHS role. There were also fears that her stewardship of the 37billion Test and Trace system would create future political problems for the Government. It was branded the 'most wasteful and inept public spending programme of all time' by the former head of the Treasury. The decision over who will be appointed is expected shortly as Sir Simon has ruled out staying in the job beyond the end of July after his seven-year tenure. Ms Pritchard, previously chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, is said to have impressed Ministers as efficient and highly capable. She has a much lower profile than either Lady Harding or Sir Simon, although it is understood this is seen as a positive attribute. A source said: 'She is almost the anti-Simon Stevens. She is the person who delivers quietly rather than making a big song and dance about it.' Sajid Javid has ruled out Tory peer Dido Harding as the next chief executive of NHS England, according to reports. The news comes after well-placed sources said that Amanda Pritchard, the chief operating officer of the NHS, is in prime position to take over from Sir Simon Stevens Vaccination Nurse Lorraine Mooney gives a vaccination to a member of the public outside a bus in the car park of Crieff Community Hospital Ministers have final sign-off over the appointment. In a letter to colleagues announcing his resignation, Sir Simon described being in charge of the NHS through 'some of the toughest challenges in its history' as a privilege. Sir Simon - who has been in charge for seven years - has served through three elections and the Covid pandemic. According to the NHS England annual report for 2019/20, the chief executive's salary was between 195,000 and 200,000. The report stated that Sir Simon had, during that year, voluntarily taken a 20,000 annual pay cut for the sixth year in a row. The decision is expected shortly as Sir Simon Stevens, pictured, has ruled out staying in the job beyond the end of July after his seven-year tenure Lady Harding was heavily criticised during her stint in charge of the country's contact tracing programme. A report earlier this year said T&T had 'minimal impact on transmission' despite receiving 37billion of funding. The Commons Public Accounts Committee said in March there was no evidence the tracing scheme had made a dent in Covid transmission, despite its 'unimaginable' budget. Last year No10 spent 22billion on Test and Trace and the Chancellor promised to throw another 15billion at it in 2021, bringing the total cost to 37billion. The PAC report said the Government was treating British taxpayers 'like an ATM machine'. Sir Nicholas Macpherson, a member of the House of Lords and former permanent secretary at the Treasury, also waded into the row. He posted a cutting tweet that added: 'The extraordinary thing is that nobody in the government seems surprised or shocked. No matter: the BoE will just print more money.' Lady Harding's leadership of Test and Trace last year prompted senior backbencher Sir Bernard Jenkin, chairman of the Liaison Committee, to join Labour in suggesting she be replaced. At one point in October last year, ahead of the second lockdown which came in in November, the system hit a record low with just 59.6 per cent of the contacts of people who tested positive for the disease being successfully contacted and told to self-isolate. Sir Bernard, who chairs the Liaison Committee of senior MPs which questions the Prime Minister twice a year, said the peer should be given a 'well-earned break' so she and others could 'reflect on the lessons learned so far'. Last September she was ridiculed when she claimed nobody was 'expecting' to see the 'really sizeable increase in demand' for Covid checks ahead of the start of the school year. Lady Harding's comments, which come despite the return of schools and more people heading back to work, sparked outrage as she told MPs 'none of the modelling' had suggested there would be such a steep uptick in requests. She blamed the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) for seemingly getting its predictions wrong as she said testing capacity had been built based on the panel's recommendations. There were also numerous reports of staff at deserted walk-in testing centres turning people away if they didn't have an appointment or weren't showing obvious coronavirus symptoms. Baroness Harding was appointed CEO of TalkTalk in 2010, serving in the role for seven years, during which the company was the victim of a cyber attack that saw the personal and banking details of 157,000 customers accessed by hackers. She was subjected to repeated blackmail attempts after the hack, with demands for Bitcoins in exchange for stolen data, which included customers' names, email addresses, mobile numbers, home addresses and dates of birth. In the aftermath, TalkTalk was fined a record 400,000 for security failings which allowed the data to be accessed 'with ease' in one of the biggest data breaches in history. TalkTalk is thought to have lost 60million from the fallout with an estimated 100,000 angry customers leaving, mainly to BT, while 2015 profits halved to 14million and shares lost nearly two-thirds of their value. Baroness Harding faced repeated calls to step down over the breach, but stayed on until 2017, when she resigned to focus on her 'public service activities'. Later that year, she was appointed chair of NHS Improvement, responsible for overseeing all NHS hospitals. I've had my two jabs... can I still catch Covid? And how worried should we REALLY be about the spiralling rate of infections? Britain's leading experts answer the questions that everyone's fretting about By ETHAN ENNALS FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY On Friday 27,000 Britons tested positive for Covid-19. In the past week there have been more than 150,000 new cases. The growth of the Delta variant of the virus is now exponential, doubling in numbers roughly every ten days. If it feels like we've been here before, it's because we have: the picture was the same in December, shortly before the country went into lockdown again. So should we be worried? The verdict from even some of the more cautious in the scientific community, is a resounding no. Last year around one in ten people who became infected with the virus ended up in hospital, but the protection provided by vaccines now means it is fewer than two in every 100. According to a Public Health England report published last week, the jabs have already prevented 27,200 deaths in the UK. And with two doses providing more than 90 per cent protection against the Delta variant, many more lives will be saved in the months to come. Protection: Liz Hurley shows off her double-jab badge. She said: 'Thank you all NHS frontline workers for risking so much to keep us safe' Liz Hurley tweeted that she received both jabs on May 21, writing: 'All my family in my age group and older are now double vaccinated' As Boris Johnson triumphantly announced on Thursday, the UK's vaccine rollout has 'broken that link between infection and mortality and that is an amazing thing'. This means, despite the growing number of cases, the Government is confident it will be able to remove all restrictions on July 19. Speaking in Parliament on Monday for the first time in his new role as Health Secretary, Sajid Javid said things were 'heading in the right direction' and 'restrictions on our freedoms must come to an end'. He added: 'No date we choose comes with zero risk for Covid. We know we cannot simply eliminate it we have to learn to live with it.' But what living with it will look like is still unclear. How closely should we be watching the rise in cases, and will hospitals soon be once again filled with thousands of Covid patients? And what about the winter? We spoke to leading scientists to try to answer these and other burning questions. Q: Has vaccination broken the link between infections and hospitalisations? A: It is beyond doubt that vaccines have had a substantial impact. Covid infections now are at the same level as in mid-December, when hospitals were being flooded with patients suffering severe symptoms and dying as a result. On December 14 there were 30,000 new cases, just under 2,000 patients were admitted to hospital with Covid on that day and 479 died. Last week daily cases topped 27,000, but the number of hospitalisations and deaths are a far cry from those seen in December. On Thursday 331 patients entered hospital in England with severe Covid symptoms while 22 people died. 'The link between infections and hospitalisations has been significantly weakened,' says Professor Lawrence Young, virus expert at the University of Warwick. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pictured receiving his first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at St Thomas' Hospital on March 19 this year in London 'Without vaccines we'd be seeing hospitalisations and deaths akin to what we saw in the winter. Instead the numbers are very low.' However, others point out that the link is not 'completely severed' hospitalisations and deaths are rising, albeit slowly. The number of Covid patients being admitted to hospital every day in the UK has nearly doubled since the beginning of June from a seven-day average of 124. Deaths have more than doubled over the same time period too. Some experts believe these numbers could begin to increase at a faster rate. James Ward, a data analyst who specialises in Covid projections, points out infections are beginning to reach older age groups and that this could affect hospital levels. He says: 'Currently only two per cent of people who catch Covid end up in hospital. Considering that rate was ten per cent in February, that's really incredible. 'But up until now, the majority of cases have been in younger age groups who weren't at risk of getting seriously ill in the first place. Now, with more elderly people getting infected, I think we should expect hospitalisations to climb at a faster rate.' Q: So how bad could things get? A: Scientists are in disagreement over this. Projections presented to the Government by scientists at the University of Warwick in early June suggested that by the beginning of July there could be nearly 1,000 Covid hospital admissions a day. Thankfully, current figures are little over a quarter of that, but experts are unanimous that the figures won't stay where they are. Prof Young says at the rate we're going, by July 19 the UK could be recording more than 40,000 new cases a day. 'It's hard to imagine going back to normality with infection rates that high,' he adds. This is because, even with the strong defences provided by the vaccines, a rise of this magnitude would translate into an increase in people being admitted to hospital. Scientists believe between five and ten per cent of fully vaccinated people those who have had two doses could still end up in hospital with the virus. This is because many people have weakened immune systems, whether due to old age or illness, which means that even with the vaccine their bodies cannot mount a strong defence. Members of the public queue to receive a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine outside a temporary vaccination centre set up in the Emirates Stadium in north London on June 25 Heightened case numbers would increase the likelihood of those with compromised immune systems becoming infected and ending up in hospital. James Ward believes that, following the easing of all restrictions on July 19, hospital Covid admissions could peak somewhere between 5,000 and 15,000 a week. He says: 'At its worst this is still only 50 per cent of the admissions seen in February, when we were seeing 30,000 every week, but it would be enough to put pressure on the NHS.' Doctors speaking to this newspaper say they are already concerned about how they would continue to treat non-Covid patients if hospital admissions began to climb. One director at a large London hospital trust says they are drawing up plans to use staff from cancer care in the intensive care unit, adding: 'We could lose anywhere between ten and 40 per cent of our cancer staff if we have to start treating a sustained level of Covid patients again. That would massively impact our ability to provide cancer care. I'm nervous about what is going to happen over the next few weeks. We're praying for the best but planning for the worst.' However, other NHS managers are not as concerned. One director of care at an NHS Trust in the Midlands says: 'Right now we're not expecting too much disruption. We currently have only three Covid patients in hospital. 'When the case numbers were this high in the winter, we had many more patients in. The vaccines are clearly doing the job and keeping hospitalisations low. 'Obviously things can change very quickly and the picture may look different in two weeks, but right now I'm comfortable with the plan to reopen on July 19.' Q: I have been double jabbed. Could I still be at risk? A: While Covid numbers are on the rise, far fewer people in older, more vulnerable age groups are catching the virus now. Prior to the arrival of the vaccines in December, there were roughly as many Covid cases in the over-60s as there were in the under-20s. Now there are ten times as many cases in the under-20s. On average, fewer than 500 cases a day are in the over-60s. If the vaccines are stopping much of this group from catching Covid, then it reduces the already slim possibility that someone fully vaccinated could end up in hospital with the virus. However, the risk is not zero for every 100 people who have been vaccinated, between five and ten will still catch Covid and become unwell, according to studies. If those people are already vulnerable, due to pre-existing illnesses or weakened immune systems, they're more likely to be hospitalised. Mr Johnson receives his second dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from health worker James Black at the Francis Crick Institute in central London on June 3 This is certainly the picture reported by medics working on Covid wards right now. One insider said: 'Half of our Covid patients are unvaccinated people under 30, and half are vaccinated vulnerable. 'The vulnerable people tend to have several comorbidities [more than one serious illness]. 'One recent patient was a 78-year-old man from a care home with a history of strokes. He doesn't currently need a ventilator but is on oxygen and could stay in hospital for quite some time. We're seeing very few previously healthy 80-year-olds coming in, so age is less of a factor than it used to be. 'We're also seeing frail patients who are close to death and, to be blunt, for whom Covid was what happened to kill them. It could have just as easily been pneumonia. 'Worryingly, though, we are also seeing several younger patients with serious symptoms. Last week on our ward an unvaccinated man in his 30s died of Covid. But younger patients typically come in for oxygen and leave within a day or two.' With case numbers at such high levels, experts say those worried about their health should consider taking precautions even after restrictions are removed. Prof Lawrence Young says: 'People may want to keep wearing a face mask or avoid large gatherings if they are nervous about catching the virus, at least until the infection rate falls.' Q: What is the verdict on the safety of large gatherings? A: There is still a level of risk attached to crowded spaces. Last week the Government published its long-awaited Events Research Programme report, which assessed the infection risk of large events. The report studied data from nine large-scale events, including the FA Cup Final, the Brit Awards and two nightclubs in Liverpool. At first glance, the findings appeared to be good news. Of the 58,000 people who attended the events, there were only 28 reported cases of Covid-19 afterwards and there were 'no major outbreaks', meaning the cases were mainly unconnected. However, the report was unable to make any recommendations to the Government on the feasibility of reopening large events safely, due to the low infection rates at the time of the events. Scientists involved in the study also admitted only a third of participants returned a Covid test after an event, making it harder for them to track possible infections. People wait in a queue outside Wimbledon before the start of play at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on June 28 Last week Public Health Scotland said that nearly 2,000 Covid cases in Scotland were linked to people watching Euro 2020 football matches in large groups. Two thirds of these were people who travelled to London for Scotland's game against England on June 18. This also included 387 fans who were in Wembley Stadium for the match. While public health officials said it was impossible to know whether people contracted the virus while watching the match, scientists argue it is clear evidence that mass events have a heightened risk of exposure. Prof Young says: 'The Events Research Programme was a flawed project which didn't teach us anything we didn't know before. 'The biggest risk of transmission remains to be at what we call pinch points. These are spaces where close contact in a confined space is unavoidable, like trains or small crowded pubs.' Q: Is it true that Covid is becoming milder? A: Symptoms certainly appear to be changing. When the pandemic began, Government scientists told the public that the three main signs of Covid were a temperature, persistent cough and change in taste and smell. Now, according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics, the most commonly reported symptoms are a cough, headache and fatigue. Scientists claim the change has occurred not because the disease has become milder but because it is infecting healthier people. Alex Crozier, a Covid-19 research scientist, says: 'Covid is now spreading predominantly through the younger age groups, who have strong immune systems. This means the virus is unlikely to affect them severely. So their bodies are reacting to it differently and we're seeing fewer severe symptoms now.' Crozier says it is important to highlight these new symptoms in an effort to control the rapid spread of the virus. He adds: 'It's possible many people believe they have a cold or hay fever but are walking around with Covid, potentially putting others at risk of infection.' Q: While children aren't being vaccinated, are we fighting a losing battle? A: Many scientists believe children hold the key to putting an end to the Covid pandemic. Cases will continue to rise and fall until enough Britons have immunity against the virus, leaving it with nowhere to go. This is what is called herd immunity. Immunity can be gained either through vaccination or infection, but how many people need to attain immunity for the herd threshold to be reached is still up for debate. Initial estimates were that roughly 70 per cent of Britons needed to be immune, but the arrival of the Delta variant has changed things, given that it is far more infectious than previous variants. This means more people need immunity to stop it spreading. Scientists now believe that 85 per cent of the population needs immunity and therein, some say, lies the problem. Professor Martin Hibberd, an infectious disease expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, says: 'You can vaccinate the entire adult population and you still would not reach 85 per cent coverage. To get there you need to vaccinate at least some of the under-18s.' Immunity can be gained either through vaccination or infection, but how many people need to attain immunity for the herd threshold to be reached is still up for debate (pictured: a vial of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a vaccination centre in Westfield Stratford City shopping centre) While the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in over-12s in the UK, the Government's vaccine advisory group, the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has repeatedly delayed publishing its guidance on vaccinating under-18s, citing a need for more safety data from the United States, which began vaccinating children aged 12 and older in May. Prof Lawrence Young says: 'I can't understand why we aren't getting on and vaccinating youngsters. It's necessary if we want to reach herd immunity but it would also protect their education. It would end this constant disruption of schools, as vaccinated children wouldn't need to isolate.' However, not all scientists are in agreement. On Thursday, Professor Robert Dingwall, who sits on the JCVI, said: 'Given the low risk of Covid for most teenagers, it is not immoral to think they may be better protected by natural immunity generated through infection than by asking them to take the possible risk of a vaccine.' Q: What about long Covid aren't young people as much at risk from that? A: Scientists believe roughly one in ten people who catch Covid will suffer from prolonged symptoms, known as long Covid. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than one million Britons are currently experiencing long Covid. Of those, two-thirds say their symptoms which include shortness of breath, muscle ache and brain fog are impacting their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Early studies suggest that vaccines cut the risk of long Covid by as much as 50 per cent. With infection levels highest in under-30s, experts say the Government needs to take long Covid into consideration when thinking about removing restrictions. Dr David Strain, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, says: 'If one in ten people under the age of 30 are off work because they are unwell for months, that will have a massive impact on business.' Q: Could there be another lockdown? A: Experts say while some restrictions could return in winter, a full lockdown is highly unlikely. Indeed some scientists believe removing all restrictions on July 19 will reduce the risk of a winter wave. Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, says: 'More infections now means fewer in the autumn and winter because people will have immunity following infection. 'With the majority of our vulnerable population fully vaccinated, now is arguably the safest time to ride out a wave.' The worry is, with a particularly bad winter for non-Covid viruses forecast, even a small rise in Covid hospitalisations could place the NHS under pressure. A pedestrian wearing a face mask walks past closed-down shops on an empty Regent Street in London during the first nationwide lockdown on April 2 last year It is believed that the effectiveness of the vaccines will wane over time, meaning those vaccinated first, who are also the most at risk due to age and health, could be more vulnerable to the virus by autumn. For that reason, last week the Government announced plans for Covid booster jabs beginning in September for over-50s. On top of this, scientists believe the Government may need to bring back some restrictions to keep case numbers in check. Prof Young says: 'I think it's almost inevitable that we'll see some rules reintroduced in winter. Because of the weather, people will mix indoors more, making transmission more likely. I can't imagine a full lockdown, but there may be a good argument for the return of social distancing and the rule of six.' Prof Hunter adds: 'Historically vaccination campaigns have good take-up initially, but this almost always drops the following year. 'If fewer people come forward [for booster jabs] then we may see more hospitalisations and therefore may need more restrictions.' However, he adds: 'We may also find ourselves in a situation where it is in our best interests to just tough it out without any restrictions. Unfortunately this virus isn't going anywhere. Eventually we need to strike a balance where we can learn to live with it.' The Trump Organization allegedly paid Ivanka Trump using a similar strategy to the one that saw Allen Weisselberg charged with tax crimes by a New York grand jury, it has been reported. Weisselberg, the CFO of The Trump Organization, was indicted for - among other things - a pay scheme in which he was allegedly compensated both as an employee and as a nonemployee contractor to apparently dodge taxes, HuffPost noted. The outlet noted that The New York Times had reported last year that fraud investigations into then-President Donald Trump and his company had 'expanded to include tax write-offs on millions of dollars in consulting fees, some of which appear to have gone to Ivanka Trump.' Last year, the Associated Press reported that New York Attorney General Letitia James had sent a subpoena for records related to consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump while she was also a senior executive at her father's business. The Trump Organization allegedly paid Ivanka Trump using a similar strategy to the one that saw Allen Weisselberg charged by a New York grand jury Weisselberg, the CFO of The Trump Organization, was indicted for - among other things - a pay scheme in which he was allegedly compensated both as an employee and as a nonemployee contractor to apparently dodge taxes Ivanka filed a disclosure form in 2017 when she became a presidential adviser reporting payments she received from a consulting company she co-owned Those payments, totaling $747,622, 'exactly matched consulting fees claimed as tax deductions by the Trump Organization' for hotels in Hawaii and Vancouver The New York Times had noted in December that here was no indication Ivanka Trump was a target of the investigation. Neither Ivanka Trump or any of Trump's other children were named in the indictment. In its article, The New York Times noted that Donald Trump had 'reduced his taxable income by deducting about $26 million in fees to unidentified consultants as a business expense on numerous projects between 2010 and 2018.' One of those consultants included Ivanka Trump, The New York Times reported. 'On a 2017 disclosure she filed when joining the White House as a presidential adviser, she reported receiving payments from a consulting company she co-owned, totaling $747,622, that exactly matched consulting fees claimed as tax deductions by the Trump Organization for hotel projects in Hawaii and Vancouver, British Columbia,' the outlet reported. The New York Times, citing an anonymous source, reported that the subpoenas 'were focused on fees paid to the firm on her disclosures, TTT Consulting L.L.C., and represented just a portion of the $26 million' in fees Trump had deducted. However Rebecca Roiphe, a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, also noted the similarities in the indictment and news reporting about payments to Trump's children. Roiphe alleged to MSNBC that charges may still come for Ivanka Trump and other Trump children. 'I don't think it necessarily means they're in the clear,' Roiphe said. 'There are certainly some allegations in the indictment that look very much like the public reporting on the consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump.' She added: 'But we can see at least they were included in similar allegations and were included in this charging document. It may be those are going to come or might not be. It's hard to tell.' 'I think standing alone, that wouldn't be enough to bring an indictment against Ivanka Trump. But if there are other criminal activities she's been involved with, I don't see why the DAs office wouldn't charge her for that.' Last year, New York Attorney General Letitia James had sent a subpoena for records related to consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump while she was also a senior executive at her father's business. James is pictured with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Weisselberg, pictured, has pleaded not guilty to his charges Donald Trump's son Eric Trump, center, dismissed fears he could be indicted and insisted he and his siblings have led a 'clean life' Donald Trump's son Eric Trump dismissed fears he could be indicted and insisted he has led a 'clean life' after the Trump Organization was charged in a 15-count indictment. The son of the former president, 37, was asked if he was concerned if an indictment was coming his way after prosecutors brought tax fraud charges against the Trump Organization and chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg. Speaking to Newsmax's Eric Bolling on Thursday, Eric dismissed these fears and insisted that he and his siblings Donald Jr, 43, and Ivanka, 39, have always led 'amazingly clean' lives. Eric, who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said: 'You know what? I'm not, Eric, because guess what, we've always lived amazingly clean lives. 'And believe me, if they could've, they already would've, right? I mean, that's what they wanted, that was their end goal.' Weisselberg has pleaded not guilty to his charges. Two residents at an aged care facility in Sydney have tested positive to Covid-19 after an unvaccinated nurse worked while infectious. The cases were recorded at SummitCare home in Baulkham Hills, in the city's north-west, on Monday morning - bringing the total number of infections at the facility to five. Two men in their 80s and 90s tested positive on Sunday after staff brought it in to the facility, along with a woman in her 80s. Health authorities are waiting to see if others are infected, even though 96 per cent of its vulnerable residents are fully vaccinated. Pictured: A worker entering Summitcare aged care facility in Baulkham Hills on July 4 The cases were recorded at SummitCare home in Baulkham Hills (pictured), in the city's north-west All have had two doses of the vaccine and are said to be in good spirits, with no symptoms. They will be transferred to Westmead Hospital as a precaution. But SummitCare's chief operating officer Michelle Sloane admitted only a third of the facility's workforce have had a shot. The daughter of one infected resident is furious about how few staff have been vaccinated. 'We assumed they were. I think it's a disgrace,' Kathie Melocco told the ABC. 'If I had known, that would've meant I would've made other decisions around my parents. I'm just so angry.' Pictured: A resident of Summitcare Aged Care Facility in Baulkham Hills being loaded into an ambulance after testing positive to Covid-19 on July 4 Two of the nursing home's workers tested positive for Covid-19 during the week. One of them was not vaccinated and SummitCare was unclear about the vaccination status of the other. At least 140 of the home's 200 staff members are now in 14 days of self-isolation as the number of infections in New South Wales slowly declines. The facility is now being deep cleaned, and staff are being swabbed regularly. SummitCare released a statement on Sunday confirming the infections. 'The fact that the affected residents are showing no symptoms at this stage shows their early vaccinations have worked,' it said. Pictured: A woman leaving SummitCare aged care facility in Baulkham Hills on July 4 'We continue to work closely with the department and taking all of the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff. 'We thank them and their families for their ongoing co-operation and support.' Meanwhile, NSW Health has issued another ten Covid alerts for venues across Sydney including a Coles in Maroubra and a Woolworths in Hillsdale - both in Sydney's east. Alerts have also been issued for numerous bus routes around Strathfield in Sydney's west and train routes from Penrith, the north shore line, the Bankstown line and the inner west line. There were 16 local Covid-19 cases recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday. Three of those cases were out in the community during some or all of their infectious period. There have now been 277 local Covid-19 cases reported since June 16. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the dip in case numbers was a good sign, and urged residents to respect stay-at-home orders if they want any hope of emerging from lockdown on Friday. Over the past few years, President Joe Biden has made the news for things he's said and done - but not related to policy. Rather the 78-year-old has had a knack for gaffes. During speeches or while answering questions, Biden is known to make mistakes, have mix-ups or even digress. The commander-in-chief has even been caught tripping a time or two, raising speculation about his physical health. DailyMail.com has compiled many of Biden's notable mis-speaks. foot-in-mouth moments and slips. REPEATEDLY MIXING UP LIBYA AND SYRIA 'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in for example, in in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, in the Middle East. Biden is pictured in Cornwall, United Kingdom on June 13 The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that it was indeed, Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war, which the president was referring to WATCH: Joe Biden confuses Syria with Libya THREE TIMES. pic.twitter.com/8iewTindfr RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 13, 2021 Biden repeatedly confused Syria with Libya while discussing ways of working with Russia during a press conference at the G7 on June 13. The 78-year-old gaffe machine spoke of working with Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide economic assistance to the people of Libya, prompting some confused glances from the press pack at the G7 summit in Cornwall, England. 'I'm hopeful that we can find an accommodation where we can save the lives of people in for example, in in Libya,' the president said, mentioning the north African country for the third time instead of Syria, which is in the Middle East. The White House later brushed the confusion off, confirming that the president was indeed referring to Syria, the country where Russia and the US have been involved in a decade-long civil war. TRIPPING WHILE BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE Over the years, President Joe Biden has made numerous gaffes and mix-ups and has even been caught falling. Pictured: Biden falling while walking up the stairs of Air Force One on March 19 On March 19, he was caught tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews On March 19, video captured Biden tripping up the stairs as he boarded Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews. In the clip, Biden stumbles as he walks up the airstairs. He grabs the hand railing to catch his balance, but then loses his footing two additional times. During the third stumble, he falls to his knees. However, after brushing off his leg, he reaches the top of the plane and gives a salute before disappearing inside. White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later told reporters that Biden was '100 percent fine' and preparing for his trip in Atlanta. 'It's pretty windy outside. It's very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself,' she said. CALLING KAMALA 'PRESIDENT HARRIS' Just one day earlier, during a press conference on March 18 (pictured), he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris' Just one day earlier, Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris.' The gaffe occurred during a press conference on March 18, during which he lauded his administration for being close to meeting their goal of 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office. 'Now when President Harris and I took a virtual tour of a vaccination center in Arizona not long ago, one of the nurses on that, on that tour injecting people, giving vaccinations, said that each shot was like administering a dose of hope,' Biden said. Harris was standing behind Biden as the president carried on with his speech, but did not correct himself. Later that day, when the White House released the transcript of his speech, Harris's proper title was inserted with brackets. FORGOT NAME OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE On March 9, while making a speech, Biden seemed to forget the name of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (above) In a speech on March 9, Biden seemed to fumble with his words and forget the name of his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 'I want to thank Sec - the former general - I keep calling him "General,"' Biden said. 'My - the guy who runs that outfit over there. I want to make sure we thank the Secretary for all he's done to try to implement what we've just talked about, and for recommending these two women for promotion.' The slip-occurred despite the fact that just a few minutes earlier, he had mentioned Austin's name in the speech without an issue. INTRODUCES GRANDDAUGHTER AS HIS SON On Election Day, in November, Biden introduced a crowd to his granddaughter, but referred to her as his son During an Election Day speech in Philadelphia, Biden stumbled over his words and confused his granddaughter with his late son, Beau Biden. Biden told the crowd: 'I want to introduce you to two of my granddaughters...this is my son, Beau Biden who a lot of you helped elect to the Senate in Delaware.' The commander-in-chief had meant to introduce the crowed to Natalie, Beau's daughter, but hadn't just mixed up the name but the person - he also put his arm around Finnegan Biden, Hunter's daughter. He finally corrected himself as he draped his arm around Natalie's shoulder and said: 'This is Natalie, this is Beau's daughter.' Beau Biden passed away in 2015 after a months-long battle with glioblastoma, one of the deadliest types of brain cancer. TOLD STATE SENATOR IN WHEELCHAIR TO STAND UP In 2008, Biden told then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham to stand up for the crowd at a rally, before realizing he was in a wheelchair Not all of Biden's gaffes occurred in the 2020s or even the 2010s. In fact, some happened in the early aughts. In September 2008, after Biden had been named former President Barack Obama's running mate, he attended a campaign rally in Missouri. It was there that he called on then-Missouri state senator Chuck Graham, who passed away last year. to stand up for the crowd. 'I'm told Chuck Graham, state senator, is here. Stand up Chuck, let 'em see you,' Biden said. It was at that moment he realized Graham was in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy. 'Oh, God love you. What am I talking about. I'll tell you what, you're making everybody else stand up, though, pal.' According to the Columbia Tribune, Graham said he was never offended by the mistake. Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Lionel Messi a contract as they look to bring the 34-year-old to the French top-flight. The Argentine superstar, 34, attempted to leave the Nou Camp last summer in extraordinary circumstances but decided against the move due to the exit clause in his contract. However, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner became a free agent last month after his contract at the club expired. As a result, PSG are looking to capitalise. Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Lionel Messi (above) a contract at the club The six-time Ballon d'Or winner became a free agent after his contract expired last month It had been reported earlier this week that Messi had agreed terms on a new contract with Barcelona. The deal would keep the Argentina star at the club for another two years - June 2023. However, according to AS, Paris Saint-Germain have thrown a spanner in the works and offered Messi a contract. The French club are hoping the lucrative deal will lure the 34-year-old to Ligue 1 next season. Paris Saint-Germain are hoping to lure the Argentine superstar to Ligue 1 next term Messi's future has been hanging in the balance ever since he told the club by fax of his desire to leave last summer. Barcelona will reportedly have to free up 170m in wages if Messi does put pen to paper on a new deal with the club. However, Barcelona find themselves cash-strapped as they try to cope with the financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, club president Joan Laporta says Messi has agreed a new deal with Barcelona Nevertheless, they have already brought in some new faces during the summer transfer window. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, Lyon forward Memphis Depay and City defender Eric Garcia will be arriving on free transfers and Barca also triggered Real Betis star Emerson Royal's 7.8million release clause. Regardless of the offers presented to Messi, the 34-year-old has said he will stay focused on the Copa America first. Italian FA chiefs have lamented their allocation of barely 100 tickets for Tuesday's Euro 2020 semi-final against Spain. Gabriele Gravina, the FA president, claimed his organisation had been given only 125 tickets for the last-four tie, and 1,000 if they reach the final, with both games at Wembley. Gravina said: 'The most delicate of our problems will be to take our fans there - we have an allocation of about 125 for the semi-final and 1,000 if we eventually reach the final. Gabriele Gravina, the president of the Italian FA, has criticised his country's allocation of 125 tickets for the semi-final against Spain, which takes place on Tuesday night at Wembley Gravina is also disappointed Italy will only receive 1,000 tickets if they get through to the final 'You understand that these are strong limitations if we want to give a sense of belonging to this game. 'I understand that unfortunately there is a pandemic and we have to live with the British Government's restrictions. 'We will try to improve things where possible, but living with these restrictions and conditions damages the best part of our sport.' Injured Leonardo Spinazzola received a phone call from new Roma manager Jose Mourinho England fans living in the UK were unable to watch their team beat Ukraine 4-0 in Rome on Saturday due to coronavirus regulations in Italy, which involve a compulsory five-day quarantine period for anyone travelling to Italy from these shores. Meanwhile, injured Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola received a phone call from his new club manager Jose Mourinho after damaging his Achilles tendon in the 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-final. Spinazzola faces nearly a year out of action, which in the short term is a huge blow for Italy as the Roma left back has been their player of the tournament. New Roma boss Mourinho said: 'We all feel sorry to have lost him.' Denmark talisman Christian Eriksen reportedly told his team-mates he was 'proud' of them after they beat Czech Republic to seal their spot in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during his nation's first group stage clash against Finland last month, having suffered a cardiac arrest, and needed emergency treatment to save his life. He has since watched Denmark's other fixtures from hospital and back at home, and Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim that he sent a touching message to the squad on WhatsApp after their latest heroics. Christian Eriksen told his Denmark team-mates he was 'proud of them' after their latest victory Talisman Eriksen, pictured while in hospital in a selfie taken from his bed last month, reportedly sent the touching message after Denmark's 2-1 win against Czech Republic Goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg saw them progress to the final four of the tournament and continue their fairy-tale story, and they will next take on England for a place in the final at Wembley. Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen is believed to have said 'I am proud of you' following the full-time whistle on Saturday, in his latest show of support after having a heart-starter device fitted. The harrowing incident involving Eriksen understandably left his team-mates rocked, and Denmark lost their first two matches, against Finland and Belgium respectively. Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark's first game of Euro 2020 against Finland in June However, they rallied to beat Russia 4-1 and make it out of Group B, and followed up the milestone with a pulsating 4-0 victory against Wales in the last-16. Defender Simon Kjaer, the man widely praised for his likely life-saving intervention after Eriksen's sudden collapse, has admitted the moment helped bring the players closer together, culminating in their superb run of form. 'It did something to the group. We thrive and we're safe together,' captain Kjaer said, via Goal. 'We know we can trust the people around us. 'We know that if one of us is in trouble, then someone else is there for you. It gives us security and of course it makes Christian feel good. Denmark will next face England at the tournament after marching through to the semi-finals Boss Kasper Hjulmand admitted the occasion was 'magical', having guided his team superbly 'We can press because we know that the player next to us is there to back us up.' Boss Kasper Hjulmand, meanwhile, described their qualification for the latter stages of the showpiece as 'magical'. 'The first thing I showed the boys when we met was a picture of Wembley, when we were there in the autumn,' Hjulmand told UEFA.com. 'I said that we were going to come back. 'It was like we were playing in a Danish stadium because our dedicated fans came to support us in Baku. Were deeply thankful.' She revealed that she was expecting her second child in shocking fashion at the BET Awards. And Cardi B looked radiant as ever as she displayed her growing baby bump in a video she shared on Twitter on Saturday. The rapper, 28, lip-synched to Victoria Monet's Freak in an off-white nightie while filming herself in the bathroom. Glowing: Cardi B looked radiant as ever as she displayed her growing baby bump in a video she shared on Twitter on Saturday The hitmaker showcased her natural beauty in the clip as she went makeup free. Her hair styled into a bun, Cardi captioned the video: 'What song you been listening to? This one'. Cardi struck a series of playful poses in the clip as she highlighted her incredible curves. It comes just days after the Bodak Yellow hitmaker shared some stunning pregnancy photos, including a steamy photo of herself topless with her husband Offset, 29. Pose: The rapper, 28, lip-synched to Victoria Monet's Freak in an off-white nightie while filming herself in the bathroom Cardi first revealed her pregnancy to viewers of Sunday night's BET Awards when she made a surprise appearance for a guest verse during Migos' performance of their hit song Type S***. She emerged from a cloud of smoke in a stunning jeweled bodysuit, which featured a sheer panel over her midriff that revealed her pregnant tummy. Shortly afterward, she shared a nude photo of herself with her torso covered in a plaster cast to confirm the pregnancy. '#2!' she captioned it with a heart while tagging Offset (real name: Kiari Cephus) Candid: Her hair styled into a bun, Cardi captioned the video: 'What song you been listening to? This one' Cardi (given name: Belcalis Almanzar) and the Migos member began their relationship in early 2017, and they were engaged by October of that year. In July 2018, it was reported that the couple had actually gotten married a month prior to their public proposal, which Cardi later confirmed. She announced her first pregnancy in April 2018 while performing as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, and the happy parents welcomed baby Kulture in July of that year. The couple have had a rocky relationship, as Cardi separated from Offset in December 2018 over infidelities. Miracle of life: It comes after Cardi took to her Instagram Story to share a video of her burgeoning baby belly However, the two were back together within months, yet they appeared ready to part again in September of last year when Cardi filed for divorce, only for them to reunite again months later. In December 2019, the Invasion Of Privacy rapper opened up to Vogue about how her fans reacted to her marital difficulties. 'If you love somebody and you stop being with them, and youre depressed and social media is telling you not to talk to that person because he cheated, youre not really happy on the inside until you have the conversation,' she explained. 'Then, if you get back with them, its like, "How could you? You let all of us down." Show-stealer: Cardi revealed her pregnancy at Sunday's BET Awards when she rapped a verse during Migos' performance of Type S***. She emerged in a stunning jeweled bodysuit, which featured a sheer panel over her midriff that revealed her pregnant tummy 'When I was pregnant with Kulture, a lot of people was like, "Oh, he has three kids already; why would you have a kid with somebody that have three kids?" And its like, how is that such a bad thing?' she continued. 'My dad has eight kids, and we all get along, and it feels better, fuller. And with Offset, I feel like his kids just bring a pop of fun to life when theyre in his house. 'I actually love it. It brings out a different side of him that I like to see, and I love to see my baby interacting with her siblings. The more the merrier.' Rocky road: Cardi married Offset secretly in September 2017, but they've split at least twice, with Cardi filing for divorce in September 2020, only to change her mind months later Emily Ratajkowski was pictured taking her newborn son Sylvester for a walk along New York City's sidewalks on Saturday afternoon. The 30-year-old supermodel appeared to be enjoying her time with her baby as she smiled down towards the stroller while getting herself, as well as her dog Colombo, a bit of fresh air. Ratajkowski welcomed her newborn, who she shares with husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, this past March. Stepping out: Emily Ratajkowski was pictured taking her newborn child Sebastian for a walk in New York City on Saturday afternoon Ratajkowski opted for a toned-down clothing ensemble during her stroll. She was seen wearing a slightly oversized half-zip sweater that covered up the top portion of her toned frame. The Blurred Lines video vixen paired her top with a set of dark gray jeans and contrasted her trousers with a pair of multicolored New Balance sneakers. The social media personality's gorgeous brunette hair shot out from underneath a blue cap that featured lettering that humorously read 'dad.' Emily accessorized with several necklaces and a sizable pair of near-wraparound black sunglasses. Easygoing mom: The supermodel opted to wear a slightly oversized half-zip sweater while she spent time with her baby Dressing down: The social media personality also wore a pair of dark gray jeans and a set od multicolored New Balance sneakers Ratajkowski and Bear-McClard were initially romantically linked in 2018, although they had known each other for years before they began dating. Prior to becoming involved with her current spouse, the supermodel was in a relationship with music producer Jeff Magid. The two began dating in 2014 and went on to live together, although they ended things between them four years after they were first connected. The fashion industry figure surprised many of her fans and friends when she announced that she and Bear-McClard had made things official after just weeks of dating. Proud parents: Ratajkowski shares Sylvester with her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard, whom she married after just weeks of dating Following two years of marriage, the social media powerhouse made it publicly known that she was pregnant with the couple's first child. Ratajkowski made the big announcement through an essay that was published by Vogue, where she discussed various aspects of her pregnancy and expressed her concerns about her child's future. During the feature, the fashion industry figure openly pondered about the kind of individual that Sylvester would mature into. 'Who will this person be? What kind of person will we become parents to? How will they change our lives and who we are? This is a wondrous and terrifying concept, one that renders us both helpless and humbled,' she said. Taking their time: After two years of marriage, the fashion industry figure announced that she was pregnant with the couple's child; she is seen with her husband and a friend in June She also spoke about how she did not want to apply any limitations on the basis of gender to her kid and remarked that she would let her newborn figure themselves out. 'I don't like that we force gender-based preconceptions onto people, let alone babies. I want to be a parent who allows my child to show themself to me,' she said. Ratajkowski concluded by admitting that, although she had no clue what the future had in store for her, she was excited to become a parent. 'I'm completely and undeniably helpless when it comes to...who my child will be. But I'm surprisingly unbothered. Instead of feeling afraid, I feel a new sense of peace,' she said. They were dubbed the new Harry and Meghan the British aristocrat who married a raven-haired, Californian-born TV star who is vocal in her support of good causes. But the marriage of Harry Roper-Curzon and Hanna Jaff is already over, I am sad to report, just 18 months after they tied the knot. The pair had enjoyed a whirlwind romance, but appear to be unhappy proof of the adage, Marry in haste, repent at leisure, as they came to realise they barely knew each other at all. Harry, the son of sculptor Lord Teynham and heir to the familys magnificent 1,500-acre Pylewell Park in Hampshire, was introduced to Hanna in September 2019 through aristocratic pal Martha Sitwell. Harry proposed on the ski slopes of Gstaad just two months later and by February 2020 the couple were married. Ill-fated: Hanna Jaff and Harry Roper-Curzons wedding day at Chelsea Town Hall last year. They were dubbed the new Harry and Meghan the British aristocrat who married a raven-haired, Californian-born TV star who is vocal in her support of good causes Despite their high profile on the social scene, the couple kept their wedding at Chelsea Town Hall, West London, a secret from their friends perhaps to avoid anyone questioning if they were rushing into things. Its all a big mess, one close family friend told me. Hanna and Harry are not even on speaking terms and now theyve employed divorce lawyers to thrash it out. Thankfully there are no children involved. There were omens the relationship might have been cursed from the start. When Harry proposed to Hanna, who starred in the Netflix reality show Made In Mexico, he used a family heirloom but the ring caused a rash on Hannas finger. The 34-year-old, who was born in San Diego but grew up in Mexico, is proud of her work trying to improve the world. On social media she urges her followers to undertake simple acts of kindness and compassion along with messages supporting womens rights, Black Lives Matter and LGBT causes. She is like the Mother Teresa of Mexico, one friend told me. And on Instagram she recently posted that shes become a Unesco kindness ambassador. Hanna previously set up a charity called the Jaff Foundation, with the aim of helping poor children learn to read, but it has been inactive since 2017. Somehow she managed to achieve an impressive educational record amid all her good deeds. Her CV on LinkedIn boasted that she studied at Ivy League universities Harvard and Columbia, as well as Kings College London and, impressively, The Sorbonne in Paris. Despite their high profile on the social scene, the couple (pictured above) kept their wedding at Chelsea Town Hall, West London, a secret from their friends Hanna downplayed her record, saying: I studied French at The Sorbonne for four semesters [terms]. And, curiously, since I spoke to her about her academic achievements last week, many have disappeared from her LinkedIn profile. Harry, also 34, is a cousin of the Duchess of York and can trace his family tree back to the 9th Century. He now runs a high-end building refurbishment company. But one thing he wont be rebuilding is his relationship with Hanna, Im told. There is no chance of a reconciliation, the friend says. Relations soured after Harry went to visit her family in Mexico and he quickly realised they should have got to know each other better before they married. Last year this column reported that Harrys father, Lord Teynham also known as the sculptor David Roper-Curzon, was carving a bronze bust of Hanna. So what became of it, I asked Lord Teynham. I lobbed the unfinished bust into the pond on our estate, he replied. That takes the biscuit, Rosie Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley knows how to live life on the edge shes just enjoyed her first biscuit in two decades. The former Victorias Secret model, who lives in LA with son Jack, four, and Hollywood action-man fiance Jason Statham, told fans: Im back in London this week and snacked on a McVities Gold Bar for the first time in probably 20 years. WOW! Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley pictured at the Tom Ford show, Arrivals, in Los Angeles, USA, in February last year The former Victorias Secret model told fans: Im back in London this week and snacked on a McVities Gold Bar (pictured above) for the first time in probably 20 years' Presenters are chomping at the bit to get a regular slot on Good Morning Britain after the departure of fans favourite Piers Morgan. So spare a thought for Adil Ray, who looks to have already been cut from the line-up alongside Susanna Reid. He had swooped in immediately following Pierss exit in March, but has since seen his gig reduced to make way for other presenters, including money-saving expert Martin Lewis. Intriguingly, Adil tweeted on Thursday: GMB tomorrow with Kate Garraway could be my last one for a while. Show sources tell me Adils woke persona didnt resonate with viewers. Edited by Joanna Bell Got a scoop? Email charlotte.griffiths@mailonsunday.co.uk Russell Crowe, 57, is set to take over Sydney for his latest film, Poker Face. The Oscar-winning actor, who will direct as well as star in the upcoming action-thriller, has already has picked out several iconic locations for the film's set pieces, according to the Daily Telegraph. One of the movie's sequences will feature a high speed car chase inside the Harbour Tunnel. Big plans: Russell Crowe, 57, (pictured) is set to take over Sydney for his latest film, Poker Face. Seen here in 2018 Also being showcased in the film will be the $140 million penthouse atop James Packer's Crown Residences and 'a sprawling Point Piper mansion overlooking Sydney Harbour'. The rest of the film will likely be shot at Moore Parks Fox Studios. While the film was originally set in Miami, Florida, Crowe has reportedly demanded the film be filmed and set in Sydney. Glorious: Among the locations being showcased in the film will be the $140 million penthouse atop James Packer's Crown Residences (left) The New Zealand born star wants 'to show people just how stunning and world-class Sydney is,' according to the newspaper's sources. According to Deadline, Poker Face tells the tale of a tech billionaire called Jake (played by Russell) who gathers his childhood friends to his estate for what turns into a high stakes game of poker. 'Those friends have a love hate relationship with the host, a master game-player/planner, and he has concocted an elaborate scheme designed to bring a certain justice to all of them,' Deadline reports. Set piece: One of the movie's sequences will feature a high speed car chase inside the Harbour Tunnel (pictured) Point Piper: 'A sprawling Point Piper mansion overlooking Sydney Harbour' will also feature 'However, Jake finds himself re-thinking his strategy when his mansion is overtaken by a dangerous home invader whose previous jobs have all ended in murder and arson.' Joining Crowe in the cast will be Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA, while his fellow Oscar winner Natalie Portman is 'circling a role'. Russell recently worked with Portman while filming a small part in her film Thor: Love and Thunder. Big names: Joining Crowe in the cast will be Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA, while his fellow Oscar winner Natalie Portman (pictured in 2019) is 'circling a role' Talented cast: Rapper and actor RZA seen here in 2019 Poker Face will mark the first time Crowe has stepped behind the camera since his 2014 directorial debut The Water Diviner. Crowe's boost to the Australian film industry comes after the actor revealed he's not actually an Australian citizen, despite having spent most of his life here. Russell - who was born in Wellington, New Zealand - immigrated to Australia with the rest of his family when he was just four-years-old. Although he eventually returned to New Zealand with his family, he said he 'already considered myself to be an Australian' by the time he moved back. 'My family moved back there but when I was a young adult, I moved back to the city of Sydney, which is the city I grew up in,' he explained in an interview with the Daily Telegraph last month. Pregnant socialite Montarna Pitt has fractured her ankle and coccyx after suffering a nasty fall. Speaking to Emerald City this week, the stunner, who was once publicity guru Roxy Jacenko's assistant and is now a PR boss herself, confirmed she injured herself after tripping on the stairs, and as a result will be walking in a moon boot for the next six weeks. 'Baby Pitt is all safe and sound, it's just me who is in the wars,' the eastern suburbs socialite told the publication. Fall: Pregnant socialite Montarna Pitt (pictured) has fractured her 'ankle and coccyx' after tripping on the stairs Montarna also ruptured her anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) in her foot during the fall. The beauty went on to say she had also purchased a mobility scooter to ensure she could still get around while injured. 'I've purchased my mobility scooter so I'll be boot scootin' around the eastern suburbs once lockdown is lifted,' she added. Up and at it: 'I've purchased my mobility scooter so I'll be boot scootin' around the eastern suburbs once lockdown is lifted,' Montarna (pictured) told the publication In better news for the social queen she will also be launching a collaboration with TROVE, for her first jewellery collection. Montarna was last spotted at friend Nadia Fairfax's celebrity wedding at Swifts, in Darling Point. The pair are known to be pals. The elegant beauty works with The Audience Agency. Ex-boss: Montarna was previously the assistant of Sydney PR guru Roxy Jacenko (pictured) New venture: In better news for the social queen she will also be launching a collaboration with TROVE, for her first jewellery collection. Montarna made headlines when she revealed she was approached to be The Bachelorette back in 2015. The high-flyer, who is now married to Nick Pitt, told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'They asked if I wanted to join the show and the most important question, of course, was 'Are you single?',' she said. 'I told them I've got a boyfriend but they asked me 'Is it going anywhere?' I guess you don't know unless you ask.' They shot to fame after winning Britain's Got Talent back in 2009. And Ashley Banjo has revealed Diversity could be set for bigger and better things as he's in talks with Hollywood and UK producers and directors to make an action film with dancing at the heart of it. The lead dancer and choreographer, 32, told of his grand plans for the upcoming feature film, noting that it will be 'like Mission Impossible or Fast & Furious'. Wow: Ashley Banjo has revealed Diversity is in talks with Hollywood and UK producers and directors to make an action film with dancing at the heart of it (pictured last month) Speaking to the Sunday Mirror about his latest project, Ashley explained: 'Were creating a genuine blockbuster release a feature film for the cinema. It has a feel like Mission Impossible or Fast & Furious. 'Imagine a franchise like those but with dance stunts and genuine creativity at the heart of it.' Teasing the film further, he said: 'I cant say who, but theyre very experienced in action movies and they know dance. Its very cool.' Comparison: The lead dancer and choreographer, 32, told of his grand plans for the upcoming feature film, noting that it will be 'like Mission Impossible or Fast & Furious' The Dancing On Ice judge went on to remark dance films are usually 'cheesy' with a 'predictable script', but insisted their film will present dance in a 'cinematic form' that's never been used in such a way. It comes after Ashley revealed last month a future project with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be in the works following his recent BAFTA win. Speaking on FUBAR Radio's Access All Areas following a phone call he had with the couple last year, Ashley coyly said: 'I think the paths might cross at some point, I'm not sure how. 'There's been a couple of conversations, but, yeah. I'm hoping that our paths cross. That's all I'm going to say. Keep it under wraps as they say.' Ashley hit it off with the pair, joking they 'are buddies now,' adding: 'We've got loads of like loads of common ground, things that we just both relate on.' Co-host Bobby Norris joked their blossoming friendship could lead to some one-to-one dance lessons in the future, to which Ashley said: 'Do you know what? I've heard that Harry can bust a move, so maybe. You just know he's a party boy. You know he can get down.' Exciting: Speaking about his latest project, Ashley explained: 'Were creating a genuine blockbuster release a feature film for the cinema. It has a feel like Mission Impossible' Ashley and the rest of Diversity were inundated with horrific abuse following Diversity's BLM routine, which sparked over 25,000 complaints to Ofcom. The dancer said the phone call from the royals was 'much needed' at the time as he was going through a 'dark period'. He said: 'At the time the conversation was really needed. It was just one of many conversations I had that was like, got me through that sort of like really deep, like dark period.' Discussing the struggles he felt at that time, Ashley said: 'You feel like when you're on socials that like so many people at you. 'So every single message of positivity with people supporting made the difference between me thinking that the whole country was against Diversity to thinking that there was a majority of support. 'That was basically down to the phone calls and the messages and the comments from the people that were there. So I'm forever grateful for them.' He recently underwent an extensive $26,000 dental transformation. And Jake Edwards, 33, put his blindingly white veneers on full display on Saturday, when the Married At First Sight star smiled broadly on the red carpet at Ballers Clubhouse in Melbourne. Edwards was joined by plenty of his fellow reality TV royalty, including his MAFS castmates Patrick Dwyer and James Susler. A reason to smile! Married At First Sight's Jake Edwards, 33, (pictured) put his new veneers on display on Saturday as he attended an event at Ballers Clubhouse in Melbourne The former AFL star rugged up for the launch of Sliders Curling, donning dark jeans and a black hoodie. Over the top he slipped a heavy jacket and capped off the look with a pair of white Nike high top sneakers. But Jake's best accessory was his smile, which he boldly flashed after having confessed to previously hiding because of his distaste for his teeth. Looking good: Jake recently became the latest reality star to undergo a $26,000 dental transformation, after admitting his teeth were his biggest insecurity Winners are grinners: Edwards cheerfully posed for a photo with fellow MAFS star Patrick Dwyer (right), who also underwent a dental transformation recently Jake cheerfully posed for a photo with another MAFS star who also recently had his smile overhauled - Patrick Dwyer. The personal trainer kept cosy in a puffy Kathmandu jacket, which her paired with dark jeans. Later, the duo were joined by luxury car dealer James Susler, who brought a touch of class in a dark turtleneck. The boys are back in town: Later, the duo were joined by luxury car dealer James Susler, who brought a touch of class in a dark turtleneck Props: Susler cheerfully posed with props at the winter-themed event Solo: Of the three season 8 stars, only Patrick is the only participant who is still dating the woman he 'married' on the show Of the three season 8 stars, only Patrick is the only MAFS participant who is still dating the woman he 'married during the experiment. However, his girlfriend Belinda Vickers did not attend the event. In a post shared to Instagram last week, Patrick revealed that he and Belinda had been temporarily separated because she's in quarantine. Snap back to reality: MAFS New Aealand alum Samuel Levi (left) struck a pose with Bachelor star Chelsie McLeod, with both socialites wearing elaborately patterned outfits Hitting the slopes: The influencers also clutched props for the photo op, with both holding onto ski poles. Also in attendance were Samuel Levi, Chelsie McLeod, Clare Verrall, Maria Thattil, Amy-Lee Dixon and Jazmin Varlet. MAFS New Zealand alum Levi struck a pose with Bachelor star Chelsie, with both stars wearing elaborately patterned outfits. The influencers also posed with ski poles during their playful arrival at the event. Legs for days: Model Amy-Lee Dixon showed off her pins in a pair of thigh-high boots Beauty queen: Miss Universe Australia title holder Maria Thattil also made a cameo Stepping out solo for the evening was model Amy-Lee Dixon. Braving the elements, the brunette bombshell wore a miniskirt with thigh high boots, giving only a glimpse of her gorgeous gams. Meanwhile another ex-MAFS bride, Clare Verrall, showed up with a couple of gal pals for the star-studded affair. Girls night out: Meanwhile another ex-MAFS bride, Clare Verrall, (left) showed up with a couple of gal pals for the star-studded affair Jake recently became the latest reality star to undergo a $26,000 dental transformation, after admitting his teeth were his biggest insecurity. Last Tuesday, former AFL star underwent a complete reconstruction of his smile - and the results are certainly impressive. Jake had seven Picasso Porcelain Veneers and four Picasso Porcelain Crowns valued at $26,000. Jake opted for a 'natural' style, and is understood to have wanted something that simply improved the look of his damaged teeth. Songstress: The Voice star Jazmin Varlett seen here (right) with a female friend 'I'm just extremely happy and overwhelmed,' he said about the procedure. Jake, who recently completed a four-week stint at a wellness retreat for his mental health, added: 'It's been a challenging four months and this for me right now is part of my new chapter and new journey in life. The MAFS star previously said his teeth were his biggest insecurity, after receiving negative DMs from trolls after his appearance on the match-making show. His own 'wife', Rebecca Zemek, criticised his teeth in front of the nation when the pair first met down the aisle. Former Nickelodeon Dan Schneider has opened up about his 2018 departure from the kid-centric network while denying any untoward behavior. The 55-year-old producer, writer and occasional actor opened up to The New York Times about his surprise split from Nickelodeon years ago amid rumors that he was verbally abusive and had been inappropriate around his child actors. Schneider vehemently denies the rumors, including social media speculation that he may have used his young actors to play out foot fetish fantasies. Fighting back: Dan Schneider, 55, who produced numerous Nickelodeon shows prior to 2018, denied rumors spread on social media that he displayed inappropriate behavior on set in a New York Times interview last week; seen in 2011 in West Hollywood Amid a review of his conduct on set from ViacomCBS, which owns Nickelodeon, social media users began posting compilations of stills from his various shows, including the newly rebooted iCarly, which featured the actors prominently showing off their bare feet. Online commentators found the recurring images disturbing, especially as many of the actors showing off their feet were minors, though they weren't featured in any explicitly sexual or erotic situations. However, other social media users also used clips from his shows to suggest that Schneider had included sexual innuendos. The producer and writer was familiar with the posts and called them 'ridiculous.' Splitsville: Schneider and Nickelodeon parted ways in 2018, reportedly after an investigation from ViacomCBS concluded he had been verbally abusive to his coworkers; seen in 2014 at the Kids' Choice Awards Searching for patterns: Around the time of the #MeToo movement, social media users suggested he may have slipped in sexual content by compiling images of his minor actors showing their bare feet According to The Times, he blamed social media companies for pushing 'any lie,' though the posts appear to have originated with regular users. Schneider added that feet are just one comic tool, as children often find them silly and funny, and he denied ever trying to sexualize his actors. 'The comedy was totally innocent,' he said. But the questions the posts raised came at the worst possible time for Schneider amid the rise of the #MeToo movement. An investigation into his on-set conduct didn't find any evidence of sexual misconduct, but some of his colleagues accused him of being verbally abusive. Nothing to see here: He defended foot humor as 'totally innocent' and said kids find it funny. The investigation found no evidence of sexual misconduct; seen in 2012 with Jennette McCurdy (L) and Ariana Grande (R) They described him as prone to angry outbursts and said he would often pen furious emails. But some people interview for the investigation described behavior they found disturbing. He allegedly asked a costume department employee for massages multiple times, and his text conversations with some of the minor actors could reportedly go on past their work hours. But Schneider denied any inappropriate behavior with his casts. 'I couldnt, and I wouldnt have the long-term friendships and continued loyalty from so many reputable people if Id mistreated my actors of any age, especially minors,' he said. Can't take the heat: He claimed that those who found him 'difficult' were just reacting negatively to his 'high standards'; seen in 2017 He claimed that those who found him 'difficult' were just reacting negatively to his 'high standards.' 'Im very willing to defend creative things that I believe in,' he said. Some former crew members on the set of his series Victorious shared that the main character had a locker covered with photos of hunky men which included a headshot of the producer when he was younger. However, he denied adding it himself and suggested it was included as a joke by a member of the art department. Following the conclusion of the investigation, Nickelodeon and Schneider both sent out statements announcing that they were parting ways. Cut out: Instead of working on new projects, Schneider has been silent in recent years. He isn't involved with the new Paramount+ reboot of his Nick series iCarly; still from the iCarly reboot trailer But instead of working on new projects, the producer has been almost completely absent from the television industry since then, though he still managed to keep the remaining $7 million on his contract. His series iCarly was released this month in a rebooted version with the original cast for the Paramount+ streaming app, but Schneider is only credited as creator and has no actual involvement with the new series. Schneider claimed that it was 'exhausting' having to complete up to 50 episodes per year when he worked with Nickelodeon. 'I took a break to take care of a lot of stuff that Id let go by the wayside for decades,' Schneider said. 'Whatever I do next, I want it to outdo what Ive done in the past.' Among his accomplishment in the years since he parted ways with the network was a dramatic 100+ pound weight loss. Nick Cannon officially became a father of seven on June 23, when his presumed current girlfriend Alyssa Scott gave birth to a baby boy. Alyssa shared the news to her Instagram account on Saturday night, revealing that they had named the child Zen. The news makes Nick, 40, the father of three newborns, as his ex-girlfriend Abby De La Rosa welcomed their twins on June 14. Baby love: Nick Cannon, 40, became a father of seven, including three newborns, when his girlfriend welcomed their son Zen on June 23 Growing family: Weeks earlier, his ex Abby De La Rosa gave birth to their twin boys; seen in 2019 in LA Alyssa shared the news with a lovely set of photos of her from behind as she cradled little Zen, who was wrapped up in a blanket in her arms. The little boy appeared to be snoozing, and he had a thick head of hair already. Alyssa shared a mix of elegant black-and-white photos and color snaps to share the news. She was dressed elegantly for the low-key photoshoot in a backless black dress, with her hair styled up in a messy bun to showcase her dangling earrings. Another black-and-white snap showed her caressing her very pregnant tummy in a silk dress for a mirror selfie. Sweet: Alyssa shared the news with a lovely set of photos of her from behind as she cradled little Zen, who was wrapped up in a blanket in her arms Gorgeous: She was dressed elegantly for the low-key photoshoot in a backless black dress, with her hair styled up in a messy bun to showcase her dangling earrings Ready to pop: Another black-and-white snap showed her caressing her very pregnant tummy in a silk dress for a mirror selfie 'I will love you for eternity - 62321,' she captioned the post, adding the baby's birthdate. A color version of the photos in her Insta Stories added that his name was Zen. Nick had advertised Alyssa's pregnancy in an earlier Instagram post on his own account, which she reposted to her Insta Stories for Father's Day. 'Celebrating you today,' she captioned the picture of Nick reaching from behind her to caress her pregnant stomach while she leaned against a rocky outcropping on a beach. Alyssa first announced her pregnancy in May, but it wasn't until her Father's Day post that she confirmed that the Wild 'N Out host was the father. Baby on board: Nick had advertised Alyssa's pregnancy in an earlier Instagram post on his own account, which she reposted to her Insta Stories for Father's Day Making it official: Alyssa first announced her pregnancy in May, but it wasn't until her Father's Day post that she confirmed that the Wild 'N Out host was the father Alyssa's post received a torrent of congratulations from her followers. Little is known of Nick's relationship with Alyssa, though they were seen at the popular celebrity spot Nobu in October of 2020. In May, she called him 'a player' in a social media exchange, suggesting he wasn't committed, though things seem to be better between the two now. But Nick will have his hands full with their child, as he has two other babies born just days earlier. On June 14, his ex-girlfriend Abby De La Rosa, 30, gave birth to twin boys Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir. Abby wrote on Instagram: 'Our dearest sons: my miracle babies. Thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy. I know the Lord has destined me and prepared me for the gift of not one but two little angels... 'I pray that God give you both the strength to walk brave and boldly in your individual truth just like your Daddy. That God bless you and your brother and guide you into living out your full purpose.' Too many to count: On June 14, Nick's ex-girlfriend Abby De La Rosa, 30, gave birth to twin boys Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir Two sets of twins: Nick shares his oldest children, 10-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan Scott, with his ex-wife Mariah Carey; seen in 2018 in Inglewood, Calif. The twins arrived less than six months after his ex Brittany Bell gave birth to a daughter named Powerful Queen, now six months old, back in late December. The pair also share an older son named Golden who is three years old. Nick shares his oldest children, 10-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan Scott, with his ex-wife Mariah Carey. Nick previously joked about not wanting to use contraceptives in a 2017 Howard Stern interview, so he may not be opposed to even more children in the future. After speaking about his battle with the autoimmune disease Lupus, he said, 'I'm probably gonna die sooner than most people... so let's f*** all night! So why wear condoms? I might not be here tomorrow!' The TV host was diagnosed with the disease in 2012 and was hospitalized for it in 2016. In an interview with The Sun from June, Nick's father James suggested his son's many children were partly due to his anti-abortion beliefs. Laurent Brant has given brand new details on her secret wedding to Barry Hall in a lengthy Instagram post. The pregnant Hi-5 star, 32, and the former AFL player, 44, tied the knot in a spontaneous ceremony on February 17 - prompted by a suggestion by her dying sister-in-law Sandy. Uploading footage taken during their drive to the wedding ceremony, Lauren wrote to Instagram: 'Sandy suggested we all go to the [sunflower] fields for a 'wedding' there, so that's what we made happen,' wrote the mother-of-two. 'Everyone was surprised': Laurent Brant, 32, (left) gave new details about her secret, impromptu wedding to Barry Hall, 44, (right) in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday 'As a lover of sunflowers, Sandy had planned on going to the fields that day with her family as her last outing,' continued Lauren. 'Sandy asked Tyron & their daughter Allegra to go home to choose me one of her rings for the 'engagement' & to get her a dress to wear. Although we were all in the miss-matched clothes we woke up in, Sandy was determined to dress for the occasion, her last 'occasion.'' 'Her son Connor stayed with her to help her shower & brush her hair. I [texted] the celebrant to head to the sunflowers & Barry and I went to my parents where our boys were.' 'Sandy had planned on going to the fields that day with her family as her last outing': The idea to suddenly tie the knot was suggested by Lauren's terminally ill sister-in-law Sandy (left) Wedding bells! Lauren accompanied the post with footage taken during their drive to the wedding ceremony 'We shared the 'engagement & wedding' news with Mum & Dad & then FaceTimed my other 2 brothers & sister-in law. Everyone was surprised - but it made total sense to them and they all made themselves available.' 'We told everyone to just jump in their cars in whatever they were wearing & in a convoy of 6 vehicles, the wedding party made their way to the sunflowers, in the pouring rain!' 'On the way Barry and I listened to what could be our 'Wedding Song' and Barry said he loved the words to 'All Of Me' by John Legend' so that's what we chose.' Spur of the moment: 'We told everyone to just jump in their cars in whatever they were wearing & in a convoy of 6 vehicles, the wedding party made their way to the sunflowers, in the pouring rain!' Lauren explained Tragic: Sandra died from bowel cancer on March 4. She was 41 'We tried to explain what was happening to the boys but they managed to fit in a little nap instead! Just before we had left the hospital, I called @farm.and.co, where the Sunflowers were - to let them know what had just happened & what was about to happen & I think I just confused them more than anything in my 'million mile an hour' explanation.' 'Luckily EJ arrived before us and 'set the scene. The cafe had just closed for the day so we were able to use that for the ceremony & stay out of the rain.' 'Everyone arrived, we gathered, my parents had secretly brought their original wedding rings for us to use & just 2 hours after we got engaged, the elopement ceremony started' concluded the TV personality. Big news: In a candid interview on A Current Affair on Monday, Lauren and Barry announced they are expecting their third son after secretly marrying in February Sandra, who was terminally ill with bowel cancer, tragically passed away two weeks after the impromptu ceremony. In a candid interview on A Current Affair on Monday, Lauren and Barry announced they are expecting their third son after secretly marrying in February. They're already parents to sons Miller, four, and Houston, two. Melbourne WAG Bec Judd is currently enjoying a getaway at the snow with her husband and their four children. And the 38-year-old showed the pitfalls of a family trip to subzero weather as she showed her children playing with sharp icicles. 'Mum my icicles,' son Darcy nonchalantly showed Bec. Is that safe? Bec Judd's kids got her worried as they played with sharp icicles on their luxe Mount Buller holiday on Sunday, which she shared to Instagram 'Jesus, Darce,' Bec replied, sounding every inch the worried mother. 'That's a weapon. Where did you guys find those?' One of the children mentioned she could reach the icicles on the house. 'Oh, I don't know about that,' Bec said. 'Don't lick them. It will rip your tongue off if you lick them. OK.' Warning: 'Oh, I don't know about that,' Bec said, clearly concerned. 'Don't lick them. It will rip your tongue off if you lick them. OK.' Bec's children then joked they were 'unicorns' as they put the icicles on their heads. Bec has shared a number of photos from her Mount Buller getaway, including herself and Chris dining at expensive restaurant Black Cockatoo. Elsewhere, Bec had fun with her children at Buller Air Zone, and on the slopes, enjoying private lessons from the mountain's world-class ski instructors. Family: Bec has shared a number of photos from her Mt Buller getaway The brunette beauty has also shared updates on the renovations of her multimillion dollar ski chalet, including the children's room, complete with bunk beds. It comes after she took her followers on a tour through her luxurious chalet. Last Wednesday, Bec shared a video from her new pad in Victoria's Mount Buller, saying she's had ski racks installed in her laundry and drying room. 'Ski racks are in,' Bec captioned the short clip. The racks are placed opposite a marble sink and next to them is a floor-to-ceiling storage space for shoes and ski boots Bec did a little walk through the area, showing a pair of glass doors leading to her ski racks and ski gear cupboard. The racks are placed opposite a marble sink and next to them is a floor-to-ceiling storage space for shoes and ski boots. Bec, who is married to former Carlton captain Chris Judd, in May revealed the renovations were almost done as she had various boxes of ski gear delivered. Almost finished: Bec, who is married to former Carlton captain Chris Judd, in May revealed the renovations were almost done as she had various boxes of ski gear delivered 'I'm waiting for a big truck to come and take all these stuff up to the mountains. We are getting very close,' she said at the time. Rebecca added: 'All the art has arrived for Mount Buller. We got all our ski boots and snowboards last week. 'A little bit more art to come this week. A couple more deliveries and we are good to go.' According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Judds have enlisted the help of home expert Dale Cheesman to renovate their chalet. It comes after Rebecca and Chris transformed their Spanish colonial-style mansion in Melbourne's Brighton after buying it for $7.3million in March 2018. Bindi Irwin resurfaced on Instagram on Sunday after announcing a social media break and exposing her highly publicised rift with grandfather Bob Irwin Snr. The wildlife warrior, 22, was pictured cradling three-month-old daughter Grace in a post shared to husband Chandler Powell's Instagram, as Chandler introduced fans to a new kangaroo joey at Australia Zoo. Last month, Bindi made headlines when she spoke about her strained relationship with Bob, 82, in a scathing Facebook post, claiming he has shown 'no interest in spending time with me or my family'. Headlines: Bindi Irwin, 22, resurfaced on Instagram on Sunday, after announcing a social media break and exposing her family feud with grandfather Bob Irwin Snr. Pictured with husband Chandler Powell, 24, and their three-month-old daughter Grace on another occasion In Chandler's photo, Bindi cut a casual figure in a plaid shirt, jeans and sneakers, and smiled as she cradled little Grace on her lap while crouching down to meet the joey. 'Introducing our @australiazoo kangaroo joey to our human joey. Grace absolutely loved meeting the littlest roos with her mama,' Chandler, 24, wrote in the caption. Fans flocked to the comments section, telling Chandler that they hoped Bindi 'was okay' after she announced she was taking a social media break for her mental health. Promoting their work: Chandler shared this photo to his Instagram of Bindi cradling Grace, as he introduced fans to a new kangaroo joey at Australia Zoo. 'Grace absolutely loved meeting the littlest roos with her mama,' Chandler, wrote in the post's caption On June 21, Bindi shared a photo on Instagram of herself cuddling Grace and said she was 'working hard' to protect her mental health. She wrote: 'Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I'm taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family. 'I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal). You can keep up with our adventures by following my family and Australia Zoo on social media. Mental health break: It comes after Bindi announced in an Instagram post on June 21 that she was taking a month off from social media and most of her work in the public eye. 'I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family,' Bindi wrote in the lengthy caption 'Recently, I've had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health. Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth. 'To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day - I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed. 'Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times. Remember there are helplines available. 'Mental health deserves more understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness.' Heartfelt: Bindi encouraged her fans to surround themselves with 'the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times' Claims: Last month, Bindi addressed her troubled relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob (right) in a scathing Facebook comment. Pictured in November 2007 with her mother Terri Irwin and brother Robert Late last month, Bindi addressed her troubled relationship with her estranged grandfather Bob in a scathing Facebook comment. She wrote: 'I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family.' Bindi went on to claim that Bob had 'returned gifts I've sent after he opened them' and ignored any letters sent from her. 'From the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me,' she continued. Barbed: She wrote, 'I wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately, my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family' Strained: 'He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart,' Bindi claimed. Pictured: Bob holding a photograph of Bindi in 2008 'He has never said a single kind word to me personally. It breaks my heart.' She went on to say that her mother Terri Irwin still writes to him and sends birthday cards and Christmas gifts, but claims they have received no reply. 'We have also been his financial support since 1992 when he returned from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week,' she added. 'We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his wellbeing. 'I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health. I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain,' Bindi concluded. Tammin Sursok has arrived home in Australia and completed 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine with her family in Sydney. On Sunday, the actress, 37, who had flown in from Los Angeles last month to work on acting projects Down Under, jumped on an interstate flight. The Pretty Little Liars star wheeled baggage through Sydney Airport alongside her husband, Sean McEwen, and their children, Phoenix, seven, and Lennon, two. In town: Tammin Sursok (pictured) has arrived home in Australia and completed 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine with her family in Sydney The South African-born star, who had earlier documented her family's arrival from Los Angeles on social media, sported a face mask. She dressed comfortably in a grey sweater, matching beanie, a pair of tight blue jeans, and slate-toned flats. Looking chipper, Tammin appeared to have quite a lot of luggage and boxes in tow, perhaps for a long stay. All aboard: On Sunday, the actress, 37, who had flown in from Los Angeles last month to work on acting projects Down Under, jumped on an interstate flight with her husband and kids Family: The Pretty Little Liars star wheeled baggage through Sydney Airport alongside her husband, Sean McEwen, and their children, Phoenix, six, and Lennon, two. All pictured Saying safe: The South African-born star, who had earlier documented her family's arrival from Los Angeles on social media, sported a face mask Staying? Looking chipper, Tammin appeared to have quite a lot of luggage and boxes in tow, perhaps for a long stay Husband Sean, also wearing a mask, was likewise overloaded with a number of heavy bags. Even the kids, who like their parents were masked up, pushed along some luggage, including their mother's Louis Vuitton backpack, which sat in a pram. Tammin had earlier soothed coronavirus fears by letting fans know her family were fully vaccinated. Comfy: She dressed comfortably in a grey sweater, matching beanie, a pair of tight blue jeans, and slate-toned flats A lot of stuff! Husband Sean, also wearing a mask, was likewise overloaded with a number of heavy bags Helpers: Even the kids, who like their parents were masked up, pushed along some luggage, including their mother's Louis Vuitton backpack, which sat in a pram The Aquamarine star is in the country for work, however she has not yet announced which projects she has signed up for. The former Home and Away actress, who portrayed Dani Sutherland on the show from 2000 to 2004, recently said she would happily return to the long-running soap for a cameo part. 'I would do a cameo for the fans for sure,' the US-based actress told New Idea. Ready for action: The Aquamarine star is in the country for work, however she has not yet announced which projects she has signed up for Jabbed; Tammin had earlier soothed coronavirus fears by letting fans know her family were fully vaccinated Tammin credited the beloved Australia series for her big break in the industry, before moving to the US to make it big in Hollywood. 'It's where I started and what gave me everything in my career if it wasn't for that show I don't know where my life would've gone,' she said. 'I'm very grateful for the experience and the opportunity and so I would definitely do a cameo.' Cameo: The former Home and Away actress, who portrayed Dani Sutherland on the show from 2000 to 2004, recently said she would happily return to the long-running soap for a cameo Soon? 'I would do a cameo for the fans for sure,' the US-based actress told New Idea However, fans may be disappointed to hear that she is not looking for a permanent role. 'I don't think I would go back and replay that character for a long time because I think her story was told,' she said. Since Tammin moved stateside she has found success on a number of US shows. Out of town: Tammin has called Los Angeles home for the past decade, and last returned to Australia for a visit with family in August 2019 The actress portrayed Colleen Carlton on iconic soap opera The Young and The Restless between 2007 and 2009. She also famously portrayed Jenna Marshall on the American drama series Pretty Little Liars. Tammin has called Los Angeles home for the past decade, and last returned to Australia for a visit with family in August 2019. She is known for putting on a sizzling display at every turn. And Karrueche Tran did not disappoint on Saturday evening as she attended the PrettyLittleThing Madhouse event at Wisdome in Los Angeles. Also in attendance at the event, which was hosted by Teyana Taylor, was her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown with whom the actress had a tumultous relationship. Sizzling: Karrueche Tran did not disappoint on Saturday evening as she attended the PrettyLittleThing Madhouse event at Wisdome in Los Angeles The TV star, 33, who is known for playing Virginia Loc on the comedy-drama show Claws, looked incredible in a black two-piece comprising a halterneck bra and trousers with a cut-out detail at the hip. Karrueche ensured all eyes were on her as she emerged for the party looking incredible in the flesh-flashing ensemble. The two-time Daytime Emmy award-winner, born Karrueche Tientrese Tran, wore a halterneck bralet which boasted a hoop centre fastening. The trousers sat high on her waist but she was certain to keep more skin on show thanks to the cut-out hips with a lace-up fastening. Oh my! The American actress, 33, who is known for playing Virginia Loc on the comedy-drama show Claws, looked incredible in a black two-piece comprising a halterneck bra and trousers with a cut-out detail at the hip Former flame: Also in attendance at the event was her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown who the actress had a tumultous relationship with Sizzling: Karrueche ensured all eyes were on her as she emerged for the party looking incredible in the flesh-flashing ensemble She accessorised with a trendy hat and plety of bling. Making her make-up an event in itself, she wore a slick of neon green eyeliner on her eyelids which was the only splash of colour in the look. She posed up a storm alongside host Teyana, who was dramatically dressed in a red ensemble with playing cards extending her body. Chris opted for a casual look for the evening, sporting a white short-sleeved shirt with black trousers with a snake print. Wow: She posed up a storm alongside Teyana Taylor, who was dramatically dressed in a red ensemble with playing cards extending her body He completed is look with a pair of green trainers and a pair of sunglasses. Chris and Karrueche began dating in 2011 and split in 2015 after it was revealed he had a daughter, Royalty Brown, with Nia Guzman. In February 2017, Karrueche was granted a 100-yard temporary restraining order against Chris after accusing him of being physically abusive and threatening her. She was then granted a five-year restraining order against him in June 2017 after testifying under oath. Pose: The actress accessorised with a trendy hat and plety of bling Sensational: Leomie Anderson displayed her jaw-dropping figure in a purple crop top with a plunging neckline with a matching mini skirt Looking good: Also in attendance at the bash was Keke Palmer who showed off her sense of style in a pink long-sleeved mini dress with a plaid print, which she paired with Billini boots Outfit: The actress, 27, added height to her frame with a pair of white leather boots while she styled her locks into a bun Laid back: Chris opted for a casual look for the evening, sporting a white short-sleeved shirt with black trousers with a snake print Also in attendance at the bash was Keke Palmer who showed off her sense of style in a pink long-sleeved mini dress with a plaid print. The actress, 27, added height to her frame with a pair of white leather boots from Billini while she styled her locks into a bun. Meanwhile, Leomie Anderson displayed her jaw-dropping figure in a purple crop top with a plunging neckline with a matching mini skirt. The party came just hours after Karrueche was seen putting on another sensational display while attending Goya Studios in Los Angeles on Friday. The stunner stepped out in paisley print hot pants which showcased her toned legs as she attended hitmaker Saweetie's 28th birthday party. She completed her all-orange look with a chunky silver chain necklace and stacks of bangles and accentuated her endless legs in a pair of heeled tan boots. Green with envy: Making her make-up an event in itself, she wore a slick of neon green eyeliner on her eyelids which was the only splash of colour in the look Paris Hilton recently revealed she is undergoing IVF and is planning to have twins with her hunky fiance, who popped the question earlier this year. And the iconic heiress was giving a nod to baby hues during a date night with her fiance Cater Reum as they headed to Nobu on Saturday night, where Paris was seen to pose with an arched back and sporting a baby blue mini dress. . The socialite, 40, put on a stylish display in a thigh-skimming baby blue mini which featured an elasticated waist that sat between her bust and the top of her stomach as she stepped out for sushi hand-in-hand with her beau. Happy couple: Paris Hilton and her fiance Cater Reum put on a loved-up display as they headed for a date night dinner at Nobu on Saturday night Paris looked sensational as she showcased her toned legs in the chic long-sleeved dress with a Peter Pan collar detail. She paired the shimmering dress with a pair of black Valentino Rockstud stilettos. The successful DJ wore her blonde tresses in a sleek shoulder-length bob, which she tucked behind one ear. Going full glam for the outing, Paris looked flawless in copper-toned eyeshadow and peachy blusher. She kept her essentials nearby as she toted a small black handbag and sunglasses in one hand. Keeping accessorising to a minimum, Paris added a pair of simple diamond stud earrings and her large diamond engagement ring to the ensemble. Meanwhile, Carter cut a casual figure for the date night dinner with his betrothed in black jeans and a matching T-shirt. Chic: The socialite, 40, recently revealed she is undergoing IVF and is planning to have twins with her hunky fiance, who popped the question earlier this year Cute: Paris and her beau sweetly held hands as they walked from their car to the romantic dinner Adding a splash of colour, the businessman sported a pair of eye-catching green socks and box fresh white trainers. In January, Paris revealed she is undergoing IVF with 'soulmate' Carter to ensure she can have a 'boy and girl twin'. The socialite, told The Trend Reporter with Mara podcast that best friend Kim Kardashian, 40, had introduced her to the idea. Paris said: '[Kim was the one] who told me about that. I didn't even know anything about it. I'm happy that she told me that advice and introduced me to her doctor. We have been doing IVF, so I can pick twins if I like.' Stunning: Paris looked sensational as she showcased her toned legs in the chic long-sleeved dress with a Peter Pan collar detail Chic! She opted for a similar ensemble on Friday while enjoying another meal with Carter The hotel heiress admitted the egg extraction procedure was 'tough' to go through, and explained she had to undergo the method 'a couple of times'. She added: 'I've already undergone the egg extraction procedure. It was tough, but I knew it would be worth it. I did it a couple of times. '[Carter] is just my dream guy He's 100 percent [the one]. We talk about [planning a wedding] all the time and planning our babies' names and all of that. 'Just doing it together and having a partner that is just so supportive and always makes me feel just like a princess all the time ... that it wasn't that bad. Heels: She paired the shimmering dress with a pair of black Valentino Rockstud stilettos and held onto Carter for extra support while navigating the courtyard Introduction: The socialite, told The Trend Reporter with Mara podcast that best friend Kim Kardashian, 40, had introduced her to the idea (Paris and Kim pictured in 2006) 'So, I'm really excited to just move on for the next step of my life, and finally just have like a real life. Because I really do believe that having a family and having children is the meaning of life. 'And I haven't got to experience that yet, because I didn't feel like anybody deserved that love from me, and now I finally found the person who does.' Meanwhile, Paris is already aunty to younger sister Nicky's daughters Lily-Grace, 4; and Teddy, 3; and her sister-in-law Tessa's daughter Milou, 16 month. Gorgeous: The successful DJ wore her blonde tresses in a sleek shoulder-length bob, which she tucked behind one ear Nicky told US Weekly in 2019 that Paris would be an 'incredible mother.' Paris and Carter were first romantically linked in December 2019. The businessman eventually popped the question while the couple celebrated her 40th birthday on a private island this past February, although they have yet to announce a wedding date. Stunning: Going full glam for the outing, Paris looked flawless in copper-toned eyeshadow and peachy blusher Her engagement ring, a mega-carat, emerald-cut sparkler, was designed by jeweler Jean Dousset, who's the great-great-grandson of famed French jeweler Louis Cartier, according to People. The New York City native is planning on filming a TV special about the run-up to their wedding, but so far Carter, a venture capitalist, has not agreed to be directly involved. In a recent interview, Paris said that she's still trying to convince him to allow the cameras to film him for the show. 'He doesn't like the camera. He doesn't do red carpets, doesn't do interviews. He's so focused on his business, and I love that about him,' she confessed. At the ready: She kept her essentials nearby as she toted a small black handbag and sunglasses in one hand She's been inseparable from her beau Travis Barker since they were first romantically linked back in January, with the couple regularly seen packing on the PDA. But Kourtney Kardashian, 42, opted to spend some time bonding with Travis' daughter Alabama, 15, and stepdaughter Atiana, 22 whose mother is Shanna Moakler when they enjoyed a sun-soaked trip to the coast on Saturday. The Los Angeles-based mother-of-three took to her Instagram stories to share breathtaking footage of the Pacific shoreline, as well as a snap of herself posing with her beau's girls, and Sarah Howard, who works on the star's lifestyle website, Poosh. Girls trip: Kourtney Kardashian shared a snap of herself with her beau Travis Barker's stepdaughter Atiana and daughter Alabama, as well as friend Sarah Howard, on Saturday For her part, Alabama took to her own account on the image-sharing platform to share a brief clip of Kourtney filming the coast, tagging the TV personality and adding a heart emoji next to her name. By the end of the day, Kourtney was back in the arms of Blink-182 drummer Travis, as she shared a shot of their feet entwined as they watched TV together. Back in May, Alabama, claimed that her mother Shanna, 46, hadn't seen or called her in seven months in a short Instagram Live video. The shocking clip came amid a report that her father's girlfriend Kourtney had become a 'huge support system' in her life. Day in the sun: Kourtney Kardashian shared a series of posts from the sun-soaked girls' day out Fun: For her part, Alabama took to her own Instagram account to share a brief clip of Kourtney filming the coast, tagging the TV personality and adding a heart emoji next to her name She said in the brief clip: 'If you guys support [Moakler], you can't you're saying, "Don't disrespect the person who gave you life," but the woman that gave me life isn't in my life. 'She asked to see me maybe once I've gone seven months without seeing my mom and her not calling me once. So if you guys support that, go for it, support it, I don't care.' Alabama capped off the short clip by urging her fans not to speak about their relationship without hearing all sides. 'Don't come on my Live talking bad about me just because you believe in her more than me. My mom is not I'm not out here disrespecting my mom. I just have an opinion, and I'm gonna say my opinion,' she said. It comes after Alabama and her brother Landon, 17 whose father is also rocker Travis accused their mother of being an absent parent. So in love: Kourtney has been inseparable from her beau Travis Barker since they were first romantically linked back in January, with the couple regularly seen packing on the PDA 'My mom has never completely been in my life. Can you guys stop painting her out to be an amazing mom?' Alabama posted on Instagram after sharing a message, reportedly from Shanna to another Instagram user about Alabama. 'Did your moms ask to see you on Mothers Day [because] mine didnt? Im done keeping it a secret, reality shows.' Meanwhile, E! News previously reported that things were better than ever between Alabama and her father's new girlfriend Kourtney. A source close to the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star said: 'Kourtney has become very close with Travis' kids recently, especially when it comes to Alabama.' In addition to his two biological children, Travis also remains close to Shanna's daughter Atiana, from her previous relationship with boxer Oscar De La Hoya. Ex-wife: Blink-182's Travis shares his children with ex-wife Shanna Moakler (pictured in 2007) Shanna fired back at her daughter's suggestions that she's been an absent parent, saying in a statement to People: 'Co-parenting is hard, but I have always and will continue to prioritize my children's happiness and well-being.' She also complained to Us Weekly that Kourtney and the rest of the KardashianJenner clan were 'putting a wedge' in her relationship with her children. 'The Kardashians are buying my kids Prada every other day,' the former Miss USA claimed. 'They're going on lavish trips. They're doing all these things, which is fine. I think it's nice that they're being kind to my kids. I want that for my children.' But she also noted the newfound distance between herself and her children, saying: 'I don't think it's great when they put a wedge in between their biological mother.' Travis and Shanna were married in 2004, though he filed for divorce in 2006. They later reconciled, but a divorce was finalised in 2008. Kourtney has her own family with her children Mason, 11, Penelope, eight, and Reign, six, from her relationship with Scott Disick, whom she was with from 2005 to 2015. Like all Sydneysiders, Karl Stefanovic is halfway through a strict two-week lockdown. And on Saturday, the Today show anchor appeared in great spirits at his new home in Castlecrag, in a short clip shared to his Instagram Stories. The 46-year-old busted a few dance moves in front of the TV after being gifted Negroni and another bottle of hard liquor from Sydney restaurant Mr Wong. In great spirits: Karl Stefanovic (pictured), 46, showed off his dance moves at his Sydney home on Saturday in a clip shared to his Instagram Stories, as he was gifted alcohol during the city's strict two-week lockdown Filmed by wife Jasmine Stefanovic, 37, Karl cut a casual figure in a white polo shirt, dark pants and a paperboy cap. He moved to the beat and made a number of animated facial expressions while holding onto bottles of liquor. 'Lockdown, dad and mum. Thanks @mrwongsydney,' Karl captioned the clip, as his footwear designer wife laughed in the background. Sydney has been thrust into a strict lockdown until midnight on July 9 as coronavirus case numbers surge, with fears the two-week lockdown could be extended. Lockdown treats: Karl and his wife Jasmine Stefanovic (pictured), 37, were treated to a bottle of Negroni and other hard liquor by Sydney restaurant Mr Wong Karl and Jasmine finally moved into their new home in Castlecrag, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, earlier this week. The couple took ownership of the property just two days before Sydney was forced into lockdown last Saturday, reports Realestate.com.au. Karl and Jasmine purchased the home in March for $3.2million after the house they'd been renting nearby was sold for more than $8million. New home: Karl and Jasmine finally moved into their new home (pictured) in Castlecrag, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, earlier this week. The couple took ownership of the property just two days before Sydney was forced into lockdown last Saturday, reports Realestate.com.au Cashing in: Karl and Jasmine purchased the home in March for $3.2million after the house they'd been renting nearby was sold for more than $8million. Pictured with their one-year-old daughter Harper The new property, which the Stefanovics are expected to renovate, boasts views over Castlecrag's north escarpment and is close to the village's cafes and shops. It includes a self-contained unit with a separate entry and its own bathroom. They also own a holiday home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, which they bought for $3.6million in January last year and travel to frequently. Karl and Jasmine - along with their one-year-old daughter, Harper - divide their time between Sydney and Queensland. The couple married in December 2018 in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. She's known for playing the iconic EastEnder's character Janine Butcher. And Charlie Brooks looked ready to return to Albert Square as she stepped out with pages of the soap's script in her arms on Sunday. The actress, 40, went make-up free while leaving her hotel in London after spending three days in an isolation bubble ahead of shooting. Exciting: Charlie Brooks looked ready to return to Albert Square as she stepped out with pages of the soap's script in her arms on Sunday Charlie cut a casual figure in a baby pink linen shirt that she'd French tucked into a pair of black cuffed trousers. She strode towards her car in comfortable black Birkenstock sandals ahead of filming on the EastEnders' set. She accessorised with a chic gold pendant necklace and let her hair fall naturally. The actress, who departed EastEnders in 2014, is set for a rollercoaster comeback, with bosses hinting she'll take centre stage in the 'biggest storyline of the year'. Heading to the studio: The actress, 40, showcased her natural beauty as she went makeup free while leaving her hotel in London after spending three days in an isolation bubble Announcing the news, the bosses assured fans of the show that 'drama and scandal' are never far behind Janine, and she'll make a stormy return to the soap in the coming months. Speaking about returning to the role, actress Charlie said: 'I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janines shoes and returning to The Square. 'The time feels right and I cant wait to find out what shes been up to for the last seven years! She is and always has been SO much fun to play. Laidback: Charlie cut a casual figure in a baby pink linen shirt that she'd French tucked into a pair of black cuffed trousers 'Feels a bit like coming home. Its good to be back.' Jon Sen, executive producer for EastEnders, added: 'Janine is one of EastEnders most iconic characters who is loved, and often despised, in equal measure by viewers and all those in Walford. 'Charlies portrayal of Janine over the years has created some of EastEnders most memorable moments and we are all really excited to see Charlie bring her incredible portrayal of Janine back again.' Comeback: She accessorised with a chic gold pendant necklace and let her hair fall naturally in small curls as she left isolation to film Appearing to provide a hint for fans about future story lines, he continued: 'We have lots of drama in store for Janine, in fact it may be wise for some of the residents of Walford to invest in some slip on shoes' Viewers were quick to comment about their excitement for her return, with one writing: 'SHE IS COMING TO SAVE 2021.' Another said: 'Omg we NEED Janine. The best character ever!. One remarked: 'yesss!!!! weve been waiting for this announcement. im so excited for her to come back.' 'Feels a bit like coming home. Its good to be back': The actress departed EastEnders in 2014 and is set for a rollercoaster comeback with the 'biggest storyline of the year' Of her iconic character, Charlie added: 'She's good fun, I love Janine. I always wonder what she's been up to. I think it's really important to sympathise with your characters and for me, she became so layered. 'I honestly believe she's completely misunderstood in so many ways, although she does get more and more difficult to defend. But that is where all the juicy stuff is.' Plot details of her return are not yet known, but Janine has been involved in her fair share of drama during her time on the soap, which first began in 1999. Most notably, Janine married Barry Evans played by Shaun Williamson for his money before pushing him off a cliff. She's vying for farmer Andrew Guthrie's affections on Farmer Wants A Wife. And speaking to The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday, Rachael Smith revealed what she looks for in a man and what she won't settle for. The 30-year-old social worker from the New South Wales' Central Coast said that while she doesn't have a physical type, they need to be able 'to get their hands dirty'. Honest: Farmer Wants A Wife star Rachael Smith (pictured), 30, told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday that she's attracted to 'together, funny, and men who like to get their hands dirty'. She also doesn't want to end up with someone she 'cant fart in front of' 'I'm attracted to together, funny, and men who like to get their hands dirty,' she said. 'The thing that remains the same though is that I often look for someone grubbier than me because I'm pretty grubby. 'I don't want to end up with someone I can't fart in front of,' Rachael continued. The blonde bombshell is one of five contestants farmer Andrew chose to enjoy one-on-one time with, as he searches for the ultimate woman to settle down with. The chosen five: The blonde bombshell who hails from New South Wales' Central Coast is one of five contestants farmer Andrew Guthrie (pictured) chose to enjoy one-on-one time with, as he searches for the ultimate woman to settle down with Farmer Wants a Wife is considered to be one of the most successful reality dating shows, generating nine marriages, one long-term relationship and 23 babies. Alongside Andrew, the other farmers searching for love are Will Dwyer, Matt Trewin, Sam Messina and Rob Campbell. Natalie Gruzlewski has returned as host, and previously told Seven's The Morning Show that more than one farmer will find love this season. Meet the farmers: Alongside Andrew, the other farmers searching for love are Will Dwyer (second left), Matt Trewin (second right), Sam Messina (far right) and Rob Campbell (far left) 'There is so much romance on the land this year,' the 44-year-old gushed. 'I'm not gonna give too much away, but more than one farmer does find love,' she added. 'And it's a bit of a bumpy road ahead, but loads of romance this year.' Farmer Wants A Wife continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven He entered the Love Island villa on Thursday night and caused a stir as several of the islanders already know him. And Oliver 'Chuggs' Wallis has already had a brush with fame in the past as he previously had a small stint on E4's Made In Chelsea in 2019. The entrepreneur, 23, was spotted in an unearthed snap from the reality series where he can be seen taking part in a speed dating scene. Cameo: Oliver 'Chuggs' Wallis has already had a brush with fame in the past as he previously had a small stint on E4's Made In Chelsea in 2019 Chuggs sported a blue shirt with a name tag while he appeared to be smiling bashfully in the shot as he chats to a female whose back is to the camera. The shot was uploaded to Twitter with the caption: 'So Chuggs was on Made In Chelsea speed dating in 2019!' MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment. It comes after it emerged that Chuggs and fellow islander Hugo Hammond reportedly were love rivals at university and competed for the same girl. Limelight: The entrepreneur, 23, was spotted in an unearthed snap from the reality series where he can be seen taking part in a speed dating scene The PE teacher, 22, and the entrepreneur both attended Oxford Brookes university where Hugo allegedly considered himself a 'BNOC' Big Name On Campus. A source told The Sun on Friday: 'I think they were both interested in the same girl and went head to head on trying to date her.' Hugo seemed worried when Shannon Gaffka read a text revealing Chuggs would be joining him in the villa on Thursday. 'I know Chuggs,' he admitted as he clasped his neck with a nervous expression on his face. Appearance: The shot was uploaded to Twitter with the caption: 'So Chuggs was on Made In Chelsea speed dating in 2019!' The insider revealed: 'Hugo and Chuggs knew each other through sport at uni - I think they were both interested in the same girl and went head to head on trying to date her. 'That's why Hugo was so nervous in the villa - it's like history repeating itself,' they added. Well known in the villa, Chloe Burrows also claimed she'd encountered Chuggs before but didn't explain how. The blonde bombshell is from Bicester - half an hour outside of Oxford - so is likely to have encountered him while living at home. Eviction: Despite his popularity amongst the other contestants, Chuggs was left solo in last night's re-coupling and now faces being evicted from the villa Despite his popularity amongst the other contestants, Chuggs was left solo in last night's re-coupling and now faces being evicted from the villa. It came after Chloe opted to form a couple with Hugo after citing his loyalty and kindness as the main reasons she wanted to pick him. Chuggs and the other single contestant Brad will now have to work hard to impress the latest Islander Rachel, 29, in order to keep their place in the villa. After the recoupling, they received a text saying that incoming islander Rachel would be picking from one of them in just 24 hours, with the one not chosen being sent home. Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox. Bombshell: Chuggs and the other single contestant Brad will now have to work hard to impress the latest Islander Rachel, 29, in order to keep their place in the villa Molly-Mae Hague splashed out on a no-expenses-spared hen do for her mother Debbie in London this weekend. The Love Island star star, 22, checked into the posh 1,300-per-night Corinthia Hotel with her sister Zoe, Debbie and the bridal party on Saturday. Molly-Mae kept her 5.6million Instagram followers up to date with their trip, sharing a video of the view from the window and the spacious suite. Surprise!: Molly-Mae Hague splashed out on a no-expenses-spared hen do for her mother Debbie in London this weekend The large room was decked out with balloons, including a gold set which spelled out the word 'Bride'. Several bottles of champagne were in chilled ice buckets and large cake was placed on the table. Molly-Mae captioned the image: 'Little surprise hen night.' She added: 'Only the best for mother,' along with a bride emoji ahead of her parent's wedding. Hen night: The Love Island star star, 22, checked into the posh 1,300-per-night Corinthia Hotel with her sister Zoe, Debbie and the bridal party on Saturday Exciting! The star's mother Debbie Gordon got engaged to her partner Jon Rayner while Molly-Mae was on Love Island back in 2019 (pictured) Ready for bed? Molly-Mae shared a picture of the spacious bed on her Instagram page, telling her fans she had planned a surprise weekend for her mother Weekend away: Molly-Mae shared a mirror selfie from inside the luxurious bathroom Wow: Molly-Mae kept her 5.6million Instagram followers up to date with their trip, sharing a video of the view from the window and the spacious suite The television personality had organised the delivery of the strawberry-topped sponge cake with pink icing. The delectable treat was covered in shards of white chocolate and had the words 'Bride-to-be' written out on the plate in chocolate. The group stepped out for the evening to the exclusive Novikov Restaurant and Bar in Mayfair. What a treat: The television personality had organised the delivery of the strawberry-topped sponge cake with pink icing with Bride-to-be written on the cake stand in chocolate Molly-Mae shared a picture of the menu and her surroundings on Instagram ahead of their meal. The star's mother Debbie Gordon got engaged to her partner Jon Rayner while Molly-Mae was on Love Island back in 2019. And the reality star may soon be a bride herself after her boyfriend Tommy Fury, who she met on the show, said he is considering proposing to her sometime soon. Out for the night: The group stepped out for the evening to the exclusive Novikov Restaurant and Bar in Mayfair, with Molly sharing a picture of the menu on social media Living the high life: The reality star posted a picture of the surrounding tables at the restaurant and bar located in London's Mayfair The 22-year-old suggested he was open to taking their relationship to the next level during a recent Instagram Q&A with fans. He was quizzed by his followers on when he would be purchasing an engagement ring for Molly, to which he responded: 'Pretty soon.' He wrote: 'Im not the person to ask that question to. 'I would like sooner rather than later but maybe you should go and ask that to the Mrs.' Next level? Molly-Mae may soon be a bride herself after her boyfriend Tommy Fury, who she met on Love Island in 2019, said he is considering proposing to her sometime soon Tommy and Molly moved in with each other soon after meeting on Love Island in 2019. And while she may not yet have had an engagement ring from her man, he didn't buy her an extravagant gift for her 23rd birthday in May. The boxer gave her a 3,850 Alhambra gold and malachite Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet. Thanking him on social media at the time, she wrote: 'I love you @tommyfury.' She is a billionaire business woman as well as a Hollywood movie star. But Jessica Alba is also a devoted family woman, and was seen out with her brood on Saturday for a casual dinner at Taverna Tony's in Malibu, California. The 40-year-old actress was joined by husband Cash Warren and their children, daughters Honor Marie, 13, Haven Garner, nine, and three-year-old son Hayes. Family outing! Jessica Alba steps out with husband Cash Warren and their children, daughters Honor Marie, 13, Haven Garner, nine, and three-year-old son Hayes For the outing, the star cut a casual figure and placed emphasis on her stunning natural beauty going makeup free for the occasion. Alba was outfitted in a patterned green dress that draped over a majority of her shapely physique during the family outing. The Sin City performer added an element of bright color to her clothing ensemble with a light blue denim jacket and carried an orange flannel in case the weather unexpectedly dropped on her. Causal: For the outing, the star cut a casual figure and placed emphasis on her stunning natural beauty going makeup free for the occasion Devoted mama: Jessica carries her kids' bags as they make their way to dinner Her striking brunette hair cascaded onto her shoulders and backside and contrasted well with the light tone of her outerwear, and she sported a pair of white sandals. The actress also wore two silver necklaces that added an element of shine to her ensemble and carried a light brown bag with her as she entered the restaurant. The actress and her spouse initially met when she was working on the 2004 superhero feature Fantastic Four, where her now-spouse was serving as an assistant. Before she became involved with her future husband, the performer was engaged to her Dark Angel co-star, Michael Weatherly, for a period of time, although they broke things off in 2003. Color coordination: The Sin City performer contrasted a light green printed dress with a bright blue denim jacket as she arrived at the eatery Alba and Warren dated for three years before they announced that they were planning to marry in late 2007. The pair later made their union official during a low-key ceremony that was held at a courthouse in Beverly Hills the following year. The couple welcomed their first daughter that June and waited until 2011 and 2017, respectively, to add their other two kids to their lives. Alba spoke about how she largely stepped away from acting after the birth of her first daughter during an interview with Romper and noted that she did not feel the same about her profession upon becoming a parent. 'Frankly, I was at the top of my career...I couldn't go back to what I was doing before and be authentic. I just couldn't. I didn't care about it the same way,' she said. Happy couple: Alba shares three children named Honor Marie, Haven Garner and Hayes with her longtime husband, Cash Warren; the two are seen in 2020 Going deep: During an interview, Alba spoke about how she largely stepped away from her acting career after the birth of her first child; they are seen in 2019 The performer went on to note that her family has been greatly affected by the ongoing state of the pandemic and that she has been especially conscious of her kids' feelings over the past year. 'it's all been really heavy...Your children's reality is really going to be dependent on your outlook and how you approach it in all this madness,' she expressed. Alba concluded by speaking about how her family inspired her to take on more entrepreneurial ventures, as she wanted to bring a bit of good into the world after having children. 'It was something bigger. I felt like if I was going to have this platform, then what can I do with it that could be meaningful and make a difference? That just felt so real when I became a mom for the first time,' she recalled. She is known for being one of the world's top young supermodels. On Sunday, Bella Hadid displayed her show-stopping physique, as she sashayed out of her hotel in Paris, France, looking ready for the runway. The model, 24, turned heads in a cut-off hooded jacket, graphic print trousers and a Vivienne Westwood belt. Ready for the runway: Bella Hadid shows off her VERY trim and toned waist as she makes a stylish exit out of hotel in Paris on Sunday Keeping it casual yet stylish, the star looked every inch the off-duty model as she was spotted out from where she is staying. She has been living it up in the capital for the past week, heading out to dinner with friends and appearing on the catwalk. On Wednesday, she walked on the runway at the Jacquemus-Collection Fall 2021 Ready to Wear show alongside Kendall Jenner. Ensuring all eyes would be on them, the stunning supermodels commanded attention at the show, which was held at the La Cite Du Cinema. Wow factor: The model, 24, turned heads in a cut-off hooded jacket, graphic print trousers and a Vivienne Westwood belt It comes as Bella and her sister Gigi, whose father Mohamed is a Palestinian born in Nazareth, waded controversially into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last month. Bella was accused of antisemitism after posting cartoons denouncing Israel, which she has since deleted from her Instagram. The post, which Gigi liked, argued that Israel was 'not a country' and accused the Jewish State of 'ethnic cleansing, military occupation and apartheid.' In her stride: She is known for being one of the world's top young supermodels, but Bella kept her style casual on Sunday Bella preempted allegations of bigotry by posting a clip of Bernie Sanders arguing: 'It is not anti-Semitic to be critical of a right-wing government in Israel.' 'Hate from either side is not okay - I do not condone it!!' wrote Bella. 'I will not stand to hear people talk badly about Jewish people through all of this.' Gigi also wrote on her Instagram: 'One cannot advocate for racial equality, LGBT & women's rights, condemn corrupt and abusive regimes and other injustices yet choose to ignore the Palestinian oppression. It does not add up... 'You cannot pick and choose whose human rights matter more.' Bella also found herself in hot water when she went Live on Instagram from a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City. She filmed herself chanting the popular Palestinian slogan: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!' along with other protestors. The State Of Israel directly condemned her on its official Twitter account writing: 'When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State.' Chloe Green and her mother Lady Tina enjoyed some quality family time as they had a day out on a yacht in Saint-Tropez on Sunday. The heiress, 30, and her mother, 71, appeared in good spirits as they soaked up the sun in the glitzy French Riviera. Chloe donned a white T-shirt for the outing along with a pair of sunglasses while she let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders. Fun in the sun: Chloe Green and her mother Lady Tina enjoyed some quality family time as they had a day out on a yacht in Saint-Tropez on Sunday Lady Tina, who is married to former TopShop boss Sir Philip Green, 69, cut a glamorous figure in a long-sleeved multi-coloured dress with an animal print. Also sporting an eye-catching diamond necklace, she added to her outfit with a pair of sunglasses. Lady Tina was all smiles for the day and out and was seen laughing and waving during the pair's boat trip. Chloe's dad Philip's Arcadia Group went into administration late last year, after unsuccessfully seeking a 30 million cash injection to help it survive lockdown. Trip: The heiress, 30, and her mother, 71, soaked up the sun in the glitzy French Riviera Outfit: Chloe donned a white T-shirt for the outing along with a pair of sunglasses while she let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders The former owner of brands including Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Burtons asked lenders for support after lockdown restrictions hammered sales, disrupting crucial trading up to Christmas. Arcadia, which employed 15,000 people, was in trouble even before the coronavirus crisis. It recorded an operating loss of 138 million on turnover of 1.8 billion in 2018. Back in 2019, Arcadia carried out an insolvency procedure known as a company voluntary arrangement to cut rents and close some shops. Philip enjoyed almost two decades of ruling the high street after lucrative takeovers of BHS in 2000 and Arcadia in 2002. Style: Lady Tina, who is married to former TopShop boss Sir Philip Green, 69, cut a glamorous figure in a long-sleeved multi-coloured dress with an animal print Sunny: Lady Tina was all smiles for the day and out and was seen laughing and waving during the pair's boat trip Business: Philip's Arcadia Group went into administration late last year, after unsuccessfully seeking a 30 million cash injection to help it survive lockdown Tina and Philip's daughter Chloe shares son Jayden, three, with her ex, Jeremy Meeks, 37. Last summer, it emerged that Chloe had embarked on a romance with Italian yacht broker Manuele Thiella, 35. A source said: 'Chloe has known Manuele for months and they have always been very close friends. They have a lot in common; they're both parents and are from similar worlds, Chloe is very happy with him. He's very much been accepted into her family.' Chloe split from ex-fiance Jeremy, 37, nicknamed Hot Felon, in June 2019, following a two-year romance. Loss: Arcadia, which employed 15,000 people, was in trouble even before the coronavirus crisis. It recorded an operating loss of 138 million on turnover of 1.8 billion in 2018 Insolvency: Back in 2019, Arcadia carried out an insolvency procedure known as a company voluntary arrangement to cut rents and close some shops Success: Philip enjoyed almost two decades of ruling the high street after lucrative takeovers of BHS in 2000 and Arcadia in 2002 Family: Tina and Philip's daughter Chloe shares son Jayden, three, with her ex, Jeremy Meeks, 37 Chloe's boyfriend Manuele has a daughter from a previous relationship with a former partner. In a Facebook post that shows Manuele with his young daughter, he comments: 'The only woman I will love forever.' After her split from 'hot felon' Jeremy, Chloe briefly dated Italian polo captain Rommy Gianni, who she was also spotted kissing on board her dad's super yacht. Chloe was photographed in Sardina with Rommy back in August 2019 just two months after reports of her split from Jeremy. Strictly Come Dancing hunk Giovanni Pernice has told pals how hes smitten with Love Island beauty Maura Higgins with the lovebirds getting close 'very quickly'. The pair were pictured for the first time enjoying a night out in a drag bar last week in Blackpool where the Italian dancer is performing in a new show. MailOnline can reveal that Giovanni and Maura, both 30, have spent several nights at a hotel in the bucket and spade resort. Spotted: New couple Giovanni Pernice and Maura Higgins were seen for the first time together since new of their romance broke, as they spent time in Blackpool earlier in the week And hes introduced her to the cast and crew of the Him And Me show hes starring in with new Strictly judge, Anton Du Beke. A source said: 'Gio and Maura are very much a couple. Everyone know hes played the field in the past but he is serious about Maura. Hes smitten with her, theyve become close really quickly and are spending a lot of time together in Blackpool. 'Shes become pals with all of the cast and crew of Him and Me too and they think shes great. Maura has also met Anton and they got on brilliantly.' The pair went public with their love for the first time last week at Sapphires, Blackpool's Premier Drag Cabaret Show Bar. Moving fast: Maura and her new beau are said to have become close 'very quickly' since dating Italian hunk Giovanni, who was last year paired with Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh on Strictly, treated Maura to some of the legendary dance skills. An onlooker who saw them in Blackpool on Thursday night said: They turned up with a large group of friends. Theyd booked a VIP area of the venue to themselves and everyone was having a good time, dancing and singing. 'Maura and Giovanni joined in. They had clearly bubbled together as they were together all night and looked totally smitten with each other. 'They spent about an hour away from the group playing pool. At one point they appeared to be having a bit of a row but it couldnt have been that serious because they left together and looked very much like a couple. Reports last week claimed Giovanni was in the early stages of a relationship with Maura, who split from fellow Love Island star Chris Taylor, 30, earlier this year. New romance: The Love Island star was spotted at Blackpool's Opera House where Giovanni and his Strictly co-star Anton Du Beke performed the first night of their dance show, Him & Me On Tuesday, the reality beauty reportedly kissed Giovanni and wished him good luck ahead of his performance with Anton in their Him and Me show, which is drawing in crowds at the Blackpool Opera House. During its run, Giovanni and new Strictly judge Anton are staying at Blackpool's The Big Blue Hotel - which is close to where the pair enjoyed their night out last week. Maura and Giovanni first sparked rumours they were an item after sharing very similar photos from inside Wembley Stadium last month. They posted Instagram snaps with the same view while watching Italy vs Austria in the Euros on June 26. She is said to be taking her romance with the Strictly Come Dancing star - who has previously dated Ashley Roberts and Georgia May Foote - 'slowly' because she's 'worried he could be a player'. 'She loved seeing him in action': Maura supported boyfriend Giovanni in Blackpool at the opening night of his new show before staying with the Strictly hunk at a hotel But a source who spotted them last week added: 'Maura shouldnt worry too much - he looked totally head over heels with her and who can blame him. Shes stunning.' Maura and Giovanni were also seen enjoying a staycation together in Cornwall last month, though they have attempted to keep their blossoming romance under wraps for as long as possible. MailOnline contacted Maura and Giovanni's representatives for comment. Following Thursday night's show, Giovanni said on Instagram: 'Opening night and I couldn't be more proud of this production. Anton Du Beke and I are super ready for you UK.' One shocked fan of Maura's tweeted about meeting the star in Blackpool on Friday, writing online: 'Why the duck have I met Maura Higgins in BLACKPOOL.' 'It's a mood': Model Laura Stanford shared a picture on Instagram of Maura in Blackpool on Friday, as the two enjoyed the food and attractions that the Pleasure Beach has to offer Back on stage: Following Thursday's show, Giovanni said on Instagram, 'Opening night and I couldn't be more proud of this production. Anton Du Beke and I are super ready for you UK' While the pair is yet to publicly acknowledge their romance, Maura and Giovanni do follow each other on Instagram and the dancer has been showing his affection for the ex-Islander by liking her pictures. Maura's ex-boyfriend Chris, who she split from in May, hasn't posted on social media since the news broke of her new relationship with Giovanni. Giovanni's ex-girlfriends include Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, TOWIE's Jess Wright and soap actress Georgia May Foote, while Maura fell for ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard on Love Island in 2019. Curtis' brother AJ will know Giovanni well after starring with him on Strictly for years, before he left the BBC series in 2020. Last year, while performing with his celeb partner Ranvir, the pair were rumoured to have grown close due to their chemistry, which was noted by the Strictly judges. Giovanni started dating Georgia after they were paired together on Strictly, while his ex-Ashley also competed on the series prior them becoming a couple. Advertisement It was all about the electric blue for Bella Hadid on the Off-White runway on Sunday. Walking for the brand's fashion show in Paris, the model, 24, stunned in a tiny electric blue mini-dress and knee-high PVC boots. Turning heads as she stormed the catwalk, the model showed off her pins in the skimpy velvet number, which hugged her supermodel frame with its boob-tube style design. Electrifying: It was all about the electric blue for Bella Hadid on the Off-White runway on Sunday She accompanied the look with chunky gold earrings and a matching choker, displaying a neutral wash of make-up, nude lipstick and a white manicure. She wore her raven locks in sleek lines around her bare shoulders. Bella then switched into a matching floor-length ensemble in the same colour and fabric. Also off-shoulder, the gown tumbled thickly down her body and flashed her boots as she marched along the platform. Kicking things off: She started in a tiny electric blue mini-dress and knee-high PVC boots Flawless: She showcased a creamy bronzed look to her complexion for the runway Legs 11: The supermodel's endless pins certainly stole the show in the first of her two looks Turning heads: She stormed the catwalk and showed off her pins in the skimpy velvet number, which hugged her supermodel frame with its boob-tube style design. Bella then switched into a matching floor-length ensemble in the same colour and fabric Slick: She wore her raven locks in sleek lines around her bare shoulders Those in the seats watched on with admiration for the classic look. The gown swept along behind her as she left the runway, when she joined Creative Director Virgil Abloh, Joan Smalls and Amber Valletta for a post-show chat. Joan looked fabulous in a loud burnt orange number that flashed her lithe pins. She teamed this with black orange heels and featured the same intricate detailing as Bella's second look. Details: She accompanied the look with chunky gold earrings and a matching choker, displaying a neutral wash of make-up, nude lipstick and a white manicure Watching on: Those in the seats watched on with admiration for the classic look Trail-blazer: The gown swept along behind her as she left the runway Creative Director: Virgil Abloh shared a post-show laugh with models Bella and Joan Smalls Bella sashayed out of her hotel in Paris in a cut-off hooded jacket, graphic print trousers and a Vivienne Westwood belt earlier in the day. Keeping it casual yet stylish, the star looked every inch the off-duty model as she was spotted out from where she is staying. She has been living it up in the capital for the past week, heading out to dinner with friends and appearing on the catwalk. On Wednesday, she walked on the runway at the Jacquemus-Collection Fall 2021 Ready to Wear show alongside Kendall Jenner. What about Joan: Joan looked fabulous in a loud burnt orange number that flashed her lithe pins Chatter: Joan's look was teamed with black orange heels and featured the same intricate detailing as Bella's second look Line up: Models Joan and Bella also chatted to Amber Valletta Debrief: Bella changed into a semi-sheer grey minidress and black leather heeled boots for after the show Ensuring all eyes would be on them, the stunning supermodels commanded attention at the show, which was held at the La Cite Du Cinema. It comes as Bella and her sister Gigi, whose father Mohamed is a Palestinian born in Nazareth, waded controversially into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last month. Bella was accused of antisemitism after posting cartoons denouncing Israel, which she has since deleted from her Instagram. The post, which Gigi liked, argued that Israel was 'not a country' and accused the Jewish State of 'ethnic cleansing, military occupation and apartheid.' Bella preempted allegations of bigotry by posting a clip of Bernie Sanders arguing: 'It is not anti-Semitic to be critical of a right-wing government in Israel.' Cat-walking: [L-R] Amalia Vairelli, Amber Valletta, and Georgina Grenville on the runway Quirky: There was an array of interesting looks storming the runway for the fashion show on Sunday Ready for the runway: Bella sashayed out of her hotel in Paris in a cut-off hooded jacket, graphic print trousers and a Vivienne Westwood belt earlier in the day 'Hate from either side is not okay - I do not condone it!!' wrote Bella. 'I will not stand to hear people talk badly about Jewish people through all of this.' Gigi also wrote on her Instagram: 'One cannot advocate for racial equality, LGBT & women's rights, condemn corrupt and abusive regimes and other injustices yet choose to ignore the Palestinian oppression. It does not add up... 'You cannot pick and choose whose human rights matter more.' Wow factor: The model turned heads in a cut-off hooded jacket, graphic print trousers and a Vivienne Westwood belt In her stride: She is known for being one of the world's top young supermodels, but Bella kept her style casual on Sunday Bella also found herself in hot water when she went Live on Instagram from a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City. She filmed herself chanting the popular Palestinian slogan: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!' along with other protestors. The State Of Israel directly condemned her on its official Twitter account writing: 'When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State.' Katie Price has revealed she feared she would 'die' after her latest round of cosmetic surgery in Turkey. The former glamour model, 43, has confessed she felt like a 'monster out of a horror movie' after waking up with 'holes and stitches' all over her body. Last month, the mother-of-five had a Brazilian bum lift as well as lifts on her lips and eyes to achieve a cat-eye look, in addition to full body liposuction. Worries: Katie Price has revealed that she feared she would 'die' after her latest round of cosmetic surgery in Turkey (pictured on Steph's Packed Lunch in June) Reflecting on her surgery, Katie told The Sun: 'Honestly, I've gone to hell and back, it was horrific - "Oh my God I look like a monster out of a horror movie". 'I just thought, "This is it, I'm going to die". I was terrified of looking like a freak. 'I've woken up with holes and stitches all over my body. I look like I've got cat's whiskers coming out of my nose and eyes. But I just want the old Katie back!' Katie told how she wanted surgery as she feared she'd 'let herself go' in lockdown and put on weight after not being able to exercise because of her broken feet. Shocking: The former glamour model, 43, confessed she felt like a 'monster' after waking up with 'holes and stitches' all over her body (pictured after breaking both her feet last year) However Katie stressed that she wants fans to know she's not gone under the knife because she's unhappy, explaining she's never been happier now she's in a loving relationship with beau Carl Woods, but because she 'wants the old me back'. Detailing how her fiance Carl reacted to seeing her post-surgery, the mother-of-five admitted he was 'upset' and thought it was the 'worst thing he'd ever seen'. She continued to the publication that Carl thought it was like 'watching a piece of meat being carved up' and that he warned her against having a blood transfusion. Doctors had wanted to give Katie a transfusion as she lost lots of blood, however her husband-to-be was concerned about any Covid risks. And although being scared about her appearance straight after the procedure, Katie continued that she's 'loving' her recovery and is 'feeling like the old Katie' again. The struggle: Katie gained two stone in lockdown after injuring her feet and being unable to workout or stay fit It comes after it was reported that Katie was in 'horrendous pain' after being left 'very swollen and bruised' following her major cosmetic procedure. Explaining what Katie has had done, the source told The Sun: 'Katie is in horrendous pain after undergoing a BBL [Brazilian Butt Lift] where they put fat into your bum, '[An] eye lift to give her a slight cat eye look, lip lift for a fuller pout, liposuction on her thighs and legs, under her rib cage and back, and scarring from her previous facelift fixed.' They also claimed that the mother-of-five had to spend days with her legs in the air as she was very swollen post surgery. MailOnline has contacted Katie's representatives for further comment. Proposal: Katie got engaged for the eighth time after her boyfriend Carl proposed earlier this month following a whirlwind 10-month romance (pictured in February) Pictures obtained by the publication show Katie bandaged up and resting in her hospital bed, with the TV personality's face looking very swollen and bruised. And another image showed her standing up in a bathroom with a catheter and tubes attached and her face in a support. Katie is thought to have underwent full body liposuction at the Comfort Zone Clinic in Turkey after she gained two stone in lockdown. Last summer, she suffered a freak incident in which she broke both her feet, leaving her unable to exercise and causing the weight gain. After spending a couple of days recovering from her liposuction, she and Carl jetted from Turkey to Spain to enjoy some downtime at a villa in Malaga. Carl shared clips of a pool and stunning views surrounding the pad to Instagram after their arrival, giving a glimpse of their plush accommodation. Two loungers could also be seen by a spacious swimming pool, while the white villa and extra seating sat further back. Multiple cosmetic procedures: The TV star previously unveiled her filed-down teeth before having her bright white veneers replaced Katie Price's Surgery: A Timeline Before: Katie has been going under the knife for 21 years (above in 1998) 1998 - Katie underwent a breast augmentation taking her from a natural B cup to a C cup. She also had her first liposuction 1999 - Katie had two more boob jobs in the same year, one taking her from a C cup to a D cup, and then up to an F cup 2006 - Katie went under the knife to take her breasts up to a G cup 2007 - Katie had a rhinoplasty and veneers on her teeth 2008 - Katie stunned fans by reducing her breasts from an F cup to a C cup 2011 - Going back to an F cup, Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers 2014/5 - Following a nasty infection, Katie had her breast implants removed 2016 - Opting for bigger breasts yet again, Katie had another set of implants, along with implants, Botox and lip fillers 2017 - After a disastrous 'threading' facelift, Katie also had her veneers replaced. She also had her eighth boob job taking her to a GG cup 2018 - Katie went under the knife yet again for a facelift 2019 - After jetting to Turkey, Katie had a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift and a tummy tuck 2020 - Katie has her 12th boob job in Belgium to correct botched surgery 2021 - In a complete body overhaul, she opts for eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, fat injected into her bum and full body liposuction Advertisement Spain is on the UK government's amber list - meaning travellers returning to the UK can isolate at home - while Turkey is on the red list requiring hotel quarantine. A source told The Sun: 'Katie can avoid having to pay for a quarantine hotel if she returns to the UK from an amber list country and quarantine at home instead.' While a spokesperson for Katie told the MailOnline: 'This is a planned stop gap before returning to the UK.' Spain, including the Balearics and Canary Islands, is currently on UK's amber list, meaning those returning to Britain must quarantine for 10 days - however this can be done at home. The government also requires that travellers take a Covid test on or before day two and on or after day eight. It may be possible to end quarantine early if a private Covid test through the Test to Release scheme is paid for. Whereas people who have been in a red list country in the 10 days before their return to the UK must quarantine in a hotel - at a cost of 1,750 - for 10 full days. Turkey is on the red list of countries, which the government says are at the highest risk from Covid, and should not be visited 'except in the most extreme of circumstances'. New pad: The couple are now thought to be staying at a luxury villa (pictured) in Spain after flying in from Turkey, with Carl sharing clips of a pool and stunning views surrounding the pad Katie previously shared a behind-the-scenes video from a new photoshoot and confirmed she had chosen Mono Cosmetic Surgery for upcoming procedures. She wrote alongside the clip: 'Here I am today on my @jyylondon clothing shoot but I have to say I'm not happy with how I look at the moment so I'm really excited for when I go to @monocosmeticsurgery to change what I'm not happy with. 'I can't wait to show before and after and I'll be filming everything for my youtube channel too to show the whole journey. And guess what ... someone you know is coming too to have something done.' Speaking on Steph's Packed Lunch earlier this year, Katie confessed: 'I have tried so much to lose weight, obviously we want a baby and we're doing IVF. I just want to shift some weight before we do it so I am going to have surgery.' After Steph insisted: 'But, you're not big!' Katie responded: 'For me I am. I'm normally 54kg [8.5stone] and now I'm about 68kg [10.7stone] and that is a lot for me. 'I notice it in my clothes and just for myself, I'm just going to have to do it quick, just get it sucked out.' Katie also revealed that she's getting fat dissolving treatment in a bid to make her bum smaller after admitting that she 'hates it!' The mother-of-five made the declaration as she underwent a body MOT, which included two colonic irrigations and fat dissolving treatment on her stomach. Showing off her posterior in skintight black leggings, Katie told how that her bottom is next on the list for treatment as she declared: 'I hate it, I want it smaller!' The former Loose Women star underwent a Brazilian Bum Lift two years ago, amid her multiple cosmetic surgeries that had left her bed bound. Katie had jetted to Turkey in April 2019 where, in addition to the BBL, she also had liposuction, a tummy tuck, a facelift, an eye lift and an eyelid lift. And in March Katie revealed she'd had her 12th boob job, after vowing in 2018 she'll never have surgery on her face again following a botched procedure. A few days after blasting trolls who called her 'too skinny,' Rumer Willis put her 5ft6in bikini body on display while vacationing on a luxurious yacht in Greece. The 32-year-old triple threat donned an array of swimwear during her lavish trip, which she hinted was bankrolled by her famous mother Demi Moore. Rumer - who boasts 1.1M Instagram/Twitter followers - captioned one snap: 'Mom's Red Bull always trying to steal my thunder.' Living her best life: A few days after blasting trolls who called her 'too skinny,' Rumer Willis put her 5ft6in bikini body on display while vacationing on a luxurious yacht in Greece Willis - wearing a $232 Vanessa Sposi 'One Shoulder- swimsuit - also posted a video montage of enviable moments, like diving off the vessel, from her holiday dubbed 'paradise.' Ever the influencer, the Kentucky-born, Idaho-raised millennial made sure to tag all the fashion credits for her looks including an All You Need Is Love headband, a Bayou With Love necklace, and a Naked Wardrobe bikini. Rumer later showcased substantial cleavage with a Lili Claspe body chain beneath a black gown for a night out with the 58-year-old Emmy nominee. Willis captioned a poolside back view of her spaghetti-strapped dress: 'Going dancing!' Spinning around: The 32-year-old triple threat donned an array of swimwear during her lavish trip, which she hinted was bankrolled by her famous mother Demi Moore Rumer - who boasts 1.1M Instagram/Twitter followers - captioned one snap: 'Mom's Red Bull always trying to steal my thunder' 'Paradise': Willis - wearing a $232 Vanessa Sposi 'One Shoulder- swimsuit - also posted a video montage of enviable moments, like diving off the vessel, from her holiday Influencer: The Kentucky-born, Idaho-raised millennial made sure to tag all the fashion credits for her looks including an All You Need Is Love headband, a Bayou With Love necklace, and a Naked Wardrobe bikini Glam: Rumer later showcased substantial cleavage with a Lili Claspe body chain beneath a black gown for a night out with the 58-year-old Emmy nominee Willis captioned a poolside back view of her spaghetti-strapped dress: 'Going dancing!' The nepotistically-privileged socialite's bikini bonanza was a defiant response to body shamers critiquing her appearance online. 'After the barrage of inappropriate comments left on my pic I posted yesterday I was left really bummed cause I was really enjoying the silly pics I took,' Rumer wrote on June 29. 'It was a weird angle that even made me feel like I looked smaller than I do. But regardless even though you may think it's your job or even your right to leave your unfiltered thoughts and judgements about my body for me and others to read, it's not. But for reference this is another angle and you can see what I actually look like.' 'I was left really bummed': The nepotistically-privileged socialite's bikini bonanza was a defiant response to body shamers critiquing her appearance online Rumer wrote on June 29: 'Even though you may think it's your job or even your right to leave your unfiltered thoughts and judgements about my body for me and others to read, it's not...Body shaming of any kind if something I will not stand for' Willis continued: 'Also just to give clarity if I was really struggling with any kind of food issues (which I'm gratefully not) coming for me in my comments and telling me how I'm too skinny or I need to eat is absolutely not helpful and extremely body shaming. 'If you were actually concerned for my health [and] welfare or anyone you think may be actually struggling send them a DM and have a private conversation and really ask how they are doing and if they would like support instead of posting inflammatory public comments. Body shaming of any kind if something I will not stand for.' The Talk guest co-host's last gig was singing Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch Me in the Rocky Horror Picture Show Livestream, which raised $775K for Wisconsin Democrats on Halloween. Raised $775K for Wisconsin Democrats! Willis' last acting gig was singing Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch-a-Touch Me in the Rocky Horror Picture Show Livestream on Halloween 'What's Next?' Last year, The Talk sometime co-host guest-starred in Fox's 9-1-1 as musician Georgia who is injured in a derailed train in the May 11th episode Last year, Rumer guest-starred in Fox's 9-1-1 as musician Georgia who is injured in a derailed train in the May 11th episode - titled 'What's Next?' But Willis is best known as the DWTS 2015 Mirrorball champ as well as the daughter of Demi and her ex-husband #2 Bruce Willis. The USC drop-out first found fame acting in six of her parents' projects - Now and Then (1995), Striptease (1996), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Hostage (2005), Fox's Empire (2017-18), and Air Strike (2018). Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Thiruvananthapuram: A prank among relatives went horribly wrong leading to the loss of three lives, one of them a newborn baby, Kerala police's probe into the abandoning of the infant has revealed. In January this year, a newborn baby boy -- just a few hours old -- was found in a heap of dry leaves in Kollam district of Kerala and the infant later died in hospital. Police investigation revealed that one Reshma, resident of Kalluvathukkal village in Kollam, was the mother of the infant and she was arrested in June. During interrogation, Reshma said she had left her newborn to die in order to elope with a man -- Anandu -- whom she had befriended on Facebook but never met in person, police said. According to police, she had not disclosed that she was pregnant to her husband, Vishnu, nor to anyone else in her family. During their investigation to find out the woman's Facebook friend, police called two of her relatives -- Arya, her sister-in-law and Greeshma, her niece -- for questioning. Police had summoned them as a mobile sim card in Arya's name was being used by Reshma to operate one of her multiple Facebook accounts. However, in a strange twist of events, both women allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a river. Thereafter, police questioned a male friend of Greeshma who revealed that she had told him that she and Arya created the Facebook account of Anandu to play a prank on Reshma, a senior police officer said. Police also found that Arya had told her mother-in-law about the prank before she allegedly committed suicide. Arya's husband later told the media that he was thankful to the police for finding out why his wife had taken that extreme step. He said he had no idea about the prank. Reshma's husband, who was abroad and came back after hearing of her arrest, told the media that had anyone told him what was going on, he could have put a stop to it. Presently, Reshma is in judicial custody in a quarantine centre as she tested positive for COVID-19, police said and added that it has moved an application for her custody and the same is yet to come up for hearing. HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the stiff resistance and complaints by the Andhra Pradesh government, TS Genco (Generation Corporation) continues to generate hydel power at irrigation projects over river Krishna at the rate of almost 30 MW per day since June 29 with the security cover provided by the Ts government by deploying a large police force at the dams. The total installed capacity of hydel power in Telangana state is 2,441 MW. Of this, over 90 per cent is from projects on the Krishna. Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala and Jurala projects comprise 2,369 MW of the installed capacity. The TS Genco has produced over 100 MW power for the last four days since June 29, when the tussle erupted over generation of hydel power with the Andhra Pradesh government complaining to the Centre against Telangana state. TS Genco is utilising hydel power to operate the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation pumps, which require a large amount of power. The government is incurring heavy expenditure on account of using thermal power. To overcome this, the state government has decided to utilise cheaper hydel power to the maximum extent during monsoon, which is suitable for hydel power generation when inflows will be huge in projects. The TS government has started lifting Godavari water from the Kaleshwaram project to fill reservoirs starting from Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla to Mid-Manair project and Mallannasagar, using what are called Bahubali motors for their size. The Srisailam Left Bank Canal has the highest installed capacity of 900 MW followed by Nagarjunasagar (815 MW), Lower Jurala (240 MW), Jurala (234 MW), Pulichintala (120MW) and Nagarjunasagar left canal (60MW). At Srisailam, the TS Genco produced 9.72 MW power on June 29, 12.97 MW on June 30 and 13.79 MW on July 1. At Nagarjunasagar, it generated 6.76 MW on June 29, 16.12 MW on June 30 and 15.95 MW on July 1. At Pulichintala, it has produced 0.06 MW on June 29, 0.55 on June 30 and 0.80 on July 1. These figures indicate that TS Genco has been increasing generation at all projects day after day while AP government is stepping up opposition. The hydel generation is not being taken up at a single project on river Godavari due to poor water levels in Singur which has installed capacity of 15 MW, Nizamsagar (10 MW), Pochampad (36 MW), Peddapalli mini-hydro (9.2 MW) and Palair mini-hydro (2 MW). There is zero production in these projects at present. ADILABAD: Some distressed Gulf workers from Telangana state who vented their ire over the adverse conditions they were going through on social media seem to be in serious trouble as the state police have taken them a tad seriously. Upset over low payment and bad living conditions in the Gulf countries, some of the migrants posted videos and comments abusing and criticising Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and the TRS government, inviting the wrath of cybercrime police who booked cases against the abusers. It is said that Covid-19 pandemic aggravated the problems of the Gulf workers as companies were paying them low wages taking the advantage of the pandemic situation. The cybercrime police of Hyderabad, it is learnt, are issuing look out circulars (LOC) against the persons indulged in such crime. One such person is Giddu Gangadhar of Chincholi Malak of Sarangapur mandal of Nirmal district who is working in Kuwait, had posted a video on March 12, 2020, on Facebook abusing Chandrashekar Rao and criticising the government policies and also minister Allola Indrakaran Reddy of Nirmal. He subsequently did a series of such videos and posted them on Facebook. It is said that Gangadhars Facebook posts reflect his political ideology and stand. There are allegations that Gangadhars many postings are politically motivated. The video went viral on social media. This may be the second such incident in the recent past in the state. His family members are now worried that cybercrime police may take action against Gangadhar since some plainclothes personnel visited their home and collected details such as Aadhaar card and passport and the company where he was working in the Gulf. Gangadhars wife Gangavva is a disabled person and rolls beedis while one of their two sons is doing agriculture. The two young sons of Gangadhar got the information that cybercrime police registered a case against their father and may arrest him whenever he lands in India. His family is now seeking the mercy of the Chief Minister on humanitarian grounds so that the case is taken back by the police. Gangadhars family is living in utter poverty in Chincholi Malak of Sarangapoor mandal of Nirmal. In another case, Telangana police arrested a Gulf worker, Panyala Raju of Lambadipalli, a village in Malyal mandal of Jagtial district who also posted abusive comments on social media criticising Chandrashekar Rao and the government. Emigration officials handed him over to the police at the airport on his arrival to Mumbai in August, 2020. Swadesh Parikipandla, state president of Pravasi Mitra Labour Union, who met the family members of Gangadhar, said the Gulf workers should be careful while posting videos on social media emotionally since such videos could land them in trouble. He said the Gulf workers should realise that they may lose their jobs and can be jailed for posting abusive comments and videos on social media. Swadesh said many Gulf workers live in pathetic conditions without family for years together and many of them face health problems in loneliness for being away from the family and some of them lose their jobs due to various reasons and in distress searching for new jobs there. Reports say that Gangadhar may be deported from Kuwait and arrested in India upon his arrival. It is said that the state government may report the incident to the company where Gangadhar is working now. Army Chief General M M Naravane on Sunday left on a four-day visit to the UK and Italy with an aim to enhance India's bilateral ties with the two countries. The Army said Gen Naravane will be meeting his counterparts and senior military leaders of the two countries to explore ways to boost military cooperation. In the first leg of the visit, the Chief of Army Staff will hold talks with the UK's Secretary of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of General Staff and other dignitaries, the Army said. He will also be visiting various army formations where he will exchange ideas on issues of mutual interest, it said. "During the second leg of his tour from July 7 to 8, the Army Chief will be holding important discussions with the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Staff of the Italian Army," the Army said in a statement. "Additionally, the Chief of Army Staff will also inaugurate the Indian Army Memorial in the famous town of Cassino and will be briefed at the Italian Army's Counter IED Centre of Excellence at Cecchingola, Rome," it said. A rising number of shoot-out encounters, which have seen at least a dozen suspected insurgents and criminals being shot dead as they "tried to escape" from custody in less than two months, has whipped up a political furore in Assam. The rise in the number of such incidents since the new government came to power on May 10 has led the opposition to allege that the Assam Police has turned "trigger happy" under the Himanta Sarma-led regime. The Assam Police has, however, refuted this allegation, claiming that it was the militants and criminals who forced its personnel to resort to firing. "There have been about 12 deaths in police encounters or firing when criminals had tried to flee custody in the last couple of months," Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Gyanendra Pratap Singh told PTI in an interview. Among them are six suspected Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) militants and two alleged insurgents of United People's Revolutionary Front (UPRF), who were killed in separate encounters with the police in Karbi Anglong district. Four other suspected criminals were killed in different encounters in Dhemaji, Nalbari, Sivasagar and Karbi Anglong districts. Many of the accused had allegedly snatched the service pistols of the police officers, following which shootouts had taken place. Some encounters had taken place when the police attempted to arrest the accused persons and some when they tried to flee on being taken for crime scene reconstruction, he said. "The police had to resort to firing when these militants and criminals attempted to escape from custody. Only they can say why they tried to flee," the officer said. Declining to comment on why there has been a sudden rise in the number of such encounters by the police, the senior officer said that no enquiry has been instituted in any case where the criminal was injured. "Enquiry is ordered in cases where the fleeing criminal is injured only if there is any reason (to suspect that there was some extraneous issue involved). No enquiry has been ordered in any of such incidents in the last two months," he said. The incidents, where the accused have lost their lives, have been reported to the relevant authorities, including the National Human Rights Commission, as is the procedure, the Special DGP said. Among those injured in such police encounters are rape accused and cattle smugglers. In all the encounters where the accused were injured, they were taken for crime scene reconstruction and attempted to run away, prompting the police to open fire on them, he said. A former state Director General of Police, who wished not to be named, said the law allows police use of force but they should be judicious in their use of it. "The law allows police to use force under specific circumstances. The circumstances may, however, differ from case to case," the former top cop told PTI. He said that if anyone has any doubt about the authenticity of the encounters, then there are various redressal mechanisms like approaching the courts and the human rights bodies. On lodging of no complaints so far against these encounters, the retired IPS officer said, "It could mean that everyone believes that these were genuine incidents or indicate people's apathy towards such cases. At some level, it would imply social sanction too." He said that every incident has to be examined and one should not come to any conclusion just because there has been an increase in the number of such incidents. "There is the mandatory protocol for reporting to the higher authorities, including the human rights commission, when death takes place. These reports could perhaps lead to a better understanding of the circumstances of the incidents," the ex-DGP added. Reacting to the increase in encounters, the Leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia claimed that the Assam Police was doing this to cover up their laxity and appease the new regime. "When criminals try to flee police custody, it is laxity of policing. The criminals are taken for crime scene reconstruction and they try to flee. This has become a routine affair now. It seems Assam Police is becoming trigger happy," he said. The senior Congress leader said that the police is trying to prove themselves before the new government but if it could have just done its job properly, there would have been no need for such tactics. Raijor Dal chief and MLA Akhil Gogoi also alleged that "open killing" by the police was going on in the name of encounters. "The criminals are being killed now, hence no one is saying anything. But when the general people will be targeted after this becomes acceptable, then we will have a problem," he added. A week after a drone attack at an Air Force base in Jammu, authorities in Srinagar on Sunday banned the sale, possession and use of such unmanned aerial vehicles in the city. Earlier, authorities in border districts of Rajouri and Kathua in the Jammu region had put curbs on the use of drones and other UAVs in the wake of the terror attack last Sunday. Two explosives-laden drones had crashed into the Indian Air Force station at Jammu airport and there were other suspicious sightings of UAVs, triggering a security alert. In an order, deputy commissioner of Srinagar Mohammad Aijaz directed those having drone cameras or other similar kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles to deposit them in local police stations. Also read: Involvement of Pakistan in drone attack on IAF station cannot be ruled out: J&K DGP The order, however, exempted government departments using drones for mapping, surveys and surveillance in agricultural, environmental conservation and disaster mitigation sectors but directed them to inform the local police station before using them. The administration cautioned that any violation of the guidelines will attract punitive action, and directed police to implement the restrictions in letter and spirit. The order to ban the use of drones came after the recommendations of the city's police chief. The decentralised airspace access has to be regulated in view of recent episodes of misuse of drones posing threat to security infrastructure as reported by media/other reliable sources, the order said. To secure the aerial space near the vital installations and highly populated areas, it is imperative to discontinue the use of drones in all social and cultural gatherings to eliminate any risk of injury to the life and damage of property, the order said. Keeping in view the security situation, apart from concerns of breach of privacy, nuisance and trespass, it is extremely dangerous to let unmanned aerial vehicles wander around in the skies within the territorial jurisdiction of district Srinagar, it said. The district magistrate imposed "restrictions/ban on the storage, sale/ possession, use and transport of drones/similar kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles in the city". Persons already having the drone cameras/ similar kind of unmanned aerial vehicles in their possession shall ground the same in the local police stations under proper receipt, the order said. By Fiona Russell, Peter McIntyre and Shidan Tosif for The Conversation Eighteen months into the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries that have achieved high vaccination coverage in adults have started vaccinating adolescents aged 12-15. Drivers to vaccinate children and adolescents include building confidence to open schools, preventing severe disease, and reducing transmission in all ages to achieve herd immunity. But in most countries, including Australia, vaccination of the highest-risk groups is not nearly complete. So does it make sense to vaccinate children and adolescents at this stage? Covid-19 in children Covid-19 is less severe in children and adolescents; most have mild infections or are asymptomatic. Studies have found multisystem inflammatory syndrome and long Covid to be uncommon after Covid-19 infection, especially in young children. Newborns and children with other medical conditions are at higher risk of severe disease. But with the level of medical care in Australia, even the more vulnerable children have a very low risk of dying. Given the increased risk in children with underlying health issues, there may be benefit to vaccinating these children over 12, and a strong case for 16- to 18-year-olds. But as increasing age is the biggest risk factor for severe disease, vaccinating older people should remain the priority. Read | Which countries have approved Covid-19 vaccines for children? Are Covid vaccines safe for kids? Common side-effects seen in a clinical trial of the Pfizer vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds included injection site pain (up to 86 per cent of participants), fatigue (up to 66 per cent) and headache (up to 65 per cent). These were mild to moderate in severity and short-lived. However, two more serious, related conditions myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining) have been identified in safety surveillance in the United States, Canada and Israel following mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna). The highest rates are in men under 25 after the second dose. Based on US data up to June 11, for boys aged 12-17, the rate was 66.7 cases per million second doses. This is more than double the estimated risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following the AstraZeneca vaccine, although myocarditis and pericarditis are less severe. Most of the 323 cases recorded in the US data went to hospital; some needed intensive care, but the vast majority fully recovered. Read | Covid-19 vaccine for kids will pave way for school reopening, says AIIMS chief What are other countries doing? These heart conditions may be triggered by autoimmune responses following mRNA vaccines in susceptible young people. Given immune responses are higher in adolescents than adults after vaccination, experts are considering altering the vaccine dosage or schedule in this age group. Israel is now weighing up a single dose for adolescents, as one dose produces a good immune response, and almost all cases of myocarditis or pericarditis believed to be associated with the vaccine occurred after the second dose. In the US, the risk of Covid-19 was judged to render the benefits of the existing adolescent vaccination programme substantially greater than the risks from vaccination. In the United Kingdom, infections with the Delta variant have increased, particularly in older adolescents in hotspots. However, the UK has decided not to vaccinate children under 18 just yet, as there would be little direct benefit in this age group. Vaccine safety must be paramount, especially where the risk of Covid-19 is low, such as in Australia. Although Australia hasnt yet approved a Covid-19 vaccine for this younger age group, any risk/benefit calculation would be based on our local context, as weve seen with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Read | Tweets on Covid-19 rose by over 600% in second wave What about outbreaks in schools? The most profound effect on children and adolescents during the pandemic has been the impact of school closures on learning, socialisation and emotional development, especially in children with special needs or mental health issues. The US and Canada are vaccinating adolescents partly to build confidence for returning to school. School outbreaks do occur and are proportionate to the degree of community transmission. In Australias current Delta outbreak, weve seen very few school-related infections. But its important to understand adult staff are responsible for most transmission in schools. And most transmission linked to schools or generally occurs in households. Weve seen this even in the UK with the Delta variant. A Scottish study with data up to February found the highest risk factor of infection in people at risk of severe Covid-19 was the number of adults in their household. Living with children was not a risk factor. Vaccinating adults, parents and school staff will be key to preventing infections in children and schools. Do we need to vaccinate children and teens to control Covid-19? Vaccinating large numbers of adults will allow us to prevent deaths and serious illness, and therefore reduce the burden on health systems. Thats the primary goal. Read | Amid Covid-19, 59% men feel work stress taking toll on personal lives: Survey But many countries are also aiming to achieve herd immunity through vaccination. High coverage in adults will go a long way to achieving this, but the incremental benefit from vaccinating children 15 and under is still unclear. In Serrana, a small town in Brazil, where 95 per cent of the adult population (about 75 per cent of the total population) were given two doses of Sinovac vaccine, deaths were reduced by 95 per cent, hospitalisations by 86 per cent and symptomatic infections by 80 per cent. Infections in unvaccinated children and adolescents also went down. In some countries with adult vaccination rates above 50 per cent, such as Israel, infections have declined overall, suggesting adults play a key role in transmission and preventing infections in children. In fact, one study in Israel found vaccinating adults did prevent infections in unvaccinated children. Read | Vaccinating children against Covid-19 'not a high priority' for WHO Lets keep the focus on adults for now At this stage, the focus of a vaccination programme should remain on attaining high coverage in adults, especially the elderly and those with other medical conditions. We should aim for above 90 per cent coverage in these groups to maximise individual protection and prevent transmission to younger age groups. Another reason to hold off with adolescents is the fact the global Covid-19 vaccine rollout has been slow and highly inequitable. The World Health Organization has expressed major concern over higher-income countries beginning to vaccinate children while many lower- and middle-income countries have insufficient supply to vaccinate high-priority groups. Recommendations for vaccination will evolve. But the top priority right now must be maximising vaccination in adults both in countries that may have the capacity to vaccinate children, and around the world. (Fiona is with the University of Melbourne; Peter is with University of Otago and Shidan works with Murdoch Children's Research Institute) Dr Ananda Giri Shankar, a public health doctor hailing from Bengaluru and working in the United Kingdom, has been awarded an honorary Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). The award will be handed over to him by the Queen of England in recognition of his work in fighting Covid as the Incident Director of Public Health Wales. Dr Shankar moved to the UK in 2005, after completing his MBBS and MD at the KIMS, Bengaluru. He completed his training in public health and went on to become the Interim Deputy Director of Health Protection for Public Health before joining Public Health Wales in 2016. Read | Karnataka reports 10,959 new Covid-19 cases, 192 deaths His areas of medical expertise include control of communicable diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases, research and development, among many others. Speaking to DH, Dr Shankar said he has a strong connection with the city. I spent the first 30 years of my life in Bengaluru, which I visit every year. The award is a great privilege. For the past 14 months, I have been responsible for keeping an overview of the progression of the pandemic. I have also been in touch with the Welsh ministers and governments constantly. Highlights of this day in history: America's Declaration of Independence; Former Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson die on same day; Israel's raid at Entebbe; West Point opens; Lou Gehrig's farewell to baseball; Neil Simon born. (July 4) Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar to runite for an out and out comedy, filmmaker confirms they will begin shoot early next year Filmmaker Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar recently met up and their post about the meeting sparked rumours of an upcoming collaboration. The filmmaker has now confirmed that he is indeed reuniting with the Bollywood star for a film and shared that the project with a comedy mixed with emotions. Confirming their reunion after over a decade of their last film Khatta Meetha Pruyadarshan told Pinkvilla, Its an out and out comedy with emotions. You can say, its 70 percent comedy and 30 percent emotion towards the climax. We were supposed to start shooting this year, but its delayed due to the pandemic. We are now looking to start shooting early next year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) The director-actor duo has worked on many films in the past including the Hera Pheri franchise, Bhool Bhulaiya, Bhagam Bhag, and Garam Masala apart from Khatta Meetha. Given their success rate in leaving the audiences reeling with laughter, their next will certainly be one to watch out for. The filmmaker also shared that while the script for the film is locked he will continue to improve on it till the film goes on floors. Dismissing rumours about the film being a remake, he also added that their upcoming collaboration is an original script. Priyadarshan and Akshay shared a picture laughing together on the sets on Raksha Bandhan where the filmmaker met with the actor to discuss their project. On Instagram Akshay wrote, When a guy with as brilliant a sense of humour as @priyadarshan.official comes calling, a hard-work day becomes a laugh-hard day! Vicky Kaushal adds a Range Rover worth Rs. 2 crores to his car collection Vicky Kaushal has made a handsome new addition to his car collection. The actor welcomed home a new Range Rover and shared a picture posing beside his new SUV. The Uri actor who has been unstoppable in Bollywood since he got noticed for his performance in Sanju in 2018 wrote on Instagram, Welcome Home buddy! The swanky new vehicle according to reports costs Rs. 2 crores upwards. Several of Vickys colleagues from the industry congratulated the actor on his brand new car. Vickys Uri director Aditya Dhar who is a close friend of the actor wrote, Shotgun!! Congratulations mere Bhai!! Aise he Mehnat aur Tarakki karo!! Sophie Choudhary, Gajraj Rao, Nimrat Kaur, Mukesh Chhabra, and many fans commented on the post too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) Vicky and Aditya Dhar are reuniting once again for an exciting project The Immortal Ashwatthama. The director-actor duo has begun work on the project in Mumbai. Recently sharing a fun update on the project, Vicky shared a hilarious post featuring Aditya. He wrote, When the Directors really serious about casting you in the Film. Prepping to be The Immortal! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) Other films Vicky has in his kitty are Sardar Udham Singh and the Sam Manekshaw biopic which he has already shot for but we are still to get an update on their release. Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 Promo: Rahul Vaidya serenades Vishal & Arjun while Rohit Shetty controls his laughter Ever since the contestants of Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 returned from Cape Town, South Africa after wrapping up the shoot, makers have been dropping interesting teasers. Through these mini clips, host and filmmaker Rohit Shetty introduced us to many of the celebrity participants who will be seen performing stunts in his show this year. While Vishal Aditya Singh left us in awe by acing the tasks, Arjun Bijlani and Rahul Vaidyas promos were a little on the funny side. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) Well, today the channel dropped yet another teaser on social media. This time, the clip gives us a glimpse of all the masti that Rohit and the contestants had on sets in between tasks. In this promo, Rahul serenaded Arjun and Vishal while they danced to the romantic number together. Meanwhile, Rohit controlled his laughter and even lay down on the ground like Salman Khan does while he hosts Bigg Boss! The filmmaker stated: Salman bhai now I understand why you lie down in Bigg Boss. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) In the end, Arjun and Vishal act like they are going to kiss. Rohit is shocked and goes to sit in a trunk which is kept on the sets for a task. He says, Ho jaaye toh batana. Aur kahin koodne ko jagah nahi hai mere paas. Well, we cant wait to see all this masti along with the deadly stunts performed by celebs this year when the show premieres on television on 17th July! Who are you rooting for? In order to install the new Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft requires a computer to have a TPM 2.0 module installed. Additionally, your system also needs to have a minimum of 4GB RAM and a secure boot environment to run Windows 11. These new requirements have left a lot of users with the older rig in the dust. The frustrated users running Windows 10 on relatively older machines are being forced to update their system in order to run the latest operating system. In case you are wondering, the CPUs created in the last 5-6 years ship with a built-in firmware-based TPM (fTPM) which can be enabled in the BIOS menu. But if your system is older than that, then you may try to install a discrete TPM 2.0 processor on your motherboard. This step will, however, require you to have a motherboard that supports TPM 2.0 modules, which is highly unlikely if your system is older than, say, 5-6 years. So, what's the solution? Well, you will either have to wait for the OEMs to get permission to disable the TPM requirement in Windows 11 for their devices or simply upgrade your rig to be able to run the new OS. But if you are willing to take a slightly unusual route and play around a little bit, then you can also bypass the TPM requirement in Windows 11 with a registry. How To Bypass The TPM Requirement in Windows 11 Microsoft has a new 'LabConfig' registry key that allows you to bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement. In addition to that, it will also let you bypass the minimum 4GB RAM and the Secure Boot requirement. This registry appears to have been developed to create a lab environment for testing Windows 11 on older equipment. This tutorial was first shared by the folks over at WindowsLatest and here's how you can do that - Here's how you can use the registry to bypass the requirement and install Windows 11 - While installing Windows 11, you will see an error message that reads, "This PC can't run Windows 11." This pops up if your system doesn't meet the minimum requirements. When you see that error, press Shift+F10 on your keyboard to launch a command prompt and type regedit, and press enter to launch the Windows Registry Editor. Once the Registry Editor is opened, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup, right-click on the Setup key and select New > Key. When you are prompted to name the key, simply enter LabConfig and press enter. Right-click on the LabConfig key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) value and create a value named BypassTPMCheck, and set its data to 1. Now create the BypassRAMCheck and BypassSecureBootCheck values and set their data to 1 as well. It will look something like this - After you are done configuring those values, close the Registry Editor, and type exit in the command prompt to close the window. You will now be back on the error message page. Simply hit the back button to go one step back. Now, select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install and proceed. You will now have successfully bypassed the minimum requirements. Is It Safe To Bypass? Well, it goes without saying that this is just an alternate method to install the OS on unsupported hardware. Bypass the key requirements will most likely affect the performance or stability of Windows 11. So we suggest doing this as an experiment only on a virtual machine or a test box that you don't mind having an unsupported environment. Please do not try this on the main computer that you use on a daily basis for work or otherwise. It's also worth mentioning that disabling the TPM 2.0 requirement will reduce the security of the OS. And lastly, if you are bypassing the minimum RAM requirement, then your system might not be stable too. So do make a note of all these risks that are involved and proceed with caution. State-news Mississippi elected officials, candidates owe thousands in unpaid campaign finance fines Since 2018, they owe the state nearly $150k Caleb Bedillion / ROGELIO V. SOLIS I AP Mississippi officeholders and former candidates owe thousands in unpaid fines for violating campaign finance laws, according to records obtained by the Daily Journal. Patchwork oversight mechanisms make it difficult to recover unpaid fines. Caleb Bedillion / BY CALEB BEDILLION/Daily Journal Mississippi officeholders and former candidates owe thousands in unpaid fines for violating campaign finance laws, according to records obtained by the Daily Journal. Patchwork oversight mechanisms make it difficult to recover unpaid fines. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis) JACKSON Mississippi politicians and candidates are required by law to file campaign finance reports, which reveal who is giving them money and how they are spending it but many of them arent doing it. In hundreds of cases since 2018, state-level candidates and elected officials ignored or overlooked this basic transparency requirement. And the vast majority of the time they didnt pay their fines, which ranged from $50 to $500. The Daily Journal analyzed a list of hundreds of people who did not file at least one campaign finance report on time, or at all. Kept by the Mississippi Ethics Commission, the spreadsheet dates back to the start of 2018, when a new campaign finance reform law took effect. Since 2018, unpaid campaign finance fines outnumber paid ones nearly three-to-one. That adds up to real money: State politicians and candidates have stiffed the state out of nearly $150,000 by either refusing to pay their fine or not realizing one had been levied. Only about $30,000 worth of fines were paid or waived due to valid excuse over the three years. Campaign finance law leaves gap in enforcement It appears dozens of officials and candidates never filed their delinquent campaign finance report at all after being fined, though the exact number is unclear. The Ethics Commission issues the fines, but it has not closely tracked who does and doesnt eventually file their reports, Executive Director Tom Hood said. A different agency, the Secretary of States Office, collects the reports, leading to a confusing process with several apparent gaps in enforcement. Hood said hes not sure why so many Mississippi candidates and officials arent paying their fines. We get responses that range from, Oh my gosh, Im so sorry, heres my check, to this guy who was calling us a few weeks ago and cursing at my coworkers, accusing us of being part of some conspiracy, saying he didnt know (about the fine), and wasnt going to pay it, to no response at all, Hood said. A lot of them, theres no response at all. Northeast Mississippi candidates owe thousands The following officials and former candidates from Northeast Mississippi owe fines for failing to file campaign finance reports, according to the Mississippi Ethics Commission Trey Bowman: $500 Kegan Coleman: $1,000 Scott Colom: $50 Andre DeBerry: $1,000 John Faulkner: $1,100 Rodney Faver: $200 Kevin Frye: $150 Paul Funderburk: $100 Steve Holland: $500 Kelly Luther: $50 Carlton Smith: $500 Mike Tagert: $150 The Daily Journal identified 13 people from Northeast Mississippi who recently had outstanding campaign finance fines. Several claimed they had not received a fine letter. Others said they had since paid up. This is brand new to me, Kegan Coleman, a resident of Calhoun City and a former Democratic candidate for the District 8 Senate seat, said of $1,000 in fines for two missing campaign finance reports. We will give the Ethics Commission a call to discuss this. I have moved recently, said Trey Bowman, a resident of Ackerman and a former Republican candidate for Northern District Transportation Commissioner, who was fined $500 for a missing 2019 report. Im not saying they didnt send it to me, but it could have been lost in the move. Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, was fined $100 for a late report but said he should not be on the list because he has since paid it. Kevin Frye, a resident of Oxford and a former Democratic candidate in the District 9 Senate seat, said hed also recently paid the commission $150 for not filing his 2020 annual campaign report on time. Frye apologized to the citizens of the state for filing the report late, and encouraged the Legislature to use his $150 fine to invest in issues like early childhood education. State reminds candidates to file before fines start Mississippi law requires candidates and current elected officials to file annual reports detailing their fundraising and spending. And during election years, there are more frequent reporting requirements, to provide transparency and accountability around who is giving and spending cash as races heat up. The law provides for some wiggle room, and reminders, for people to file their reports. Within five days of a reporting deadline, the Secretary of States Office compiles a list of those who have not filed, notifies them of their failure, and sends the list to the Ethics Commission. But Scott Colom, who owes $50 according to the Ethics Commissions records, said candidate reminders were handled differently when now-Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann was the Secretary of State. Under Hosemann, Colom remembers receiving emails from the SOSs office reminding him to file a campaign finance form before a fine would be assessed against him. I dont remember getting an email this time, Colom, the district attorney for the states 16th district said. Regardless of the method of communication under current Secretary of State Michael Watsons office, Colom said he will pay the fine if he does owe one. The Ethics Commission only starts issuing fines on the 10th day after the report is due. Each additional day a report is late costs another $50, up to a maximum of $500. The commission can waive a fine if the person couldnt file due to a severe health issue or similar unforeseeable problem. Fine payments are deposited into the states general fund. State agencies not communicating about missing reports, collecting fines What happens if someone doesnt pay, doesnt file their report, or both? Not much. The Ethics Commission is supposed to send the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office a list of people who have not paid their fines after 120 days, and the AG can file a lawsuit to compel payment, according to the law. Since 2018, unpaid campaign finance fines outnumber paid ones nearly three-to-one. That adds up to real money: State politicians and candidates have stiffed the state out of nearly $150,000 by either refusing to pay their fine or not realizing one had been levied. But AG spokeswoman Colby Jordan said her office could not find any record of such referrals from the Ethics Commission. Hood said it had been at least a couple years since he sent the list of people who hadnt paid, and he wasnt sure if his office had ever sent one. Hood said the list wasnt sent to the AG recently because the Ethics Commission had voted to delay fining people for campaign finance violations during the pandemic. Fine letters from 2019 and 2020 were sent out in mid-May. State law also says a candidate, if they win, cant take office until they file all their campaign finance reports. But Secretary of State officials said they could not find an instance, including under past administrations, where a candidate wasnt certified to take office because of their failure to file a report. Hood said its not the Ethics Commissions job to prevent someone from taking office because they didnt file a campaign finance report, suggesting that would be the Secretary of States role. I just dont think we should be jumping off and telling people what to do if we dont know we have the authority to do it, Hood said. If we send a letter to somebody saying, You cant take office, well then we need to be able to back that up with the authority to stop them from taking office. Officials: Weak campaign finance law at heart of problem It all adds up to a Mississippi campaign finance law that needs some work, Hood said. More electronic report filing would help, he said, as would a clearer delineation of duties between the Ethics Commission and Secretary of State, plus more clarity on how the law should be enforced. Whatever the Legislature wants us to do, thats fine; well do whatever they want us to do, Hood said. But what we do and how we do it needs to be clear, and its not right now. The Secretary of States Office also acknowledged changes are needed in the law. Ironing out the statutes regarding deadlines, consequences, and the specific duties of the state agencies involved would help us hold candidates and political committees more accountable and streamline the overall process, spokeswoman Kendra James wrote in a statement. ALLEN [ndash] Jacqueline "Jackie" Sue Morrison, 70, of Allen, Oklahoma passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Allen. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Estes-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Ada, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Allen Cemetery in Allen, Okl 75 years after it was first founded, Saint John of God North East is still providing important health and social care to people with intellectual disabilities that enter into their facilities. The group, which have facilities across Louth and some in Monaghan and Meath, are committed to working with people with intellectual disabilities to create environments that fit them, according to Sonia Callaghan, the interim Assistant Director of Nursing Care and Support. Mrs Callaghan says that the group have shifted in recent years from a medical-based model to a rights-based model, with the majority of people in their services living in houses and being supported by Saint John of God. It looks like people living in ordinary houses in ordinary communities around the county, said Mrs Callaghan. Were obliged to, and doing, adapting the environment to make the environment work rather than adapting people to fit the environment. This allows people with disabilities to be more active in their communities, which Mrs Callaghan saying that some people within their care are able to access third level education, have a part-time job and have more independence than they would have in a solely medical setting. HISTORY The healthcare group, which provides health and social care for people with intellectual disabilities, was originally founded in Drumcar in 1946 by the Saint John of God Brothers. The land in Drumcar was originally an estate house, previously owned by the McClintock family, but had since changed hands to a Mr Mc Corrie of Co Cavan. Brothers and dignatories opening the facility in 1948 Rather than live in the estate, Mr McCorrie instead cut down the woods on the land and sold them as sleepers to the Great Northern Railway company, then placed the estate back on the market. When the property was then purchased in 1946, it had been left dilapidated and unused for years. Repairs to the house were facilitated by charitable donations, worth 11,000 today. The facility was officially opened in June 1948 by the Minister of Health, Dr Noel Browne, and had been blessed by Archbishop of Armagh Dr Dalton., The facility was named St Marys and was used for the care of disabled boys, with residents filling the house to capacity soon after it opened. Minister Brown then decided to expand the capacity, creating a more modern facility that was capable of housing 350 people. Due to a lack of facilities at the time in Ireland, rather than just catering to those in the North East, residents came from across the country, meaning that visits from family became incredibly difficult, if not impossible. However, this slowly began to be eased in the 80s, with programmes to repatriate residents to their own health board areas. Community services, which Saint John of Gods mostly provides now, began to be created in the early 80s, with four men leaving the campus to live in Dunleer. The nursing school's first class Three chalet type buildings were also built on the St Marys campus, with female residents coming to live at Saint Johns for the first time. Due to funding cuts to the service, however, there was little movement to a community-style living arrangement until 2008. CURRENT WORK In 2008, the management team at St Marys made the decision to expand the community-style living, with 70 residents being moved from the campus to homes in towns and villages around the county. The publication of a report on congregated living settings for those with disabilities was damning for congregated settings and encouraged for more community living to be established across the country. The publication of this report came alongside the financial crisis, however, with an absence of funding going to disability care providers, St Marys was unable to move more people into communities. HIQA regulations were then introduced in 2013 for residential services for people with an intellectual disability, and the 60-year-old campus in Drumcar was deemed unsuitable. Work has continued over the years to continue to move residents to community sites, with only 17 people living on the campus at present. Saint John of God has said that it is their aim to move those remaining residents within the next two years. This will see our Campus-Based Service at St Marys closed and mark the end of an era, but our story of providing residential supports to 212 people across the three counties of Louth, Meath Monaghan will continue, said a spokesperson for Saint John of God North East. COMMUNITY SERVICES For Mrs Callaghan, she believes its important for the organization to be flexible and adaptable for the residents in their care and that community-based services are the best practice. Teaching life skills and providing more independence to those in their care is also important, with Mrs Callaghan raising that those who are in their care are encouraged to live their life as they want to. The ideal would be that were growing your life So were giving you control of your life, even supporting you making ill-advised or unwise choices, said Mrs Callaghan. If youre a legal adult, youve every right to have a beer or a girlfriend or want to go on holidays to Spain. Were trying to teach that you can have a life, warts and all. A full life, of your choosing. For the future, Mrs Callaghan wants to see more funding put into the area of intellectual disability services, with the group currently in negotiations with the Department of Health to secure the funding. Its no secret that as a sector that we are are hugely underfunded, said Mrs Callaghan, referencing previous issues with funding where 150 staff had to be let go. Mrs Callaghan says that there is currently a body of work being done to solve the funding issue, as they want to ensure that they can continue to provide a quality service to those who need it. Were not in the business of just providing a service, we want to provide a quality service. Mrs Callaghan says that with Saint John of Gods North East entering into their 75th year, they want to show that their services are not just what people see in Drumcar, but that they go much further than that. She believes that people should know about the size and scope of the organization, and that that would help when they return to the HSE and Department of Health surrounding funding for the group. As more and more companies offer the option of remote working, motor and home insurer Liberty Insurance is advising employers and employees alike that the practice has potential insurance implications, which are less understood. Liberty Insurance recently partnered with award-winning social enterprise Grow Remote and welcomes the #MakingRemoteWork campaign launched yesterday (Monday 28 June) by Grow Remote alongside Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar. This campaign aims to make remote and home working a much bigger part of working life after the Covid-19 pandemic. Liberty, as an employer who recently committed to remote working for all its people in Ireland, brings its own experience to bear and has listed five of the most important insurance considerations for employees working from home and employers considering a more permanent role for out-of-office remote work. 1. Computers and printers might not be covered by home insurance Most home insurance policies that include contents cover will include cover for a limited amount of home office equipment, such as a computer and printer. However, some home insurance policies may not give any cover for office contents, as they are not deemed to be household goods. If employers or employees are unsure on this point contact your employer or your insurer. 2. Office equipment removed from the office can lose business insurance cover Over the last 15 months, many employees have borrowed workplace hardware to facilitate their remote working, in many cases at short notice. The main purpose of business insurance is typically to cover company assets in a specific workplace, although some commercial business policies allow for an element of cover for business equipment being temporarily removed. Therefore, if an employer is moving to a remote working model, they will need to speak with their insurer and update their insurance policy accordingly. 3. Prepare for hacks, data breaches, and lost devices It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all computer hardware is provided to an employee to enable remote working. Typically, this is covered under the businesss material damage section of its insurance policy. Whats most important is that employers update and communicate their security policies to reflect emerging teleworking practices and the rapidly evolving space of data security. Insurance products in the data security space are constantly evolving. Some insurers provide custom computer insurance cover, such as all risks basis cover that enables employers to insure for damage or interference to computer systems and loss of data, whether electronic or non-electronic. 4. Accidents in a remote work environment are still workplace accidents All employers have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure employees have a safe and ergonomic place to work, regardless of whether that is on-site or at home. If remote working is a relatively new development within an organisation, Employers should ensure their employer liability policy provides the appropriate level of coverage. 5. Meetings held at home should be digital only Remote workers hosting meetings at home has implications for the employer and employee. Most home insurance policies require people to specify that their home is not used in connection with their business or profession. Therefore, were an accident to occur in the home during a meeting with a client or customer, this would not be covered by their insurer. Again employees and employers should be encouraged to hold only digital meetings at home and go to a co-working space or the office for in-person meetings. Readers Survey As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here North Andover, MA (01845) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. A man who was caught with the trappings of heroin use in the front seat of his car when parked at a garage on New Years Day has been jailed for a total of ten months. Sergeant John Kelleher said that Road Traffic Act offences were detected on the same occasion including the fact that the motorist had no licence or insurance. Sergeant Kelleher said the accused had 40 worth of cannabis and 25 worth of heroin both drugs being in his possession for his own use on the occasion. The offences were detected when he pulled into the forecourt of OReillys garage on Watercourse Road, Cork, on that date. Kenneth Hornibrook of Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, pleaded guilty to the charges. On New Years Day 2021 he was stopped driving at OReillys service station on Watercourse Road, Cork. Driving ban As well as the ten-month sentence, Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a driving disqualification of 15 years. The 44-year-old had numerous previous convictions for driving without insurance and almost as many for having drugs for his own use. He had a total of 195 previous convictions and was already serving a prison term. His solicitor, Joseph Cuddigan said the accused man had a longstanding addiction issue but was attending an addiction counsellor in prison and doing well in that regard. At the age of 44, at this stage he knows the greater part of his life is behind him. "He is intent on keeping drugs out of his life in future, Mr Cuddigan said in his submission at Cork District Court. Next Lieutenant Governor appointed Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer has been appointed as the next Lieutenant Governor of the Island. Sir John, who will succeed Sir Richard Gozney, has just completed a three year tour as the Defence Senior Adviser Middle East and North Africa at the Ministry of Defence. Sir John has served in the British Army for 39 years with a distinguished career that has included tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Educated at Cambridge, Sir John is married with three sons. Prior to his recent role as the principal adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff on the Middle East, Sir John was Chief of Joint Operations, commanding all of the UKs worldwide operations, including those with NATO and the UN. Commenting on his appointment, Sir John said: It is a great honour to be chosen as Her Majestys personal representative in the Isle of Man. It is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the Island and its community. My wife, Philippa, and I are very much looking forward to moving to and making our home on the Island, as well as playing an active part in Manx life. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as the representative of the Crown in the Isle of Man. Arrangements for Sir Johns swearing in ceremony at Castle Rushen will be announced later this summer. Elon Musk's Boring Company is still trying to sell cities on transit loops, and it might just have a significant buyer. As The Verge reports, the Boring Company has submitted a bid for a transit tunnel loop that would link the downtown with the beach. The Las Olas Loop would be an "innovative and unprecented" way to manage traffic congestion and transit demands, Mayor Dean Trantalis claimed. The City Commission will vote on the proposal on July 6th. It also plans to establish a process where other companies can offer rival projects. Specific details won't be available until after the competition is over, the city said. A successful bid would establish the Boring Company's first East Coast tunnel. The only existing tunnel, in Las Vegas, launched in June. It would be a crucial win. Musk's outfit hasn't had much success pitching cities on passenger loops, and has even shifted some of its attention to larger freight tunnels. A Fort Lauderdale contract would give the passenger system more credibility and might encourage other cities to consider tunnels of their own at least, so long as the tunnels prove to be useful. TikTok's AI is no longer a secret in fact, it's now on the open market. The Financial Times has learned that parent company ByteDance quietly launched a BytePlus division that sells TikTok technology, including the recommendation algorithm. Customers can also buy computer vision tech, real-time effects and automated translations, among other features. BytePlus debuted in June and is based in Singapore, although it has presences in Hong Kong and London. The company is looking to register trademarks in the US, although it's not certain if the firm has an American presence at this stage. There are already at least a few customers. The American fashion app Goat is already using BytePlus code, as are the Indonesian online shopping company Chilibeli and the travel site WeGo. ByteDance wouldn't comment on its plans for BytePlus. Insider revealed the plans for BytePlus in April, but it hadn't launched the division until now. A move like this wouldn't be surprising, even if it might remove some of TikTok's cachet. It could help ByteDance compete with Amazon, Microsoft and other companies selling behind-the-scenes tools to businesses. It might also serve as a hedge. TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin might be close to plateauing, and selling their tech could keep the money flowing. China's app privacy crackdown just struck one of its largest targets yet. Bloomberg reports that China's Cyberspace Administration has ordered the removal of Didi Chuxing's ride hailing app from mobile stores, including Apple's App Store and Huawei's AppGallery. The software allegedly committed serious regulatory breaches through its collection and use of personal data, officials said. The government didn't explain the decision, which came just two days after a formal review began. Didi's app is still functional if you've already downloaded it and have an account you just can't download a new copy. Didi said it planned to fix the app to honor Chinese regulations, and had paused new user registrations as of July 3rd. It's not certain when sign-ups and the app will return. The move might help protect privacy, but it also reflects China's mounting attempts to rein in domestic tech giants. It recently fined Alibaba $2.8 billion for alleged monopolistic practices, for instance. Didi was already under scrutiny for possible antitrust violations and security issues the order represents both an escalation of that scrutiny and a signal that China is ready to get tough if companies don't fall in line. The services celebrating and honoring the life of Daniel Stoker, 44, of San Antonio, TX, formerly of Enid, are pending under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.Brown-Cummings.com. Click for the latest, full-access Enid News & Eagle headlines | Text Alerts | app downloads Hassler is the digital content coordinator for the Enid News & Eagle. Have a question about this story? Do you see something we missed? Do you have a story idea for Violet? Send an email to violeth@enidnews.com. "Million Dollar Listing" star Ryan Serhant was able to quickly shut down the lawsuit brought by his former client accusing him of fraud. The case comes with $1 Million damages if Serhant loses, but this is moot now because somehow, he was able to escape it. Based on the court documents obtained by Radar Online, a New York judge sided with Serhant and dismissed all fraud claims brought by his former client Aaron Coppelson in a 2019 complaint. It can be remembered that the luxury real estate agent was accused of fraud and illegal business practices in the federal lawsuit way back in 2019 - before the pandemic happened to everyone in the world. Based on his complaint, Coppelson said he hired Serhant to give him assistance in securing an investment property in 2015. According to him, the Bravo star certainly was willing to provide his services, and was quite pushy. Allegedly, Serhant pushed hard for him to buy a $4.375 million property in Manhattan. At the time, the owner of the property went "underwater and must sell now." ALSO READ: Justin Timberlake 'Bought' Forgiveness From Jessica Biel After Cheating on Her? The Truth The former client said Serhant promised the home would well over $5 million in "a short period of time and that the property was a "gold mine." Serhant was reportedly banking on the fact that the property was being sold cheap since it must be rid off immediately. Needless to say, Coppelson trusted Serhan's judgement. He proceeded to purchase the home for $4,375,000. But aftewards, he felt duped because it was very difficult to sell of the property years later. He was eventually able to unload it for $3,675,000, which means he lost significant amount of money. To make matters worse, Coppelson revealed he later learned Serhant represented the seller in the original transaction without even telling him. This revelation made him sue. "All of the above misrepresentations, omissions, and/or conduct involved material facts between the parties and were unfair, illegal, false, deceptive and/or misleading," the relevant documents read. Coppelson sued for $1 million in damages. But Serhant is getting away scot-free. The judge finds no merits in the accusations to warrant a case and dismissed it. On his part and before judgement was given, Serhant first denied all allegations and demanded the suit be tossed out of court. He claimed his statements were nothing more than his expert's opinion and should not be begrudged of it did not turn out to be true, especially investments usually come with risks. Serhantt called Coppelson a "sophisticated investor" and said he should be aware that there were always risks. The judge seems to agree. the judge presiding over the case found the statements Serhant made to his client were not improper. The phrases made by Serhant, "best one of the list" and "underwater" are not actionable as fraud. The court also held that Serhant did nothing wrong when he represented both parties in the sale. Hence, the agent and star no longer has to deal with the idea of paying $1 million in damages, as the case was dimissed. ALSO READ: Prince William Warned Prince Harry On Princess Diana Statute Unveiling, Lip Reader Says Did Prince Harry purposely snub Queen Elizabeth II during his UK trip for the Diana statue unveiling? Everybody knows that the Duke of Sussex and his grandmother have a great bond and are incredibly affectionate for one another, despite the recent dramas surrounding the British royal family. However, moving to the US with Meghan Markle, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana, has made it difficult for Prince Harry to see his 95-year-old grandmother. The Duke of Sussex recently attended the Diana statue unveiling on what would've been the late princess' 60th birthday. His brother Prince William was also present at the event. Before the ceremony, many reports suggest that Prince Harry would meet with Queen Elizabeth II. However, it didn't happen as the Prince immediately left the UK less than 24 hours after the event. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II was at Scotland during the ceremony but returned to Kensington the same day. Now, Brits are furious that Prince Harry didn't make time to see or catch up with his grandmother. Some called his action a "major mistake," with one person saying, "Leaving without visiting Her Majesty, the Queen? Where is the loyalty, love and respect?" They also made an example of how Prince Harry also left Prince Philip's funeral less than 24 hours after the ceremony. "Same as at the funeral (of Prince Philip). He couldn't wait a day and see her on her birthday. That's not love or respect." Another person commented, "Having recently lost his grandfather, surely he would take the opportunity to see her." One commenter also compared how Prince Harry would still have a few more years with his Sussex family, while Queen Elizabeth II may not have that much time left. "Hopefully for him his wife and children will be around for years, his grandmother sadly will not." READ ALSO: Queen Elizabeth II Heartbreak: Monarch To Release One Luxury Because Of Its Massive Cost The Duke of Sussex's current relationship with Queen Elizabeth II has so many contradicting reports. However, one confirmed information remains true - that Prince Harry and Prince William are still in the middle of their rift, and it doesn't seem like they'll be making peace with one another soon. A top royal expert revealed no chance the dad of two would reconcile with the future King of Britain while he remains married to Meghan Markle. Angela Levin told talkRADIO, "I think Prince Harry can't do anything without his wife agreeing it and telling him and instructing him what to do at the moment." "If he comes out of that situation things might improve but I think there's no chance if he's married to Meghan." READ MORE: Prince Harry and Prince William Honoring Princess Diana Can Suffer More Heartaches - Here's Why After a rushed and necessary reunion between the brothers Prince William and Prince Harry as they unveiled a statute of their mom Princess Diana, their relationship can be said to have become colder than ever. Some says this is going to be permanent - with Prince William never trusting his younger brother ever again. But why? Prince Harry has rushed in and out of the UK so quickly that people are left wondering what truly happened before and after the statute unveiling. Is that it? Apparently, it is all that Prince William and the rest of the royal family can trust Prince Harry with. They would reportedly rather not entertain him because they don't "trust" him at all. Prince Harry rushing back to the US is also a telltale sign of how he views the palace and vice versa. Prince William now reportedly thinks he could never trust his younger brother to show up for the family anymore, because Harry already lambasted the royals so bad. "It was nothing more, there was nothing to discuss. Things are still far too raw for William and other members of the family to entertain Harry, so it's best to let things lie for the moment," a source told Mirror UK. It remains to be seen whether this is going to be a permenent perspective. ALSO READ: Britney Spears Calls 911 The Night Before Her Conservatorship Hearing - Her Desperate Plea Revealed The two recently reunited to unveil a statute for Princess Diana and were even pictured together during the poignant ceremony. Still, this does not mean Prince William now thinks he and Harry could go back the way they were. According to the same report, the relatives and friends of the brothers are at war as to whether the two could or should even make up. Those particularly close to Diana's family have revealed they are "hopeful" that the two princes will patch things up for good, while others close to the pair say it is "almost impossible for Harry to be trusted." A source claimed, "Despite William and Harry coming together this week for the sole cause of commemorating their mother's legacy, Harry is very much on the outside." It can be remembered that just earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed a senior royal revealed to Oprah the many "injustices" to them. While news outlets have been rife on reports about how the royals reacted, most of these are from insiders. As of the moment, one haven't heard exactly from Prince William what he thinks of his brother now. A reunion for the statute unveiling is not likely to mean those things said have been forgotten.Included in the accusations made were the palace speculating how "dark" their unborn children would be, how Meghan felt so alone and abandoned, even to the point of becoming suicidal. These are not light accusations that the two princes cannot act did not happen. This is probably why Prince Harry reportedly showed signs of unease in the recent reunion. A body language expert Judi James claims Harry was filled with "inner tension" during the unveiling, given hhow he continued to touch and rub his wedding ring. The expert claimed it was a sign that he wasn't feeling comfortable, so he had to constantly remind himself of his wife Meghan Markle and two kids. ALSO READ: Justin Timberlake 'Bought' Forgiveness From Jessica Biel After Cheating on Her? The Truth Tracing the genesis of Germanys apology for genocide in Namibia, this article situates Germany in the context of colonialism and racism in Africa. It contends that Germany is morally guilty of violating human rights but is legally not bound to pay reparations to Namibia. In order to promote humanitarian international law, institutions like the United Nations need to initiate measures to compensate the victims of genocide. The evolution of the historically entangled relationship between Germany and Namibia has witnessed a new milestone. Namibia, situated in South West Africa, was a German colony between 1884 and 2015. On 28 May 2021, Heiko Maas, the German foreign minister, conceded that the German slaughter of Namibians between 1904 and 1908 was a genocide (BBC 2021). Such official acceptance of genocide by Germany is bold because genocide is a contested term in international relations. It was codified into international law through United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crime of Genocide (UNCPPG) in 1948. Article 2 of the convention defines genocide as the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part, through a range of acts, such as killing, mental harm, prevention of births, and forcible transfer of children (UNCPPG 2021). Since 2015, Germany and Namibia have been negotiating a deal regarding their past. However, complete details of the deal are still not in the public domain. Apparently, the deal, which is plausibly meant for domestic politics, has been cleverly crafted because Germany has not committed to any financial reparations. At the same time, two things appear clear about the deal. First, Germany has assured to extend development aid to Namibia worth $1.34 billion over the next 30 years to improve healthcare, training projects and infrastructure (BBC 2021a). Second, while formally acknowledging culpability in genocide, the German President, Frank Walter Steinmeier, will reportedly issue an official apology on behalf of the German state in the Namibian parliament by the end of this year (Economist 2021). By reading rural distress and peasant suicide in Punjabi literature produced in the realist mode, this paper conducts the economic analysis of the fictional small peasantan atomised entity divorced from his land, which is now simply a means of production in a capitalist agrarian market. It reads the production of Gurdial Singhs award-winning novel Adh Chanani Raat (1972) as prophesising the long-term adversities concomitant with the productive excesses of the green revolution in Punjab. The novel argues for a model of heroism rooted in Punjabi social tradition and collective history, which struggles against this alienating influence of capitalist economic forces to find succour in an older way of life. Therefore, this paper attempts to study Gurdial Singhs reworking of peasant consciousness as a narrative of oppression where the small farmer is a heroic figure because of his resilience in the face of inevitable tragedy. Achieving food security for Indias vast populace was a necessity for a welfare-oriented postcolonial nation state in the years following independence. However, famine and droughts in 196465 and 196566, military conflicts in 1947, 1962 and 1965,1 and increasing population resulted in the countrys dependence on food aid from the United States (US) under Public Law (PL)-480 (Sidhu 2002). Despite receiving food aid under the USs Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act (1954), India fell short of the target requirement of 90 million tonnes of foodgrains by 20% (Sidhu 2002). To combat this food scarcity, the Government of India implemented a novel policy of agricultural development based on a technological solution to the countrys chronic food shortages, also known as the green revolution (Sidhu 2002: 3132) that introduced programmes within the existing institutional framework through adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds and a package of cheap subsidised inputs along with provision of credit, assured remunerative prices to farmers and a centralised state sponsored mechanism to mop up food surpluses. (Sidhu 2002: 3132) While ostensibly intending to support small and marginal farmers through a redistribution of resources, the green revolution schemes implemented from the mid-1960s bowed down to the statistical exigencies of increasing agricultural production. They focused on providing resources like high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, etc, to farmers in regions that economically and geographically complied with the requirements of such crops. States with well-developed irrigation mechanisms, adequate soil fertility, access to rural credit, among other factorsnotably Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh inevitably benefited the most. Processes of socio-economic differentiation alter balances of power. This article explores the possibility that the current wave of farmers protests partly reflects a resetting of class alliances in the Indian countryside centred on small farmers and farmer-labourers who now account for over 85% of farming households. It does so by returning to the new farmers movement mobilisations of the 1980s and 1990s, and comparing three key relations between then and now: relations between farmers and the state, between farmers and large capital, and relations within the countryside between larger and smaller farmers and landless labourers. Smaller farmers, it is argued, are now more likely to ally with farmer-labourers and the landless, who are in turn less dependent on larger farmers than they used to be because of the growth of non-agricultural wage labour. The neo-liberal Indian states pro-corporate farm bills mean that contradictions within the countryside are for now overshadowed by external contradictions. And if implemented, they will accelerate processes of socio-economic differentiation in ways that make a new centre of political gravity in the Indian countryside more likely. After two decades on the sidelines, Indian farmers movements are back at the forefront of national politics, dominating the news and unsettling Indias neo-liberal, pro-corporate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. This article locates the current wave of farmers protests in a broader historical context of agrarian political dynamics, and suggests that it may reflect a resetting of class alliances in the Indian countryside with an emerging centre of gravity among small farmers and labourersin contrast to the last major wave of farmers protests a generation ago which was anchored among better-off male farmers who mostly hailed from dominant castes. The farm bills threaten the interests of labourers as well as the bulk of farmers, and particularly smaller farmers. Many smaller farmers have already seen their relative socio-economic position slipa predicament rendered more acute by damaging COVID-19-induced lockdowns, which have also affected rural-based labourers.1 Structurally, the Indian countryside is well set for a broad alliance of less wealthy sections: 79% of rural households and 68.45% of farming households own less than a hectare of land (Table 1). While this is enough for some to get by, most Indian farmers cannot survive from their land alone, and have to work as wage labourers as well. The overlapping economic concerns of labourers, farmer-labourers and struggling smaller farmers who fear the loss of their land have the potential to reset agrarian politics in India, in spite of divisive caste ideologies. Sunday, July 4, 2021 Bill Davy, in his book Let Justice Be Done, writes: (page 100) "Coincidentally, in 1967, a Garrison informant reported that New Orleans FBI agent, Regis Kennedy, had confirmed that 'Shaw was a CIA agent who had done work, of an unspecified nature, over a five year span in Italy.'" And, James DiEugenio recently quoted Davy on Facebook : "Regis Kennedy also knew Shaw worked for the Agency while he was on the Board of Permindex." His source is Davy. Here is the document that they quote: All we know is what Sciambra writes about Parrott's claims about what Kennedy said: "She said that REGIS KENNEDY confirmed to her the fact that CLAY SHAW is a former C.I.A. agent who did some work for the C.I.A in Italy over a five-year span." We have no idea of the context and what Kennedy actually said. What Parrott supposedly claimed is wrong. Shaw was not in Italy over a five-year period. Here is what Don Carpenter says about this in his book, Man of a Million Fragments, a magisterial biography of Clay Shaw: (page 333) "This anecdote is a good example of how information from law enforcement informants, and even well-meaning respectable citizens, contained in official-looking memos, must be analyzed for truthfulness and accuracy. Perhaps Regis Kennedy had actually told Betty Parent such a story, but there is no truth to the assertion that Shaw was a former "CIA agent," or that he spent five years in Italy at any time of his life." Where did the allegation come from? It came from series of article in Paese Sera, a communist-controlled newspaper in Rome, Italy. Here is what they said about Shaw - and this is from translations that are in the Jim Garrison papers: Note that a lot of what is in this report is just plain wrong. Shaw never said that he "accepted the position 'in exchange for two New Orleans-Rome airline tickets.'" Clay Shaw hated to fly and he would only take trains and boats. Second, there is no truth to the claim that "Clay Shaw, by his own admission, came to Rome during the time preceding the disbanding of the CMC." He never visited Rome on Permindex/CMC business. He turned down every request to attend board meetings. Lastly, Shaw did not leave the United States two days after the assassination. He left San Francisco a few days after the assassination and went to Portland, Oregon. He then went to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his friends. Shaw then returned to New Orleans in early December. He spoke to the Chamber of Commerce on December 11th. He did not go to Europe. The Paese Sera stories traveled the globe and appeared in various communist-party newspapers. It even made the mainstream Le Devoir in Montreal, Canada. Here is an article from L'Humanite, the newspaper of the French Communist Party: The article says Shaw spent several years in Rome. Here is a Life Magazine memo with a translation of the article: The claim that Shaw spent several years in Rome mirrors the claim in the Parrott memo. The journal of Richard Billings also mentions the L'Humanite article, and also indicates that Garrison saw the article . Entry for March 22, 1967: Story about Shaw and CIA appears in Humanite, probably March 8 . . . Giant has copy datelined Rome, March 7, from La Presse Italien . . . It explains Shaw working in Rome in '58 to '60 period . . . It all originated from Paese Sera. But, what about Betty Parrott? Well, it turns out that she was not only an informant for Garrison, but she was also an informant for the FBI , under her real name Betty Parent: H ere is another FBI document : And Betty Parrott was even informing the FBI about William Dalzell, with whom she was having a relationship : Parrott also was PCI (Potential Criminal Informant) 949-C : And Parrott was informing the FBI about Garrison's investigation: It seems likely that Betty Parrott heard the report about Clay Shaw living in Rome from people in Garrison's office, and she then asked Regis Kennedy about the article. He probably just told her that he had also seen the report. The so-called confirmation is meaningless, because Shaw had not been in Italy, and there is no evidence that he was a "C.I.A. agent." In an upcoming post, I will be examining so-called evidence that Shaw was a "contract source" for the CIA. Stay tuned. For more information on Paese Sera, click here. By the way, James DiEugenio would never quote from this FBI document : JERUSALEM (AP) A Palestinian human rights lawyer was detained by Israeli forces early Sunday after taking part in a protest in the occupied West Bank against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, his rights group said. The Independent Commission for Human Rights said Farid al-Atrash was detained at an Israeli checkpoint while returning from a protest against the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, where the PA is headquartered. It said al-Atrash was transferred to Israel's Hadassah Hospital. Issa Amro, a prominent Palestinian activist and friend of al-Atrash, said he was released from the hospital hours later and was still being questioned by Israeli authorities. It's unclear why he was hospitalized. Neither the Israeli military nor the police responded to requests for comment. Both Amro and al-Atrash have been arrested by Israel in the past for organizing and taking part in protests against its military occupation of the West Bank. But Amro said al-Atrash had recently focused his efforts on protesting the PA over Nizar Banat, an activist who died shortly after being violently arrested by Palestinian security forces last month. He said another rights lawyer, Mohannad Karajah, who is defending protesters arrested by the PA, was briefly detained by Palestinian authorities on Sunday. Amro himself was detained by the PA last month and held overnight, days before Banat died in custody. The Palestinian Authority does not comment publicly on arrests. Israel and the Palestinian Authority coordinate security in the West Bank in order to suppress Hamas and other militant groups that both view as a threat. That policy is deeply unpopular among Palestinians and is one of several long-standing grievances fueling the recent protests. Thousands of Palestinians have joined demonstrations in recent weeks against the PA, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The PA has grown increasingly unpopular and autocratic in recent years, even as Western countries continue to see it as a key partner in the moribund peace process. VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis reacted well to planned intestinal surgery Sunday evening at a Rome hospital, the Vatican said, without giving much detail about the pontiff's condition. In a statement late Sunday, a Holy See spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said the 84-year-old Francis had general anesthesia during the surgery necessitated by a narrowing of the large intestine. The written statement, which came shortly before midnight, was notable for its scarcity of medical detail. Bruni didnt say how long surgery lasted, nor for how long the pope was unconscious under anesthesia. Also not immediately clear was how long Francis would stay Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, a Catholic hospital, although he was expected to convalesce for a few days in a private 10th floor apartment suite reserved for popes. The Holy Father, admitted in the afternoon to A. Gemelli Polyclinic, underwent in the evening planned surgery for a diverticular stenosis of the sigmoid" portion of the colon, Bruni said in the brief written statement. The Holy Father reacted well to the surgery conducted under general anesthesia, the spokesman said, noting there was a four-person surgical team, plus a four-person anesthesiologist team. A stenosis is an abnormal constriction or narrowing. The sigmoid portion of the large intestine extends from the end of the descending colon to the rectum. Gastroenterologists say the sigmoid segment is a common location for a diverticular stenosis. The main surgeon was Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the director of Gemellis digestive surgery department. Among those present in the operating room was the official papal physician, whom Francis tapped earlier this year. The pope's previous physician had contracted COVID-19 and died at Gemelli while hospitalized for cancer treatment. It was a remarkable end to a day that began publicly for Francis when, during his traditional Sunday appearance to the faithful in St. Peter's Square, he cheerfully announced he would go to Hungary and Slovakia in September. The pope made no mention of his impending surgery, but headed shortly after his window appearance to the hospital. At the end of his public remarks from an Apostolic Palace window, Francis told the crowd: And please, don't forget to pray for me." Then he added, sounding casual, almost wistfully: Thanks, ciao. A couple hours after he was admitted, reportedly arriving with little escort and no fanfare, the Vatican revealed that Francis had been diagnosed with a narrowing in the large intestine. A week earlier, Francis had used his same Sunday appearance to ask the public for special prayers for himself, which may have been related to the planned surgery. I ask you to pray for the pope, pray in a special way, Francis had asked the faithful in the square on June 27. The pope needs your prayers, he said, adding his thanks and saying I know you will do that. A diverticulum is pouch-like protrusion through the muscular wall of the intestine. When diverticula become inflamed a common condition, especially in older people part of the intestine can sometimes narrow and surgery might be required, according to gastroenterologists. Such surgery can be performed under general anesthesia, possibly with a laparoscopic intervention. Sometimes a re-sectioning of the affected part of the intestine is needed. Francis is in generally good health, but he did have part of one lung removed as a young man. He also suffers from sciatica, in which a nerve affects the lower back and leg, a painful condition that has forced him at times to skip scheduled appearances. The pope had a particularly demanding set of appointments last week, including celebrating a Mass on Tuesday to mark the Catholic feast day honoring Saints Peter and Paul, and later in the week, presiding at a special prayer service for Lebanon. On June 28, he also had a long private audience at the Vatican with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Throughout all those engagements, Francis appeared to be in good spirits. Get-well wishes began arriving immediately for Francis. Italian President Sergio Mattarella, as soon as he landed in Paris for a state visit in France, offered an affectionate thought on behalf of all Italians. Mattarella said he was wishing for "a good convalescence and even a speedier recovery for the pope. Gemelli doctors have performed surgery before on popes, notably Pope John Paul II, who had what the Vatican said was a benign tumor in his colon removed in 1992. John Paul had several other surgeries at the hospital, including after being shot by a gunman in St. Peter's Square in 1981. After those surgeries, the Vatican and hospital officials gave detailed accounts of the pope's medical condition. John Paul also had several medical issues in his final years, including severe complications from Parkinson's disease, and had numerous stays at Gemelli. At one point, the future St. John Paul II dubbed the hospital the third Vatican, after Vatican City and the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. WASHINGTON (AP) Congressional Democrats are facing renewed pressure to pass legislation that would protect voting rights after a Supreme Court ruling Thursday made it harder to challenge Republican efforts to limit ballot access in many states. The 6-3 ruling on a case out of Arizona was the second time in a decade that conservatives on the Supreme Court have weakened components of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark Civil Rights-era law. But this opinion was released in a much different political climate, in the aftermath of President Donald Trump's lie that last year's election was stolen. Trump's fabrications spurred Republicans in states such as Georgia and Florida to pass tougher rules on voting under the cloak of election integrity. Democrats on Capitol Hill have already tried to respond with a sweeping voting and elections bill that Senate Republicans united to block last week. A separate bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore sections of the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court previously weakened, has been similarly dismissed by most Republicans. Those setbacks, combined with the Supreme Court's decision, have fueled a sense of urgency among Democrats to act while they still have narrow majorities in the House and Senate. But passing voting legislation at this point would almost certainly require changes to the filibuster, allowing Democrats to act without GOP support. Absolutely this increases the pressure to take a very hard look at whether the Senate is an institution that will allow itself to be rendered powerless and dysfunctional, said Rep. John Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat who sponsored a voting bill that passed the House in March. Change won't be easy. A group of moderate Democratic senators, including Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, have ruled out revisions to the filibuster. In an evenly divided Senate, their rejection denies the votes needed to move forward with a procedural change. Thursday's ruling was on a case in Sinemas home state. In an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito, the court reversed an appellate ruling in deciding that Arizonas regulations on who can return early ballots for another person and on refusing to count ballots cast in the wrong precinct are not racially discriminatory. Sinema assailed the decision in a statement, saying it would hurt Arizonans ability to make their voices heard at the ballot box." She reiterated her support for the bill yet said nothing about her opposition to the filibuster changes. That opposition stands in the way of the bill passing. Democrats, who say the issue is an existential one for democracy and who need the support of voters of color in next year's midterms, quickly condemned the decision. If you believe in open and fair democracy and the principle of one person, one vote, today is one of the darkest days in all of the Supreme Courts history," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the ruling an unprecedented assault that greenlights the brutal, accelerating campaign of voter suppression. Speaking in Florida, President Joe Biden said he would have "much more to say" soon, but largely sidestepped comment. For their part, Republicans show no sign of willingness to engage with Democrats on the issue. The states created the federal government, and its not up to Chuck or Nancy or anyone else in Washington, D.C., to tell Arizona or anyone else how they should conduct an election," Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who was a party in the case, said on Fox News. Many Republicans other have dismissed a series of recent hearings on the John Lewis bill as theater. They are using this issue because they see a political opportunity," said Rep. Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who sits on the House Judiciary Committee. The more they advance this narrative that its us versus them, and oppressors versus the oppressed, and black versus white, it divides the country. Questions hang over existing lawsuits challenging voting laws. While experts generally agree that Thursdays decision will make legal challenges under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act more difficult, many of the lawsuits pending against GOP-backed laws this year make separate, constitutional claims. So those lawsuits will proceed. The U.S. Justice Department's recent lawsuit against Georgias new voting law does make a Section 2 challenge, although it was narrowly written and alleges an intent by Republican state lawmakers to discriminate against minority voters. In the Arizona case, the legal challenge centered on whether there was a discriminatory effect of the laws. Still, advocates of voting rights protections were surprised by the breadth of the ruling. This ruling is much worse than we had anticipated, said Wendy Weiser, an attorney for the Brennan Center for Justice. "This is going to put a lot of pressure on Congress and the White House to pass the voting bills. And it could embolden more Republican-led states to pursue further restrictions. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, who supports the ruling, said: States can be confident that they can go full speed ahead to strengthen elections and protect voting rights with security measures such as voter ID and other sensible measures to make it harder to steal elections." 2 1 of 2 21 Pro Video Show More Show Less 2 of 2 21 Pro Video Show More Show Less Three people died in a head-on crash on Interstate 35 early Sunday after one of the vehicles involved fled from the scene of a downtown shooting, officials said. San Antonio police officers called to the intersection of North St. Marys and East Martin streets around 2 a.m. for a reported shooting heard gunshots coming from a Ford F-150 with two people in it, police said. Juan Jesus Trevino Singhs Vietnamese, a popular fusion restaurant on the St. Marys strip north of downtown, was damaged early Sunday when a man crashed his car into it. The man was reported driving on North St. Marys Street at high speeds around 2 a.m. and ran a stop sign before slamming into the restaurant, according to reports. A soldier recently was reported missing from Fort Hood, and days later the Army post tracked him down in San Antonio. Alive and well, Spc. Abram Salas II had left on his own, not because of foul play. For failing to report for duty, after more than 24 hours he normally would have been listed as absent without leave, or AWOL. But the policy changed late last year. Going AWOL isnt rare it happened 117 times at Fort Hood last year and as a violation of the military justice system, it can result in a disciplinary hearing and a range of penalties. But Fort Hood has classified Salas and every other soldier who has gone missing since December as absent-unknown for 48 hours under a change put in place after the disappearance and death last year of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. Although some eventually will be classified as AWOL, that has happened only 31 times in the first half of 2021, slightly more than a quarter of last years total, suggesting a more lenient threshold is now in place. It shows a more concerned approach to the problem, which translates to leaders and military officials being more engaged in locating missing soldiers, Fort Hood spokesman Tyler Broadway said. On ExpressNews.com: Army now says Guillen was sexually harassed, but her leaders didnt investigate When Salas failed to report for duty June 23, the post immediately alerted local and Texas law enforcement agencies. It issued news releases complete with photos of Salas, 21, of El Paso, and his car and license plate information. Commanders kept his parents in the loop. The handling of Salas disappearance, and even the news media attention it drew, signaled just how much has changed since Guillen, 20, of Houston, vanished from her 3rd Cavalry Regiments engineer squadron headquarters and was found dead months later. Outrage over her fate sparked international headlines, a command shakeup at Fort Hood and changes to procedures governing missing soldiers and sexual harassment and assault complaints. Fort Hoods acting commander at the time, Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, was among more than a dozen leaders who were suspended or removed from their jobs last December. An outside investigation found a deficient climate that raised risks for female soldiers on the post. The Armys Criminal Investigation Command earlier this year said it would replace its top leader, Maj. Gen. Donna Martin, though the Army said that was unrelated to the fallout at Fort Hood. The Army now has a more standardized process in searching for soldiers and in some cases accelerates the timing of it. Then-Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy unveiled the policy Dec. 8, signing a directive clarifying expectations and responsibilities of unit commanders and Army law enforcement to focus on the first 48 hours after a soldier fails to report for duty. The new duty status code, absent-unknown, or AUN, gives commanders time to make an appropriate determination of an absent soldiers status. After that, it can change to AWOL. The new status is to be applied for at least two days, but Salas case is a unique situation because he contacted his leadership, so he might not be branded AWOL at all, said Maj. Gabby Thompson, deputy III Corps spokeswoman at Fort Hood. He was still listed as absent-unknown a full week after leaving the post without permission. Exactly why Salas, a cavalry scout who was described as a good soldier, left the post, we dont know at this point, Thompson said last week. Commanders, who reached out to family and friends, said an initial investigation indicated that he left Fort Hood for unknown reasons on his own accord. Were giving him the benefit of the doubt that he is coming to Fort Hood, she said, declining to say if Salas will face disciplinary action. His unit leadership has not initiated any sort of nonjudicial punishment against him. On ExpressNews.com: Volunteer searchers check Central Texas fields and woods, looking for signs of missing GI Nonjudicial punishment can range from letters of admonishment and reprimand to losing rank. If commanders cant determine that the absence is voluntary, they are to classify absent personnel as missing and initiate a duty status whereabouts unknown casualty case. Thats called a DUSTWUN, and the Army provides a liaison officer to the soldiers family while searching for the missing GI. The changes in policy have their roots in widespread criticism of how the post handled Guillens disappearance. As authorities sought to find her last spring and summer, her family lambasted Fort Hoods leaders, saying they didnt respond as quickly or as aggressively as they could. Guillen was bludgeoned to death April 22, 2020, by Spc. Aaron David Robinson. Her remains were found June 30 miles from Fort Hood, and Robinson killed himself as police confronted him in Killeen. Authorities have accused his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, as an accomplice, and she is in jail awaiting a federal trial. On ExpressNews.com: So outrageous: Vanessa Guillens murder has made a key military justice reform more likely Fort Hood started a search the day after Guillen disappeared and contacted its Criminal Investigation Command as well as local authorities. A nonprofit Dickinson-based group, Texas EquuSearch, helped scour the countryside both on and off the post last summer. Of the 117 listed as AWOL last year, 113 returned to Fort Hood. Another 33 were listed as deserted, including some who left the post the previous year. So far this year, the 31 soldiers listed as AWOL all have returned to the post. Another eight have been classified as deserters. sigc@express-news.net Fourth of July kicked off a day early on the North Side. Dozens of families dressed in red, white and blue gathered Saturday morning at the parking lot of the Northwood Presbyterian Church, ready to march in the 25th annual Oak Park-Northwood Fourth of July Neighborhood Parade. Participants were greeted with music from the Alamo City Pipes and Drums while volunteers set up stations where children could paint pictures, play with water guns, compete in cornhole and even get some removable tattoos. The festivities kicked off shortly before 9 a.m. as families filled the parking lot with strollers and wagons carrying small children and pets. Some of the older children pulled their own weight on bikes and scooters most of them appropriately decorated with flags, balloon and themed tissue paper. It was the grand return of the neighborhood tradition that like most public celebrations was forced to take a break in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Didnt mostly everybody miss it? asked Jackson Miller, a 7-year-old who participated in the parade this year along with his parents, Mike and Lisa Miller, and 5-year-old brother Eli. Its kinda like a tradition for my family. We go to the parade almost every year. Matthew Busch /Contributor The family has participated since they moved into the neighborhood in 2009, his father said. Last year, they opted for a small family bike ride around the neighborhood to commemorate the parade. The event was organized by the neighborhood association, which represents about 4,300 area homes. Preparations started in May, once it was clear that vaccination rates were increasing and COVID-19 cases were dropping, said Gina Galaviz Eisenberg, president of the associations board of directors. We started putting together flyers, banners and spreading the word about the parade, Galaviz Eisenberg said, adding that the goal was to have families reconnect safely outdoors and give them a sense of normalcy. Its important to have community and its important to have each other. Matthew Busch /Contributor About 400 people attended this year, she said, similar to past years. The event officially started with a prayer, the presentation of colors by Jackson and Cub Scout Pack 345, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and words from area residents and elected officials, including City Councilman Clayton Perry and County Commissioner Trish DeBerry. Sponsors including Clean My Bins, H-E-B, Las Palapas and Kona Ice gave out tacos, water bottles and shaved ice, while attendees waited for the big signal to start walking in tandem through the streets, escorted by Precinct 3 Bexar County constables. By 9:30 a.m. after a few warnings for people to take their places the parade got underway. At the back of the crowd was Teena Larson, 68. She had transformed a tricycle into a hot dog cart fitted with an umbrella, a hot dog box and a basket holding her dog Hershey, who played the most important role: the hot dog. We always like to hang back and be the last ones so that we can go slow and go from one side of the street to the other to visit with people along the way, she said. As some families walked, biked or rolled through the adjacent streets, others took their places on the side of the road, coming out of their houses to wave at the parade participants. One person added a musical component, playing a trombone as the parade marched by. Matthew Busch /Contributor I kind of feel like its our civic responsibility to support the parade, said Bebe Casey, who sat on the side of the road with her parents, Joe and Marilyn Jones, cheering on her husband, Brian Casey, and 10-year-old daughter Erin, who walked by. The family has been participating for about seven years. After missing out on it last year, the family was excited to hear the event was back, Bebe Casey said. We thought it was time. Its absolutely time. This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Gina Galaviz Eisenberg. danya.perez@express-news.net ZAPATA COUNTY What sold Gerardo Vargas on buying a ranch in Zapata County along the Rio Grande was the view from two 45-foot-tall cliffs that stood on a 250-acre property, offering a view of both the river and the distant mountains around Monterrey more than 100 miles away. From those cliffs, Vargas said he could hear fish splashing in the river and sometimes, someone on the Mexico side would be fishing and offer a friendly wave. Because the cliffs faced west, Vargas said, they offered a view of a perfect sunset. But near the end of Donald Trumps presidency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to pave a road as part of border wall construction on Vargas ranch and bulldozed one of the cliffs. The construction also uprooted many of the old, tall mesquite trees on his property. When President Joe Biden took office, construction on Vargas land stopped before any part of the wall was erected and he was relieved that he still had one cliff left. Earlier this month, however, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Texas intends to build its own border wall to stem what he called a tidal wave of illegal immigrants coming across the border, wreaking havoc in communities and residents who live here in Texas. Abbott issued a disaster declaration on May 31 at a news conference in Fort Worth, then announced that the state will set aside $250 million to help build the wall; federal lawmakers have said building parts of the Texas border wall would cost at least $26.5 million per mile. President Bidens reckless open border politics have led to a crisis along our southern border, said Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott, adding that the governors action was justified because of a 20-year record high of migrants crossing the border. But the plan has reignited opposition from many South Texas landowners like Vargas who dont want a wall cutting through their properties. Now, the fight is with their state authorities rather than the federal government; and, like every wall, there are two sides to the argument. In Zapata County and other border counties areas that were once reliably Democratic strongholds Trump made significant gains in last years election, and the border wall has become a focal point of local tension between those who support wall construction and others who dont see the need for it. Weve been fighting the federal government; were not just going to roll over and give up now, said Elsa Hull, who owns a 3-acre ranch in San Ygnacio, a Zapata County town of fewer than 700 residents. But what kind of governor is that, you know? To take peoples homes and businesses and farms and ranches away from them. That is not a governor for the people by any means. Hull is one of six plaintiffs in a 2019 lawsuit against construction of Trumps proposed border wall. The suit has been put on hold since the Biden administration took office and froze border wall construction funding. It was one of several lawsuits by South Texas landowners challenging Trumps wall. Hull has lived on her ranch next to the Rio Grande with her two daughters for a couple of decades now and doesnt agree that the Texas side of the river is unsafe. As someone who monitors the rivers water quality for a living, she works along a 300-mile stretch of the Rio Grande from Del Rio to Zapata County and is often alone in remote areas. I have never once been in fear of my safety or the safety of my children, Hull said. People here do not bother us. They are not running rampant through the areas like in (the TV series) Breaking Bad. Nothing, nothing in 20 years. Very close encounters Other landowners, however, said they find comfort and relief in Abbotts plan. Allison Anderson moved to a 20-acre ranch in Del Rio about a year ago, hoping to find a safe place to raise her young daughters, ages 5, 3 and 1, but she said, within the last eight months or so, it has just gotten so bad here since the (presidential) administrations changed. Anderson, 38, said she was outside with her daughters one April afternoon to feed their livestock when she saw a fleet of state trooper vehicles dash through her property. She said she scooped up her girls and ran to the house for cover while a helicopter circled above their home as her daughters peeked through the window. She later learned from her husband, who is a Border Patrol agent, that four immigrants had been hiding somewhere on their property; only one was apprehended that afternoon, she said. It wasnt the first time migrants have crossed their property, Anderson said. Ive had several very close encounters where men were either acting aggressively toward me or actually rush at me out of the brush, Anderson said. It got to the point where I was not sleeping anymore, and it was affecting me dramatically on a mental level, where I was terrified to leave the house to do anything because I was worried about my kids safety. Lanny Mecum, who is 77 and owns more than 10,000 acres of land along the river in Zapata, said shes grateful Abbott has grabbed the baton to build a border wall. Mecums ranch was passed down to her from her grandfather, and said she supports a border wall because she sees all the fine Border Patrol river riders, government people that work down in that area are just overwhelmed trying to save lives. Abbott noted that in the first four months of this year, the Texas Department of Public Safety seized 137 grams of fentanyl, a highly addictive drug, compared with 52 grams in all of 2002. Apprehensions of migrants at the states southwest border are already nearly double that of last years record. Mecum said she was OK with losing a few acres to get (a border wall) completed Im older and I would be glad if before I leave here, I would love to see that project taken care of to help South Texas. Checks and balances South Texas has been a reliably Democratic area for generations, but in the 2020 presidential election, the Rio Grande Valley and neighboring border counties all voted more Republican compared with previous presidential elections. For example, Trump finished 23 percentage points higher in Hidalgo County last year versus 2016, while neighboring Starr County gave Trump 55 percent more of its votes. Biden still won both counties. But Trump flipped Zapata County in 2020, winning with 52 percent of the vote; in 2016, Hillary Clinton won the county by 33 percentage points. Adrienne Pena-Garza, the Republican Party chair in Hidalgo County, applauds Abbotts initiative to carry on wall construction, calling it a step toward restoring law and order. Texas is trying to take matters into its own hands because theyre noticing that the federal government is not doing enough of a job to get things done, Pena-Garza said. Its important to have checks and balances; its important to have people come legally; its important to do the right thing, and I believe that this is what our governor is trying to do. Pena-Garza said more border security provides more safety not only for border residents and Border Patrol agents, but for the families that are coming across. We need to be encouraging legal migration. I think that its wonderful that people want to come to America, but we need to do it safely and legally. Immigration advocates such as Laredo attorney Carlos Flores, however, say the path to citizenship is too complicated and cumbersome for those seeking refuge from countries struggling with civil war or ongoing drug cartel violence. Flores said it can take years for an immigrant to receive a green card, or permanent residency, and that there is just no time when you are put in these kinds of dangerous situations these people are facing. Slap in the face Abbott hasnt released detailed plans or a timetable for the proposed border wall yet, but any construction that isnt on government-owned land will require seizing private land through eminent domain, which is the power of governments to seize private property without the owners consent. It would be the greatest land grab in modern American history, said Flores, who sued Trump and the acting heads of the U.S Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol last year, claiming that Trumps motive to build the border wall was grounded in racism and politics, making it an unconstitutional use of eminent domain. Flores filed suit on behalf of Melissa Cigarroa, who owns a 175-acre ranch in Zapata County, and Christopher Rincon, the executive director of the San Ygnacio-based River Pierce Foundation, an organization that strives to preserve the colonial character of the town. The lawsuit was put on hold after Trumps loss last year, and Flores said hes waiting for more details from Abbott before deciding whether to file a new lawsuit over the proposed Texas wall. Were an area that is very proud of our culture, and our culture is largely tied to being part of the Mexican American identity and the river and the border, Flores said. And so what Greg Abbott has done is he has betrayed the people of South Texas with this announcement. It is no question a slap in the face to our communities. Trumps wall would have taken some of the land near three of the Pierce Foundations buildings along the river: the Rickes house, the Uribe Chico House and the Trevino-Uribe Rancho which was built in 1930, making it the oldest surviving building from the period of Spanish settlement on the north bank of the Rio Grande. The buildings contributed to San Ygnacios designation as a National Registered District in 1973. Were losing more than just land, were losing history and stories, Rincon said. Cigarroa is the board president of the Rio Grande International Study Center, and said she is concerned about how wall construction would affect wildlife and water quality of the Rio Grande. Cutting new roads near the river would cause runoff and dump silt into the river, she said. Trumps proposed border wall would have been built 200 feet north of the river and cut a swath through Cigarroas land, she said. For her, the thought of being cut off from the river is soul crushing because she bought the land with the vision of her five children who are currently in college raising their own families in a place thats so full and vibrant and rich and respectful of this international border and the only way that could happen is if were not considered a prison colony with a stupid barrier along our border. Hull said shes also concerned about how a wall will affect the wildlife that depends on access to the river. She said around dusk one day a couple of weeks ago, she was sitting in her backyard, looking at the Rio Grande, when a curious bobcat came within 3 feet of where she was sitting. It watched her for a while before disappearing to the brush. Its just heartbreaking to imagine this being destroyed for something just so useless and is just part of a political game, she said. Its just so heartbreaking and frustrating and infuriating. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. The truth died with the heroes of the Alamo. Forget the Alamo a new history by Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson and Jason Stanford paints a different portrait of the siege than the one we read in our seventh-grade history textbooks. The picture is darker, uglier, with the heroes portrayed as far from heroic, their motives colored by greed and racism. We have seen glimpses of this revisionism before, through scholarly books and articles, but this may be the fullest portrait yet, buttressed by extensive research and exploration. what did the Mexicans want to take? the authors ask. It wasnt the cotton. Or the land it was grown on. It was the third leg of the Texas economic stool, the property in which Texas farmers had invested more money, more working capital than any other. The slaves. Mexico, burdened by memories of the oppressive Spanish government it had overthrown, outlawed slavery in 1829 - seven years before the battle. An economic issue for the Americans, it was a moral issue for the Mexicans. And they would not allow it. We are ruined forever a Nacogdoches settler wrote of the impending decree freeing the slaves. The authors call the fabricated tale the story of valiant warriors fighting for liberty and justice the Heroic Anglo Narrative. It is rank with the stink of lies and deceptions. The main characters in this story Jim Bowie, William Travis and Davy Crockett were not the heroes generations have come to know and admire. They were flawed and, in some cases, immoral Bowie a seasoned swindler; Travis a haughty and humorless slave trader; Crockett an ineffective politician with a penchant for drink and tall tales. All underwent a great transformation not through any monumental conversion on their part, but through the monumental power of myth-making. They became heroes. Through a kind of historical paramilitary unit, the myth-makers have cut down the naysayers who, armed with the truth, are nevertheless outgunned, just like the heroes whose images they seek to correct. Facts are no match for propaganda. Especially when the propagandists, bolstered by decades of lies, consider themselves truth-tellers. The heroes did fight for freedom and democracy, but only if you were white and only if your freedom entailed denying that same freedom to others. It was, after all, your birthright, decreed by your skin color. But if you were brown or Black? Liberty was not in your DNA. The Heroic Anglo Narrative started with the end of the 13-day battle in March 1936. Each subsequent retelling of that story, including the 1960 John Wayne movie, was built on a lie, and the lie grew and grew until it became truth. No, it became something stronger than truth; it became myth, growing more substantial as the years progressed, because the only thing that sustains a lie is a populace that believes it. It could have been a tale of folly rivaling the lunacy at the Battle of Little Bighorn, but other American rebels saw the value of myth-making. It is all there the valor and sacrifice, the glory worthy of Homer. The moment the battle ended, the Alamo became a story, and a story told in times of war can be a powerful thing, the authors write. It becomes propaganda, and in this way can be viewed almost as a weaponized virus, something that can be contained or spread, something that can trigger panic or destroy an enemys morale, even prompt defections. Today, almost two centuries after the battle, do we draw our own line in the sand, truth on one side, myth on the other? We are doing it now. It is part of our ugly cultural and political divide. Is the Alamo tale a lie? Almost certainly. But people who are unconvinced will remain unconvinced until the last revisionist historian has discarded his or her pen in disgust. That is their right. They can believe what they want to believe. But, whatever version of history they believe, they should, at least, give the other side a listen. Robert Seltzer is a former member of the Express-News Editorial Board. He is the author of Amado Muro and Me: A Tale of Honesty and Deception. Allen West, the former Army colonel, Florida congressman and Texas Republican Party chairman, announced Sunday he would challenge Gov. Greg Abbott in next years primary. West, 60, broke the news while speaking to the congregation of Sojourn Church in Carrollton, north of Dallas. In a seven-minute video he played for the group, West said he wanted to support energy independence, enhance border security and combat sex trafficking. I have not been an elected official for over a decade, but I cannot sit on the sidelines and see what is happening in these United States of America, what is happening in the place that I call home, West said. Speculation grew that West would seek statewide office when he stepped down as head of the state Republican Party in June, after just 11 months on the job. In his brief but combative tenure, West attacked leaders of his own party, including Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. He was especially critical of how the governor handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and spoke at an October rally in Austin calling on Abbott to end pandemic-related restrictions. MORE: Allen West resigns as Texas GOP chairman after just 11 months Last years general election the only major contest during Wests term was a successful one for Republicans, however. The GOP successfully defended all of its seats in the Legislature and beat back an effort by Democrats to poach seats in Congress. Abbott is seeking a third term as Texas governor next year. Former state senator Don Huffhines has also joined the Republican primary. West is seeking to convince voters he is more conservative than Abbott, said University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus. That will be a challenge, though, because Abbott signed a number of far-right bills passed by the Legislature, including new restrictions on abortion. The governor also just toured the U.S.-Mexico border with former President Donald Trump, who also has endorsed Abbott. Allen West wants to position himself to the right of Gov. Abbott, but thats a challenge, generally and specifically, after this very conservative session, Rottinghaus said. Its a long shot, no matter how you cut it, for West. West represented Floridas 22nd Congressional District from 2011 to 2013. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 2004. A native of Georgia who attended college in Tennessee, he highlighted the careers of several Southerners who resettled in Texas, including Sam Houston, William B. Travis and James Fannin. British Sugar has launched a legal challenge over the government's decision to allow 260,00 tonne tariff-free quota of raw cane sugar to enter the UK. An autonomous tariff rate quota (ATQ) of 260,000 tonnes for raw cane sugar imported into the UK applied from January as part of the new post-Brexit UK Global Tariff. ATQs allow imports up to a given quantity of a good to come in at a lower or zero tariff for a specified period of time. The NFU reacted to the development at the time with 'serious concerns', warning that such imports were grown to production standards that would be illegal in the UK. The union added that the quota would 'undermine thousands of UK sugar beet growers', and 'seriously jeopardise the viability of the home-grown crop'. Now the High Court has agreed that the government's decision could be subject to a judicial review, according to The Financial Times. The case has been brought by British Sugar against the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss. In submissions seen by the FT, British Sugar argued that the decision amounted to a state subsidy for its rival, US-owned Tate & Lyle Sugars, because it is the only main refiner of cane sugar in the UK. British Sugar's lawyers also said that the effective 'subsidy' would also unfairly undercut sugar producers in the European Union, who export 500,000 tonnes of sugar to the UK. They also argued that it could be in breach of the Northern Ireland protocol and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). In its submission to the court, the government said that British Sugars arguments were 'ambitious and counter-intuitive'. If the claimant were right, the UK government would have to consider notifying each and every element of its global tariff regime to the European Commission as a potential state aid, the government said. This Saturday, the selection of Colombia achieved a suffered pass to the semifinal of the Glass America 2020, did it after a dramatic batch of penal in front of Uruguay in the National Stadium Mane Garrincha. The commitment, in which Luis Suarez did not have a lot of importance along the 90 minutes, finished equalised to zeros and everything defined through a round of penal, where the guardameta David Ospina was the star of the party when cutting across two shots of the charruas. The course of the party was as it expected , very tightened in the half of the field for both teams, being the picture cafetero the one who dared more to the hour to launch to the attack. By his part, the Celestial did not betray his style, defended of very good way thanks to his tactical order and no desaprovecho the opportunities to generate danger The first part of the appointment was very litigated, but the arrivals were very few during the first 45 minutes of the corresponding party to the quarter-finals of the Glass America in Brazil. The selections went to the rest without attaining hurt and with the marker in zero. The second half For the second time of the party between Colombians and Uruguayans the intensity went up inside the terrain of game. The Colombian archer, David Ospina was constantly besieged by the Uruguayans, so much that in a played had to be attended because of a big diverted afterwards of a centre fulminante by the right side. Nevertheless, the guardameta Uruguayan, Fernando Muslera, neither can say that had a second half relaxed. Since constantly, the selection cafetera did not remain backwards in what it attack refers during the appointment. The teams tried to go in command of the marker along all the party, but afterwards to defend to death his goals, and to look for without success the first so much to obtain the victory, had to go until the batch of the penal for like this define to the third finalist of the Glass America 2020. The penal In the collections from the eleven steps the pressure was to the maximum and here appeared the figure of David Ospina, the guardameta Colombian put the layer of hero and cut across two of the four penal that earned Uruguay, first detained the one of Jose Maria Gimenez and afterwards detained another shot of Matias Vineyard. Like this the party remained sentenced. The next party Now that Argentina attained to win to Ecuador 3-0, the party of the semifinal will confront to the selection of Colombia and to the albiceleste and like this will define which of the two teams will obtain a place in the final of the referred tournament. Image: ShutterstockWith the innumerable trends and advancements in beauty and skincare, its hard to keep track of all thats new. But thats where we come in to help you! Youve certainly heard of, and maybe even tried, retinol a known vitamin A derivative that helps reduce early signs of ageing. However, it has some major drawbacks such as skin irritation, redness and sensitivity. It is also unsafe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dermatologists often advise women to discontinue retinol usage in these times.The good news is, we have a natural, plant-based alternative to retinol. Thats right, known as bakuchiol, this new skincare ingredient on the block is extracted from the leaves and seeds of the Babchi plant. Dr Ajay Rana, dermatologist and aesthetic physician, says, Bakuchiol has come as an alternative to retinol. Now with social media and exposure to the outside world, bakuchiol has been gaining popularity. Various researches have shown that its benefits are similar to that of retinol, but without any side effects. Assisted By: Siddharth Sinh (Team MG), Anshu Choksi, Jigar Parikh; Stylist: Vikram Seth; Styling Assistant: Anshu Choksi, Vismit Patel Assisted By: Siddharth Sinh (Team MG), Anshu Choksi, Jigar Parikh; Stylist: Vikram Seth; Styling Assistant: Anshu Choksi, Vismit Patel Assisted By: Siddharth Sinh (Team MG), Anshu Choksi; Stylist: Vikram Seth; Styling Assistant: Anshu Choksi; Makeup And Hair: Ruta Patel Assisted By: Siddharth Sinh (Team MG), Anshu Choksi; Stylist: Vikram Seth; Styling Assistant: Anshu Choksi; Makeup And Hair: Ulupi Parikh Assisted By: Siddharth Sinh (Team MG), Anshu Choksi, Jigar Parikh; Stylist: Vikram Seth; Styling Assistant: Anshu Choksi; Makeup And Hair: Ruta Patel Feel at your powerful best in high heels or a double-breasted blazer? Well, thats power dressing for you! A fashion style that originated in the late 70s and developed in the 80s, power dressing was all about enabling women to establish their authority in environments traditionally dominated by men. While that remains the motto today too, the bold style allows women to express their confidence, strength, and position through their fashion choices.Ahmedabad-based event curator and fashion enthusiast Krunal Parekh had recently conceptualised a power dressing shoot, featuring fashionable womenpreneurs from the city. He says, Im an enthusiastic overachiever when it comes to fashion. To me, it means showcasing my personality through dressing classy paired with spunk and a subtle attitude. Im always up for experimenting with style, cuts and fabrics, and an array of accessories. The idea behind conceptualising this shoot was to showcase the powerful and strong personalities of new age women while also staying in touch with their feminine side.Check out the awesome pictures clicked by fashion photographer and director Maul Gohel.Shefali Patel, Director, Belgium Waffles, wears a double-breasted black coat paired with a printed shirt and a buckle belt, black formal pants, and studded stilettos.Sejal Pravin Purohit, Founder, Seven Springs, shows how to do statement dressing right, clad head-to-toe in white, accessorised with a baby pink bow and pocket square, and a gold lapel pin. A white over coat and brown boots complete the powerful silhouette.Vaidehi Patel, Founder, Vaidehi Patel Fine Jewellery, flaunts an ivory crochet three-piece suit minimally styled with a beautiful pearl necklace.Roopal Shah, Founder, Cappuccino looks fierce in an all-black suit with black gloves for a hint of attitude.Priyanshi Patel, Director, Tirupati, slays in a blue suit paired with a white shirt and bold red stilettos. - The Royal Mint celebrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on official UK coin in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum - The commemorative 5 crown, featuring Alice and the Cheshire Cat, is inspired by Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations and is available from today at The Royal Mint - Part of a two-coin collectors' series, the Through the Looking-Glass 5 crown will be released later this year, to mark 150 years of the same title - To mark the collaboration with the V&A, the coins were unveiled alongside Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations at the museum's Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition in London Download high-res images of the commemorative coins, including photography with the original illustrations: HERE Download B-roll footage from the Victoria and Albert Museum interview with Curator Kate BaileyHERE Download B-roll of interviews with The Royal Mint designer Ffion Gwillim and Sculptor Emma Noble HERE LONDON, July 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Royal Mint has today unveiled the first official Alice's Adventures in Wonderland coin collection inspired by the much-loved illustrations of the original book. In collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, the special 5 crown featuring Alice and the Cheshire Cat is available from today. The coin was revealed alongside the original illustrations by Sir John Tenniel at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the world's leading museum of art, design and performance. Made by the Original Maker of UK coins, the 5 crown provides an ideal canvas immortalising the iconic illustrations in vivid detail and colour, using traditional minting techniques and innovative design technology. Featuring the edge inscription "Curiouser and Curiouser," the intricate design is one of the most detailed coins produced by the 1,100-year-old Makers. Launched in base metal (known as brilliant uncirculated), and also available in gold and silver, the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland keepsake is part of a two-coin collectors' range created by The Royal Mint Designer Ffion Gwillim and Sculptor Emma Noble. The second coin, featuring Tweedledum and Tweedledee, will launch later this summer in celebration of 150 years of Through the Looking-Glass - the sequel to the original Lewis Carroll book. Much like the popularity of coin collecting, the treasured tales have passed the test of time - currently the second most searched children's book in the UK on Google. Clare Maclennan Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a true classic, cherished by generations of adults and children of all ages and is still as popular today. In collaboration with the V&A, we have commemorated this treasured tale for the first time on an official UK coin. "Inspired by Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations, the beautiful 5 crown has been crafted to the finest quality, combining traditional minting skills with innovation in design technology. I'm sure the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland range will become a popular choice for collectors, capturing the imagination of people of all ages, launching at the awe-inspiring Victoria and Albert Museum during the 150th anniversary of Through the Looking-Glass is a fitting celebration." Amelia Calver, Research and Development Manager, V&A Brand Licensing, commented: "We're delighted to be celebrating the global phenomenon beloved by all ages, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, with the 2021 commemorative coins. The designs masterfully capture the charm of Tenniel's original illustrations and pay homage to some of the Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass characters that Alice meets along the way. The 2021 coins are set to give fans the chance to add to their existing collections and inspire new readers of the book to discover the magic of Carroll's stories and embark on wondrous journeys of their own." More information about the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland commemorative coin collection is available at The Royal Mint website. Images Please note that copyright protects these assets. They may only be used for editorial purposes and cannot be sold or used for other marketing purposes without the permission of The Royal Mint or the V&A. The Royal Mint Victoria and Albert Museum, London About The Royal Mint The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,100 years. Based in the Tower of London for over 500 years, by 1812 The Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London's Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in South Wales, UK, to accommodate the minting of UK decimal coinage. Today, The Royal Mint is the world's largest export mint, supplying coins to the UK and overseas countries. The Royal Mint has also diversified into a number of other complementary businesses, building on the values that have been at the heart of the organisation throughout its history - authenticity, security, precious metals, craftsmanship and design: Precious Metals Throughout history The Royal Mint's name has been synonymous with precious metals and bullion. The organisation trades physical and digital precious metal worldwide and has a global network of distributor partners. Consumer coin division The organisation runs a thriving commemorative coin business, gifting, and a collector services division retailing historic coins, an authentication and valuation service and secure storage. The Royal Mint Experience The Royal Mint entered the tourism business in 2016 when it opened its popular visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, at its home in Llantrisant, South Wales. The attraction welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year. About the V&A The Victoria and Albert Museum, London (V&A) is the world's leading museum of art, design and performance with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity, spanning 5000 years of human creativity. It was established in 1852 to make works of art available to all and to inspire British designers and manufacturers. Today, its purpose is to champion creative industry, inspire the next generation, and spark everyone's imagination. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1556826/The_Royal_Mint.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1358049/The_Royal_Mint_Logo.jpg Media enquiries - The Royal Mint Press Office: 0845 600 5018 (calls cost 5p per minute) or email press.office@royalmint.com www.facebook.com/theroyalmint www.twitter.com/royalmintuk www.instagram.com/royalmintuk The elderly woman who police say was repeatedly punched by a 17-year-old Walmart employee on Wednesday, July 7, is speaking out about the incident, saying this situation could have been avoided. Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 81F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Gillette, WY (82718) Today Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 76F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 55F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. WASHINGTON, July 3, 2021 Tyson Foods Inc., a Dexter, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,492,832 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The frozen, fully cooked chicken products were produced between December 26, 2020 and April 13, 2021. The products that are subject to recall are listed here. View the labels here. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST. P-7089 on the product bag or inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped nationwide to retailers and institutions, including hospitals, nursing facilities, restaurants, schools and Department of Defense locations. On June 9, 2021, FSIS was notified of two persons ill with listeriosis. Working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners, FSIS determined there is evidence linking the Listeria monocytogenes illnesses to precooked chicken produced at Tyson Foods Inc. The epidemiologic investigation identified three listeriosis illnesses, including one death, between April 6, 2021 and June 5, 2021. During routine sample collection, FSIS collected two precooked chicken samples from two establishments that are closely related genetically to Listeria monocytogenes from ill people. One of the samples was collected at Tyson Foods Inc. FSIS is continuing to work with federal and state public health partners to determine if there are additional illnesses linked to these products. Additional information on the investigation may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumer and institutional freezers. Consumers should not eat these products. Institutions should not serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Members of the media who have questions regarding the recall can contact Derek Burleson, Communications Manager, Tyson Foods, at (479) 290-6466 or derek.burleson@tyson.com. Consumers who have questions can contact Tyson Foods customer relations, at (855) 382-3101. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. SPRINGDALE, Ark., July 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), is voluntarily recalling approximately 8.5 million pounds of frozen, fully cooked chicken. Tyson has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on this recall, and while there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated at the time of shipment, the voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution. The affected products were produced at one plant located in Dexter, Missouri, between December 26 of 2020 and April 13 of 2021 and distributed to foodservice and retail customers nationwide and Puerto Rico. They are being recalled as a precaution due to possible exposure to Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria. Were committed to providing safe, healthy food that people rely on every day, said Scott Brooks, senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance, Tyson Foods. We are taking this precautionary step out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to safety. Products Included in this Recall The recall includes Tyson branded frozen, fully cooked products as well as private label products made for customers. These products were sold to foodservice and retail customers and distributed nationwide. Each package of the affected retail products has the establishment code P-7089. A list of product labels for the impacted retail products are available for download and comprehensive list of all retail and foodservice products can be found here. Photos of the impacted retail products can be downloaded as a PDF or ZIP file. Only those products listed are being recalled. No other Tyson products are impacted by the recall, including but not limited to any Tyson brand fresh chicken; frozen, raw chicken products or chicken nuggets. A list of retail stores that received the product will eventually be posted on USDAs website. Use the following link to locate the retail distribution list. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls Consumers with questions should call or text 1-855-382-3101. Customer service representatives will be available beginning Sunday through Friday 8am 5pm CDT. News media and health department officials who have questions should contact Derek Burleson at 479-290-6466 or derek.burleson@tyson.com. Category: IR NEW YORK, July 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Washington Prime Group Inc. (NYSE: WPG) between November 5, 2020 and March 4, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period), of the important July 23, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Washington Prime Group securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Washington Prime Group class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2102.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 23, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Washington Prime Groups financial condition was deteriorating substantially; (2) as a result, there was substantial uncertainty about the Washington Prime Groups ability to meet its capital structure obligations as they became due; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants positive statements about Washington Prime Groups business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Washington Prime Group class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2102.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com New York, July 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Backsheet Market Overview: According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Solar Backsheet Market Research Report by Type, Installation, Application, and Region Global Forecast till 2027 the market size is projected to be worth USD 5.6 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 7.20% during the forecast period (2021 - 2027), The market was valued at USD 2.41 billion in 2020. Solar Backsheet Market Scenario The global solar backsheet market is projected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period, mainly due to the increasing solar PV installation and policy support from government to enable adoption of renewable technologies. As per European Commission, it is estimated that USD 28.44 billion is required to be invested in renewable sources by the government between 2020 and 2050. This would lead to increase in the installation on solar power parks across Europe. This, driving the market for solar backsheet in the coming years.Global solar backsheet market has been segmented based on type, installation, application, and region. Based on type, the market is classified into fluoropolymer and non-fluoropolymer. Fluoropolymer segment is leading the market and has the largest market share, mainly due to its early adoption and higher efficiency as compared to non-fluoropolymer backsheet. The global solar backsheet market is further segmented based on application, including utility, residential, commercial, and military. Utility segment of the global solar backsheet market is estimated to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Get Free Sample PDF Brochure https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7066 Key Players The forefront players profiled in the global Solar Backsheet Market research report are Honeywell (US) Agfa (Belgium) Dupont (US) Jolywood (China) Isovoltaic (Austria) 3M (US) Dunmore Corporation (US) Hangzhou Sunhome Solar Backsheet Co.,Ltd. (China) Krempel (Germany), and Flexcon (US), among others. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (111 pages) on Solar Backsheet https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solar-backsheet-market-7066 Scope of the Report The report segments the solar backsheet market, by application, into utility, industrial, commercial, residential, and military. The utility segment is expected to be the largest market. This segment is driven mainly by the global increase in installations of solar power plants, both for utility and distributed power generation applications, to meet the global power demand. The report segments the solar backsheet, by installation, into roof-mounted, ground-mounted, and floating power plant. The floating power plant market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the market can be attributed to the ability of these plants to generate more power due to the cooling nature of water. Floating power plants also solve land constraints issues, which is a major hurdle in ground-mounted solar installations. Share your Queries https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/7066 The solar backsheet market has been further segmented, based on type, into fluoropolymer and non-fluoropolymer. The non-fluoropolymer segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to its cost-effectiveness as compared to fluoropolymer-based backsheet. In this report, the market has been analyzed with respect to 4 regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world. Asia Pacific is projected to dominate the global solar backsheet market during the forecast period due to the significant increase in solar PV installation in China and India. China is the largest market in Asia Pacific and is heavily investing in solar PV to reduce carbon emissions and fulfill its power needs. Asia Pacific is also expected to be the fastest-growing market, followed by North America. Segmentation of Market covered in the research: Solar Backsheet Market Research Report: Information by Type (Fluoropolymer and Non-Fluoropolymer), Installation (Roof Mounted, Ground Mounted, Floating Power Plant), Application (Utility, Residential, and others), and Region Global Forecast till 2027 To Buy: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=7066 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 2. Market Introduction 2.1. Market Definition 2.2. Scope of the Study 2.3. Market Structure 3. Research Methodology 3.1. Primary Research 3.2. Secondary Research 3.3. Market Size Estimation 3.4. Forecast Model 3.5. List Of Assumptions 4. Market Dynamics 4.1. Drivers 4.1.1. Increasing Solar Pv Installation 4.1.2. Increasing Share of Renewable Energy Sources In The Power Generation Mix 4.1.3. Government Support to Enable Adoption Of Renewable Technologies 4.2. Restraints 4.2.1. High Installation Cost Of Solar Pv Power 4.3. Opportunities 4.3.1. Technology Advancement 4.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis 4.4.1. Threat Of New Entrants 4.4.2. Bargaining Power Of Buyers 4.4.3. Bargaining Power Of Suppliers 4.4.4. Threat Of Substitutes 4.4.5. Intensity Of Rivalry 5. Value Chain/Supply Chain Analysis 6. Global Solar Backsheet Market, By Type 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Fluoropolymer 6.2.1. Market Estimates & Forecast, 2020-2027 6.2.2. Market Estimates & Forecast By Region, 2020-2027 6.3. Non-Fluoropolymer 6.3.1. Market Estimates & Forecast, 2020-2027 6.3.2. Market Estimates & Forecast By Region, 2020-2027 Continued...!! About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. Gloucester, MA (01930) Today Areas of dense morning fog. Foggy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 73F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Goshen, IN (46526) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. LAGRANGE [mdash] Katie A. Miller, 76, of LaGrange, died on Monday, July 12, at Parkview LaGrange Hospital. She was born on August 31, 1944, in Sturgis, Michigan to Andrew J. and Anna J. (Miller) Miller. Katie was a production worker for the ARC of LaGrange County for the last 38 years. She w Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one. The European Commission should set ambitious targets for e-kerosene, a green synthetic fuel, when it proposes the worlds first sustainable jet fuel law this month, environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), Lufthansa, the Global Alliance Powerfuels, pilots representatives, and other aviation industry and energy players have said. The group, which also includes Schiphol and Copenhagen airports and e-fuel suppliers, said a clear market signal for making e-kerosene from green hydrogen would help put aviation on a path to sustainability. In a public letter, they call for a target for the use of e-kerosene under the new ReFuel EU law commencing in 2027 at 0.5% to 1% delivered to the EU market. The mandate could potentially rise to 2.5% in 2030, as long as the sustainability of such a target can be assured, they specify. Important to raising the ambition of a mandate is the careful consideration of measures to avoid competitive distortion to the disadvantage of European airlines. These measures shall be introduced simultaneously with the mandate and their development should begin now. E-kerosene can immediately and sustainably start reducing aviation's climate impact without any changes to the way aircraft operate. The EU should provide investors with an unambiguous signal that there will be a growing market for e-kerosene in Europe while at the same time put in place measures to avoid competitive distortion to the disadvantage of European airlines. Matteo Mirolo, aviation policy officer at T&E The Commission is expected to propose its ReFuelEU Aviation legislation on 14 July. A new study focused on the auto industry finds that tightening emissions standards not only fails to curtail on-road emissions, but actually increases the likelihood of non-compliance by automakers. In a paper published in the journal Production and Operations Management, researchers confirmed the relationship between increased threshold-based regulations and non-compliance in the auto industry. The study also found higher non-compliance rates in automakers facing greater substitution pressure from competitors, as well as those with less advanced emissions control technology. Based on a 15-year on-road vehicle emissions dataset covering 148,837 vehicles from 42 automakers in the EU, we use regression discontinuity to identify the causal impact of standards tightening on non-compliance by controlling other confounding factors. Our results suggest that in the absence of effective monitoring, tightening standards directly drives up automakers non-compliance. Furthermore, we find that automakers facing more intense substitution pressure from competitors or with less advanced emissions control technology have a higher non-compliance rate. Hu et al. The study, co-authored by Kejia Hu from Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, Sunil Chopra from Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, and Yuche Chen from University of South Carolina, uses on-road data collected from the European Union between 2000-2014, a period in which regulators tightened restrictions on NO x 3 separate times. The main issue here is that the EU is using a straightforward cutoff standard. You have to hit the score to make it. Anything like that is easily going to trigger unethical conduct. Kejia Hu This phenomenon isnt limited to the auto industry. The paper mentions several instances of high-profile, threshold-based non-compliance, from dairy providers to accounting firms and financial institutions. According to the researchers, the non-compliance stems from conflicting interests and external forces that impact automakers strategic approach. Economically, automakers have little financial incentive to abide by the tight emissions standards. The most common ways to meet emissions thresholds are to install expensive catalytic converters or reduce the weight or horsepower of the vehicle. Price and safety are at the top of a car buyers consideration list. Emissions performance is either at the bottom or hard to evaluate for a regular buyer. Non-compliant automakers are left with an unappealing set of options: increase the sticker price (or take a hit on profitability); reduce the perceived safety; exit the market; or cheat. Moreover, other potential factors do not dissuade automakers from skirting the emissions requirements. Social pressure can be a powerful influencerbut has not been in this particular arena. Regulatory oversight, as exhibited by the studys findings, has not been effective enough to compel compliance. The co-authors recommend several options to address the studys findings: accompany tighter standards with stricter monitoring; regulate on technology instead of performance; or offer credit-borrowing for automakers. Hu noted that a switch from thresholds to guidelines or alternative requirements give companies more room to operate ethically. The authors urge policymakers and managers across industries to take note of their study. When setting limit-based performance goals in situations with conflicting interests and imperfect monitoring, they should anticipate non-compliance from the regulated parties. Hu et al. Resources Moscow will begin testing hydrogen fuel cell buses by September 2022. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin signed an agreement to that effect with representatives of KAMAZ and RUSNANO at the Moscow Urban Forum. A center for the production of hydrogen buses will be created on the basis of SVARZ plantsite of the production of battery-electric buses (earlier post)in 2023. Refueling urban transport with hydrogen is convenient and economical. When using hydrogen fuel, only water vapor and heat are released. In winter, the heat can be used to heat the bus cabinit is convenient and safe, with zero emissions. Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. 3 1 of 3 File / Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3 GREENWICH The town will repave a portion of Arch Street on Tuesday after a broken water main caused slowed traffic through central Greenwich, according to the office of First Selectman Fred Camillo. A break in a 12-inch main on Arch Street near Exit 3 of Interstate 95 was reported by Aquarion Water Co. early Saturday afternoon, officials said. A Surfside, Florida, official pushed back Sunday on the idea that the town was responsible for slowing down a condo boards plans to make needed structural repairs to a building that eventually collapsed, killing dozens. Following a Miami Herald report that it took more than a month for the town to respond to plans submitted by the buildings board in May, town manager Andrew Hyatt released a statement saying the issues under discussion were preliminary plans unrelated to structural work and not permits to begin repairs the building needed to pass a 40-year recertification. It would appear that the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association sought to address a number of issues outside the scope of any proposed 40-year re-certification work," such as new natural gas lines and added parking, Hyatt's statement said. "There was no indication during any communications between the Town and the association by telephone or electronic mail that this submission required emergency action by the Town of Surfside." Emails first obtained by the Herald show the condo building manager growing impatient at the lack of response from the town to plans for a temporary parking plan needed to move forward on repair of a concrete slab under building's pool and on damaged columns in its garage. As we are out to bid on our project (we) need to get to answers to these questions, wrote building manager Scott Stewart to a town building official on June 21, more than a month after an initial email request was sent. This is holding us up and cost (sic) are going up and out (sic) 40 year is coming up fast." He added, "Can we get some feed back please so we can keep moving forward please." The town responded with requests for additional information on June 23, just 14 hours before major sections of the 12-story building pancaked on itself, burying sleeping residents in twisted metal and broken concrete. So far, 24 people have been confirmed dead and 121 are still unaccounted for. A spokesman for the condo board declined to comment. Even without the town delay, it is not certain it would have made any difference. Approving bids and permits for such work may have taken longer than a month. And while the structural problems that were to be repaired have gotten intense scrutiny, it has not been determined definitively that they caused the collapse. The emails between the condo building and the town came after years of delay over the structural repairs. The problems with the building were first highlighted by an inspection report s ubmitted by an engineering firm to the condo board in 2018. The report urged work on a concrete slab that been improperly laid flat instead of sloped, preventing water from draining off, causing major structural damage. The report submitted by Morabito Consultants did not warn that the building was in danger of falling down. And a town building official at the time was reassuring, telling members soon after the report that the condo building was in very good shape." Another possible factor adding to the delay was Morabito Consultant's estimated price tag for the work more than $9 million. Some owners protested, members of the board left, new ones came in, the repairs were put off and by the time a new board was ready to start the work this year, the price tag had ballooned to more than $15 million, according to a board letter sent to owners in April. When the building fell on June 24, the board had taken out a loan, work on the roof had begun, requests for bids for structural repairs were put out, and some owners had already paid in full their special assessment to pay for the work. Those who elected to pay in installments over many years instead faced a deadline for their first payments on July 1. GREENWICH From the very first day of the 2020-21 school year, uncertainty emerged as the theme. Greenwich teachers and students were among the earliest to return to in-school learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones, the district offered a remote school option for students, but since September had most of its students in-person, with some modifications. With the school year over, Jones push for some sense of normalcy has mostly drawn praise. But at the time, there was a palpable sense of unease among teachers, students and parents. Many made attempts to predict how a decidedly unpredictable year would go. In the beginning, we were all nervous about going back and, frankly, not too happy about. There was a fair amount of dread at the beginning, said Lee Bowbeer, a Greenwich High School social worker and parent. And we were all kind of jokingly but not so jokingly making bets about how long it would be before we were back home. And though there were large scale quarantines, and at times hundreds of students and staff sent home because of COVID-19 protocol, Greenwich Schools remained open. For the duration of the year, the district traced the spread of the virus in its buildings and among its staff and students via a tracker, which was updated twice a week. The tracker provided the number of new cases, the number of total cases, information on the origin of cases undetermined, in-school, outside activity or family and listed cases by school. It also offers a glimpse at how, and when, the virus spread through Greenwich Public Schools. All year it was overwhelming, said Andrea Abbott, a North Street School fourth grade teacher. The stress of the pandemic was overwhelming. Riding the waves The COVID-19 pandemic came in waves, each of which brought a surge of cases and its own brand of uncertainty. After the 2019-20 year came to a screeching halt at the onset of the pandemic, the fall semester of 2020-21 began on an encouraging note. Statewide, COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations hit a relative low in summer 2020, and that trend continued through the early fall. The districts first confirmed case of the school year came in mid-September and, until late October, cases remained in the single digits district-wide. But around Halloween, and in the weeks immediately following, the district saw its first explosion of COVID-19 cases. In just over a month, case totals had climbed into the triple digits. On Dec. 4, there were 126 confirmed cases in the district. By Jan. 3, there were more than 200. In the second half of the year, the district would record more than a quarter of all its total COVID-19 cases, with significant upticks especially after breaks. There were periods of intense quarantining and high case totals following holiday and winter break in January and February, respectively, as well as following spring break in April. That last uptick came at a particularly difficult time of year, according to Bowbeer. By that point, teachers, along with many Connecticut residents over a certain age, had already started getting vaccinated. The long, dark winter months had recently passed and the summer seemed close at hand. And yet, there were roughly 17 new cases reported in each bi-weekly tracker update in April, higher than any other month in the calendar year, including January, February and December, each of which also had high case counts. In the spring, It was rough to see every single day another email from Dr. Jones, Bowbeer said. Then there was sort of this crossroads when those numbers went down and we knew vaccinations were going up. That final surge, however, was thankfully short lived, she said. By early May, new cases slowed considerably. By June, they were nearly non-existent. In the last month of school leading up to Greenwich Highs graduation, which was held outdoors but in-person, there were five cases, in total, reported in Greenwich Schools. The total number reported this school year sits at 697. The COVID-19 tracker provided a transparent and consistent update for our school community as we navigated the pandemic throughout this school year, Jones said. Our nursing staff did a tremendous job monitoring the health situation at all of our school sites, and while we did experience spikes in positive cases at points throughout the year, we were fortunate to close out the school year with very few positive cases over the last several weeks of the school year. A waiting game Jones announced recently that the district would not be updating its COVID-19 tracker over the summer, though some staff and students will be attending in-person summer school. The district will determine closer to the start of the school year whether or not the tracker will continue in the fall, she said. We were thrilled to end the year with a sense of normalcy with such events like an in-person GHS graduation, moving up ceremonies and field days, Jones said. The first day of school and the last month of school were certainly two high points. But coming out of the pandemic, there is some rebuilding, and some healing, that must occur, educators said. From Bowbeers perspective, as a social worker, the impact of the pandemic on students has been tremendous. The psychological effects of COVID-19 will not be easy to undo, he said, but continuing to move toward normalcy could help. I do think they can bounce back, Bowbeer said. As a social worker, Ive got to have that optimism or else I wouldnt be able to do this job. And for teachers, Abbott said the year has taken a profound mental toll. To adapt to COVID-19, educators had to relearn how to teach with masks and maintain proper distancing and stand in classrooms with both remote and in-person learners. COVID-19 work days became longer and stress mounted, she said. The end of the year was positive, no doubt. But questions linger. Will the Delta variant, which is spreading rapidly in many parts of the country, bring on yet another COVID-19 wave? Will masks and distancing be required next school year? Will remote school continue to be an option? Will students and teachers ever fully feel safe in class again? Its as if it were the beginning of COVID, in some ways, because we dont have answers, Abbott said. Its a waiting game. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 A state eviction moratorium expired last week that could add to the count of thousands of children and youth experiencing homelessness. In the 2019-20 school year, the state Department of Education identified 4,859 students as homeless in its K-12 public schools, with caveats. The count is probably underreported, said Adam Yagaloff, an attorney from the Center for Childrens Advocacys Homeless Youth Advocacy Project. Especially for minors, theres a concern that it could lead to more involvement with services like DCF (Department of Children and Families), and sometimes minors are concerned its going to cause more problems with the family. Under federal law, school-aged children are considered homeless if they lack housing, or an adequate or permanent living space. That includes students who have to double up or share housing with friends or family due to eviction or poverty. Transient students are often subject to trauma and lack basic needs like food, medical care, technology and school supplies. They tend to move schools frequently, which can take a toll on academics and school-based relationships. And even before the pandemic, advocates said they were concerned about children completing homework and studying for tests in non-conducive work environments. Since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut limited evictions to scenarios that include falling behind on rent for at least six months or causing a serious nuisance, such as physically harming another tenant or landlord or using the unit for sex work or illegal drug sales. The data is experimental, but the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey found 69 percent of respondents with children not current on rental payments reported being likely to face eviction in the next two months, compared to 10 percent of respondents without children. The state moratorium was extended several times throughout the pandemic, until it expired on Wednesday. A federal moratorium is expected to lapse at the end of this month. In the state moratoriums absence, Gov. Ned Lamont has signed off on new protections for tenants, including free legal services for low-income renters on the brink of eviction and orders for landlords to tap into the $400 million in federal relief available in Connecticut to cover unpaid rent through at least the end of this month. Many have applauded these measures, including the Center for Childrens Advocacy. We think its inevitable that the eviction ban was going to be lifted, said Yagaloff, who called the protections reasonable. But whether or not these measures go far enough, or extend renter protections for long enough, remains to be seen. Hard to track The exact number of children impacted by homelessness can be hard to pin down. Yagaloff said transient youth often leave the school system only three-quarters of Connecticuts homeless student population graduated on time in 2019, the most recent non-pandemic year. Weve seen over the last year and a half, young people have had to find work in order to support their families, he said. Theyve had to put school on hold or attend school less frequently in order to get jobs. While the average chronic absence rate was 20 percent this year, more than 57 percent of transient students were repeatedly missing from school, according to the most recent state data. A Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness report estimated that 7,823 young people ages 13 through 24 were homeless or unstably housed. A disproportionate number of them identified as Black, Hispanic and/or LGBTQ+. The count was conducted in January 2020 and predates the pandemic, which Hearst has reported could exacerbate an already fragile situation. In a statewide survey of youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability, all respondents reported a worsening of their situation since COVID-19, according to the Youth & Young Adult Taskforce of the Reaching Home Campaign. And though schools cannot halt eviction proceedings, under the federal law they have resources to mitigate the impact on other facets of students lives. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act removes residency requirements for school enrollment, requires that schools provide transportation and creates liaison positions for targeted support. Schools can be a source of structure and predictability, even when home is not. They can also supply breakfast and lunch, and provide social-emotional supports. And education can be a path out of poverty and homelessness for students. This year in Connecticut, 20 districts received $572,000 grants to address student homelessness, then an additional $55,000 mid-year. More funding is also on the way through the American Rescue Plan Homeless Children and Youth Funds, totaling $7.2 million over the next three years. Laura Stefon, chief of staff in the state education department, said they have hosted webinars and town halls to address homelessness, and prioritized transient students in computer distribution. Help at school In Bridgeport, Dementred Young, director of the school districts social work services, said his team links students and families to community services and removes obstacles, such as transportation, that might be in their way. Since spring 2020, they also provided students residing in homeless shelters and other temporary living situations technology to access remote learning. Young said typically school-based staff are the first to know if a family is experiencing housing difficulties: During the pandemic, the number of referrals has been less as a result, he said. Other school districts in the area have made strides to provide more resources for transient students. We actually added additional support two years ago, said Superintendent Matthew Conway in Derby. I pulled together both Shelton and Ansonia, and we wrote a grant that provided us with funding to support homeless students in any of our three districts. Schools in Westport also offer extra help for students in temporary housing. We support these students and their families through our school-based services, said Michael Rizzo, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, with the understanding that schooling should be maintained as a consistent place for students experiencing housing instability. He added that the district works with community-based resources such as the towns Human Services Department and Homes with Hope. During the pandemic, he collaborated with the former to provide internet access and food to families on weekends. We continue to work to engage all students and families in school, and understand that community and school-based partnerships are important in doing so, he said. Likewise in West Haven, the district has additional supports in place for students and their families who become homeless. We understand that when a childs home life is disrupted for any reason, it is important to keep them coming to school and remaining in a familiar and safe environment amongst friends and adults they trust, said Superintendent Neil Cavallaro. We provide transportation to and from school, counseling services when necessary, and give them extra attention as needed, he said. Weve also made sure that these students are fed, and if necessary, provide them meals to take home. The district also supplied many families, transient or otherwise, with Chromebooks, internet connection and various digital tools. They also hired additional social and outreach workers. When necessary, they will make home visits and work with families to get them back to school, said Cavallaro. I often thought or worried about children in those (unstable housing) situations, he said. There is no better place for them than in school. Our teachers, administrators, and support staff did an amazing job of keeping track of students who chose to remain out of school, but we all are committed to getting them back. Staff writers Amanda Cuda, Eddy Martinez and Brian Zahn contributed to this report. We miss old Motorola sometimes it created some of the best phones of their day, but also crafted devices that had us asking It does WHAT? and staring in confusion. Weve already covered the RAZR, the Moto X, the Nexus 6 and, of course, the Droid (aka Milestone) with its nifty slide-out QWERTY keyboard. If it wasnt clear, those were the excellent models. But today we wanted to talk about one of the crazy ones instead once you meet the Motorola Backflip, which is equally hard to forget. Motorola Backflip official images It came out in early 2010 when hardware keyboards were still seen as a good thing. However, instead of a traditional slide-out mechanism, Moto engineers devised a crazy inside-out clamshell design that earned the phone the name backflip. The Motorola Backflip: closed opened from behind We say inside-out since the keys were actually on the outside and so was the screen the two sat on either side of the phone. A hinge allowed you to rotate the screen so that it was facing the same way as the keyboard. You think that doesnt sound too crazy? Allow us to direct your attention to the camera and LED flash that are tucked into the bottom left corner of the keyboard. Thats one way to save money on a selfie camera, we guess, but using the keyboard invariably involved smudging the lens. There was a keyboard on the back - and a camera on the keyboard 3.5 mm headphone jack The phone has a few more surprises up its sleeve too. For example, opening the screen revealed a small touchpad on its back side (the Backtrack). This allowed you to flip through images in the gallery, for example, and a double tap opened them. All this without covering the screen with your fingers. A similar touchpad was actually featured on multiple Motorola models, even ones with basic bar shapes. A close-up of the "Backtrack" touchpad This design wasnt without its merits, it was an excellent conversation starter if nothing else. But its not just that, you could tilt the screen at any angle and the heavy base would support it, perfect for watching a movie. Motorola Backflip in "tent" mode Using the alarm clock mode The phone also worked in tent mode, which also held the screen up. Besides videos, this was also used with the alarm clock mode that showed a big clock with some smaller details below (e.g. the weather forecast). One neat feature unrelated to the backflip design was the LED that illuminated the microUSB port. Its color signified the state of charge while the phone was plugged in and it would start blinking a warning when the battery fell below 15%. The illuminated USB port was a neat way to show the state of charge As for the phone itself, it was fairly chunky at 15.3 mm thick, but not too heavy (133g). On the front was a 3.1 display with 320 x 480 px resolution. It didnt support multitouch at launch, a known issue for the early Android OS. Attempts to patch it later didnt workout very well. The display did have Gorilla Glass protection and the build was surprisingly premium overall. The hinge and the frame around the display were made out of aluminum, as was the removable battery cover that concealed the 1,400 mAh power cell. Also, the keyboard was made out of a durable rubberized plastic since it was constantly exposed to scratch risks. A removeable battery The Backflip retail package The Backflip ran Android 1.5 Cupcake initially, skinned with Motorolas (relatively) lightweight Blur, later moving on to 2.1 Eclair It was powered by a Qualcomm chipset with a single 528 MHz CPU connected to 256 MB of RAM and 512 MB of storage (with a microSD slot, which was fairly standard back then). The camera had a 5 MP sensor and was capable of basic video capture with 342 x 288 px resolution at 30 fps. Image quality was not ideal in either case. Camera samples from the Motorola Backflip This isnt the only crazy keyboard design that Motorola cooked up during that period. In a future installment we might visit the FlipOut, for example, which also had an unusual way to hide its QWERTY keyboard. Motorola Backflip in the hand As for the Backflip itself, it proved to be an evolutionary dead end, Motorola never made another model using this inside-out clamshell design. And Still, even as a one-off it must be pretty special for us to remember it a decade later. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 520-625-5511 Haiti - Security : A small plane crashes near Leogane, 6 dead Friday a small single-engine Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six plane, registered N8694N, with 6 people on board, which had left Port-au-Prince at 6:57 p.m. bound for Jacmel (South-East) where it was due to arrive at 7:09 p.m. crashed for an undetermined reason, about fifty km west of the capital, more precisely in the locality "Mathurin" a section of Beausejour in the heights of Leogane, according to the National Civil Aviation Office (OFNAC). Civil Protection, who managed to get to the scene although the area is difficult to access, found six dead bodies, confirmed coordinator Gutenberg Destin. Information relayed by Paul Joel Felix, member of the Board of Directors of the Communal Section of Beausejour. According to our sources two Dominicans who lived in Jacmel, one of whom was piloting the plane, are among the victims (they are said to be Amin Perez and Ronny Cedeno). In addition two American missionaries, Trent Hostetler (35), and John Miller (43) were among the victims, specified the Christian organization "Gospel To Haiti". The identity of the last 2 victims has not been revealed. The Dominican Civil Aviation Council (JAC), through the Air Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA), is in contact with the Haitian authorities to obtain information on this air accident. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Armed violence : OCHA Humanitarian Situation Report #4 This humanitarian situation report #4 from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) produced in collaboration with humanitarian partners covers the period from 23 June to 1 July 2021 and is based on the information and data available to date. The next report will be released around July 9. "Overview of the situation : Between 22 and 29 June, confrontations between rival gangs in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area continued unabated. According to accounts from local populations and preliminary reports from human rights organizations, an unprecedented situation is currently unfolding in the metropolitan neighbourhoods of Martissant, Bas-Delmas, Cite Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets, especially considering the rapid movement of thousands of displaced people. Escalating violence continues on an almost daily basis and is expected to last for some time, potentially triggering greater displacement and humanitarian needs. On 21 June, with violence escalating in Martissant, gang members killed four people, injured two more and attacked drivers and pedestrians heading towards the communes of Port-au-Prince and Carrefour. On 25 June, clashes flared up in Cite Soleil. Several injuries and the death of a two year-old girl and 10 gang members were reported. As a result, an unknown number of additional people became internally displaced, forced to flee the area in search of safety elsewhere. The injured were evacuated to the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) France hospital in Drouillard at great risk to the personal safety of response personnel. Around a dozen families were forced to flee to Canaan. The following day, on 26 June, gang members burned 12 vehicles and killed one man during clashes in Croix-des-Bouquets. Gangs purposely targeted community members in retaliation for casualties suffered among their ranks. That same afternoon, the MSF Belgium emergency centre in Martissant was the target of an armed attack. No injuries were reported, but MSF decided to evacuate its staff and patients. On 27 June, MSF announced the temporary one-week closure of the centre and the suspension of its ambulance services, as the safety of staff and patients cannot be guaranteed. Even before the attack, MSF emergency centre staff experienced challenges in reaching their workplace. Since clashes began, only MSF ambulances have been permitted to circulate, with caution, in order to transfer patients in the southern part of the city. Neither the National Ambulance Centre (CAN) nor the Haitian Red Cross dared to venture into these neighbourhoods. The Government has set up a Task Force to manage the ongoing population displacement situation. To ensure coherence and coordination among all the actors involved, the Humanitarian Coordinator, OCHA and IOM held a meeting with the Task Force on 29 June, where coordination mechanisms, the response to urgent needs and the relocation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were discussed. It was agreed that the Task Force and key players will continue to meet regularly to coordinate activities and discuss the evolving situation. One of the priorities of the Task Force is to find resources as soon as possible to relocate IDPs from different sites. In addition to the already complex situation of ongoing violence and insecurity, a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths and protracted political instability, forecasts from the US National Hurricane Center show that Tropical Storm Elsa could potentially hit Haiti between 3 and 4 July." Key figures : 1.5 million people affected: 1.1 million: Martissant, Bas-Delmas, Saint-Martin, BelAir, Cite Soleil 400,000 in the southern departments 1.5 million people in need of assistance: 14,000 internally displaced in organized and spontaneous sites since June 2021 1.1 million people without access to essential services in Martissant, Bas-Delmas, Saint Martin, Bel'Air, Cite Soleil 214,000 targeted for emergency aid: 4,500 displaced in organized sites 2,500 displaced in spontaneous sites 207,000 people without access to essential services in the districts of Martissant, Bas-Delmas, Saint Martin, Bel'Air, Cite Soleil 18,100 internally displaced persons: BelAir: 1,242 Tabarre Issa: 2,160 Toussaint Brave: 413 Carrefour (Sports center): 855 St. Yves Church: 1,110 Delmas 103: 315 Delmas 2 (Salvation Army): 500 (to be confirmed) Delmas 2 (Komiked School): 1,000 (to be confirmed) Delmas 4: 1,500 (to be confirmed) Saint Martin / Delmas 2: 2,500 (to be confirmed) Miragoane: 32 (to be confirmed) People separated from families: 940 Others: 5,110 (estimates within host families and other departments) Cite Soleil: 450 (to be confirmed)." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34097-haiti-insecurity-msf-forced-to-temporarily-close-its-emergency-center-in-martissant.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34065-haiti-flash-1-3-of-port-au-prince-serves-as-a-battlefield-for-nearly-95-gangs.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34049-haiti-insecurity-ocha-humanitarian-situation-report-1.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33434-haiti-politic-the-pm-launches-a-task-force-for-the-reduction-of-insecurity.html HL/ HaitiLibre By William Schwartz | Published on 2021/07/03 The opening of "The 8th Night" focuses on Buddhist mythology, describing the story of the red eye and the black eye, and how these demons were sealed away in different parts of the world. They were never to meet again, lest their combined power would open a gate to hell. Then a weird cult appeared to dig one of them up. The old monk Ha-jeong (played by Lee Eol) tasks his young, silent disciple Cheong-seok (played by Nam Da-reum) with informing the exorcist Jin-soo (played by Lee Sung-min) of the crisis. Advertisement Nam Da-reum shows tremendous heart as the youthful Cheong-seok, a teenage boy with comical yet restrained enthusiasm for a world he's never seen before. And yet Jin-soo isn't quite as annoying as he sometimes suspects. Director Kim Tae-hyung-II wrings a lot of depth from the relationship between Cheong-seok and Jin-soo by dispensing with words and just letting them act with their faces. We only slowly learn just why it is that Jin-soo does not like being addressed as a monk, though he doesn't give Cheong-seok a suitable alternative. The story of our taciturn monastic leads unfolds opposite that of detective Ho-tae (played by Park Hae-joon), who's attempting to solve murders in Daegu that leave the corpses in baffling condition. His role is likewise one of subtlety. We're led to believe that Ho-tae is a good cop who wants to do the right thing, and that's the whole problem. Jin-soo's mission isn't just difficult to believe. It's also one that involves unavoidable sacrifice. The actual plot of "The 8th Night" is comparatively straightforward. Well, barring an infodump at the end explaining the exact mechanics of how the demonic soul possession works, which is necessary for the final showdown. "The 8th Night" is also quite literal, as we see the main characters one day at a time, traveling from town to town. Brief diverting anecdotes of the central characters' interactions build up to climactic days where they, and us, have to wonder how much they really like or trust each other. "The 8th Night" is very reminiscent of "Svaha: The Sixth Finger" but with more of an emphasis on characterization than mysticism. It's not a particularly weird movie, although there's definite menace in the atmosphere. Cheong-seok is a fairly ignorant youth and is explicitly told there are some realities of the situation he's better off not knowing. I liked how Cheong-seok is portrayed as genuinely naive, yet neither endearing nor annoying. Despite the demonic possession being the main hook, "The 8th Night" is also in many ways the story of how Cheong-seok grows up, and must seek his own path to Enlightenment. This is the context embodying the last few crucial scenes, where he follows up one decision to accept the counsel of his elder with another that seems to defy the spirit of it. In a way Cheong-seok and Jin-soo must both face their demons, and accept the detachment of death as the opposite of the attachment of life. Review by William Schwartz ___________ "The 8th Night" is directed by Kim Tae-hyung-II, and features Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-joon, Kim Yoo-jung, Nam Da-reum, Choi Jin-ho, Kim Dong-young. Release date in Korea: 2021/07/02. Watch on Netflix A showcase of opals lay before my eyesany one of them could be mine. My father st Eight people were injured in a shooting near a car wash in Fort Worth, Texas, early Sunday morning after a group of men got into an argument. One of the men left the scene during the argument, returned with a gun and began firing "toward groups of people," Fort Worth Police said in a news release. Multiple people returned gunfire, the release said. An officer heard gunfire around 1:30 a.m., Fort Worth Police said in a news release. When officers arrived at the scene to investigate, they found eight people with gunshot wounds, according to police. Most of the victims are believed to have been innocent bystanders who weren't involved in the initial argument, according to Fort Worth Police. All were taken to local hospitals and are in stable condition, police added. A young girl also suffered minor injuries when she was hit by a vehicle while trying to leave the area, according to the release. No suspects have been arrested, according to Fort Worth Police. Gun violence detectives are continuing the investigation. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. St. Joseph, MI (49085) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. St. Joseph, MI (49085) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Johnson & Johnson stated on Thursday that its vaccine provoked persistent activity against the Delta and other widespread variants. Data displayed that the permanence of the immune response pulled through at least eight months, according to the United States-based healthcare company. It added that Johnson & Johnson was 85 percent effective. It could also help alleviate death and hospitalization. New data displays that the vaccine proffers protection against the novel coronavirus for at least eight months. It effectively alleviates infection from numerous variant strains of the virus. These include the rapidly prevailing delta variant. The company added that the effectiveness of the vaccine seems to strengthen over time. Strong Neutralizing Antibody Response According to Dr. Mathai Mammen, the head of research and development for Janssen, "Current data for the eight months studied so far show that the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine generates a strong neutralizing antibody response that does not wane, reported The Denver Channel. Instead, they observe progress over time. In addition, they observe a tenacious and particularly durable, robust cellular immune response. Researchers remarked that the immune system cells and antibodies in the blood of eight people vaccinated with the J&J dose effectively neutralized the Delta strain. The strain was first identified in India. A second study with 20 inoculated patients at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston yielded similar results, reported The Manila Times. According to the head of the country's Medical Research Council on Friday, the delta variant currently dominates new infections in South Africa. Aside from South Africa, delta is now prevalent throughout Europe, reported DW. Read Also: Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Effective Against Virus Variants, Severe Illness A pre-print paper submitted to "bioRxiv" indicates assessments from blood samples taken from a team of participants in J&J's phase 3 ENSEMBLE coronavirus vaccine study. The new data indicated J&J's single-shot vaccine created neutralizing antibody activity against the Delta variant at a higher level than it had earlier been shown to draw out against the Beta variant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Delta is growing to be the globally dominant variant of COVID-19. It is raising concerns over whether available vaccines will combat it. Preliminary data has so far displayed that vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc and BioNTech, and Moderna are very shielding against Delta. The concentration of virus-neutralizing antibodies are being quite diminished. The single-dose, adenovirus vaccine was created by Janssen Pharmaceuticals. It is an innovative pharmaceutical product development and medical research company owned by Johnson & Johnson. The delta variant is a mutation of COVID-19 that researchers indicate is much more infectious than the initial strain of the virus. Moderna and Pfizer have both reported that their two-shot vaccines are also effective in preventing variants strains of COVID-19. This means that in the United States, all coronavirus vaccines approved for EUA could combat variant strains of the virus. Related Article: COVID-19 Booster Shots: Is This Necessary? When Will It Be Available? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Biden is probably the most unpatriotic president in American history," Trump said at an Independence Day event. Trump Slammed Biden During 4th of July Celebration In a recently published article in Yahoo News, President Joe Biden is arguably the most disloyal president in American history according to Trump, since his government canceled a planned Fourth of July fireworks display at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota because of COVID-19 transmission fears. The former president also said that his administration had amazing and beautiful fireworks at Mount Rushmore, and then he saw the other day that they refuse to let it happen again. Trump believes they do it in spite of themselves. Meanwhile, Trump's appearance at Sarasota Fairgrounds during Independence Day was attended by Trump supporters. It was the latest in a string of recent speeches celebrating Trump's return to the spotlight, which he dubbed a "Save America" rally, according to a published article in Bay News9. Read Also: Biden Signs Juneteenth Bill As Official Federal Holiday Request To Hold Fireworks at Mount Rushmore Denied Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service after the agency rejected a request to conduct fireworks on the Fourth of July at Mount Rushmore, according to a published article in Good Word News. The report says the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota dismissed Noem's complaint on June 2, stating that although the fireworks show was "appealing," finding in Noem's favor would be "improper judicial intervention." Meanwhile, Trump joked that the Left wanted to "cancel the heroes on Mount Rushmore" by replacing President Thomas Jefferson's image at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. with that of Al Sharpton or Joe Biden. Thousands Flocked as Trump Holds Independence Day Rallt at Sarasota Fairgrounds People realize that this is history and that no one can delete it and not have a problem later, according to Trisha Hope, one of the rally attendees. History must be recorded, and that is exactly what they accomplished. She published a book of President Trump's tweets and sells it throughout the nation. The Sarasota rally will be her 36th Trump event, she added. Outside the venue, vendors sold t-shirts and other things with the words "Trump 2024" imprinted on them. Supporters of Trump have said that they are attending the event to show their support for not just him, but also the MAGA movement as a whole. According to a Trump fan, Trump is not just one individual who they admire. They characterized the former president as a guy who embodies the American ideal, energy, and strength. They donned red, white, and blue and covered themselves in Trump flags during the Fourth of July weekend. Supporters said they wanted to show that Trump is still a "face" in the Republican Party and that he will return to the campaign stage and perhaps the campaign trail. During the event, Trump also chastised Biden for dissolving his 1776 Commission, which advocated for "patriotic teaching" in American schools, as well as the 1619 Project, which claimed that the United States was founded on slavery. Related Article: Get Ready For July 4th Fireworks Across the US @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After a devastating second wave of COVID-19 hit India in April, killing almost 400,000 people, thousands of people who caught the virus also developed mucormycosis, or "black fungus," a rare fungal illness. Black Fungus Patients Continue to Increase In India, where approximately 30 million instances of COVID-19 have been recorded, there have been upwards of 40,000 cases of mucormycosis, but authorities have cautioned that this is likely an undercount, according to a recently published article in New York Post, The healthcare system in the country is already overburdened by previous coronavirus outbreaks and limited medical supplies, as well as efforts to treat COVID-19 with steroids in patients with undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes, which may be contributing to the spread. A group of molds known as mucormycetes causes a rare but serious fungal infection. Mucormycetes are found throughout the environment and usually do not bother otherwise healthy people, but they can be problematic for those with health problems or who take medications that reduce the body's ability to fight germs and sickness. Read Also: India Suffers Shortage of Black Fungus Drug as Deadly COVID-19 Variant Continues to Pile up More Cases Patients Lost their Vision or Need to Undergo in Operation In a recently published article in Reuters, one patient, a 39-year-old farmer from Uttar Pradesh, claimed he lost his left eyesight and had to borrow money against his property to pay for medication. Another COVID-19 victim, 65, who lost his sight due to the fungus, would reportedly have to return to work if he heals, according to his daughter. Dr. Akshay Nair, a Mumbai-based eye surgeon, told BBC News last month that he had already treated 11 patients who required the removal of an eye owing to the fungus. Another surgeon said that 11 patients needed their eyes removed, and six of them died as a result. Dr. Nair shared that he put a tube into the patient's nose and was extracting mucormycosis-infected tissues, an uncommon but deadly fungal illness. The nose, eye, and even the brain are all affected by this aggressive illness. What is Mucormycosis? Mucormycosis is a very uncommon infection. Mucor mould, which is frequently found in soil, plants, manure, and rotting fruits and vegetables, causes it. It is everywhere, according to Dr. Nair, and may be found in soil, air, and even healthy people's noses and mucus. It affects the sinuses, the brain, and the lungs, and it may be fatal in diabetics or those who are highly immunocompromised, such as cancer patients or HIV/AIDS patients. Meanwhile, doctors think that the administration of steroids, life-saving therapy for severe and critically sick Covid-19 patients, maybe triggering mucormycosis, which has a 50% overall fatality rate. Moreover, steroids seem to help prevent some of the harm that may occur when the body's immune system goes into overdrive to combat the coronavirus by reducing inflammation in the lungs. However, in both diabetes and non-diabetic Covid-19 patients, they lower immunity and raise blood sugar levels. Doctors believe the severity and frequency of this fungal illness in the second wave, compared to certain instances in the first wave last year, has shocked them. Related Article: Black Fungus on COVID-19 Patients: Industrial Oxygen Considered One Factor That Causes Mucormycosis in India @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Multimedia Video Journalist Buffalo native trying to get her news on! Im a Multimedia Journalist here at Your Hometown Stations and I love what I do. Have a cool story idea? Im in! Just email me at ashelton@wlio.com or message my Facebook page. The city of Sugar Land has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in a sample of trapped mosquitoes located near Morrisons Place in the New Territory subdivision. The mosquitoes were trapped last week, and Sugar Land was notified that at least one had tested positive for West Nile, the city said. There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for West Nile. However, up to 80 percent of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own, without treatment. In severe cases, when patients are hospitalized, they receive supportive treatment such as intravenous fluids and pain medication. Residents should use insect repellent whenever they are outdoors and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, Dr. Joe Anzaldua, the citys medical director and health authority. People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if infected with the virus. If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately. The city has responded by increasing mosquito spraying to twice per week citywide and will continue working closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services to trap and test mosquitoes for the presence of the West Nile virus. The traps supplement the citys larvicide and mosquito spraying operations. The recent heavy rains have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes; residents are advised to make sure water isnt left to stagnate in puddles, rain gutters, planters, and birdbaths. Symptoms of the virus include a stiff neck, vision problems, body tremors, mental confusion, memory loss and seizures, the city said. The milder form of the illness is West Nile Fever. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle and bone aches, nausea, and drowsiness. People with the milder form of the illness typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. The health department recommends practicing the Four Ds as precautionary measures: Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Dress in long sleeves and long pants when you are outside. Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed. Common breeding sites include old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters. Learn more using the citys interactive tool. Click here for more information. juhi.varma@hcnonline.com Houston Police Department Authorities are searching for a 27-year-old man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and wounding their baby on Thursday at a west Houston apartment. Zacchaeus Rashad Gaston has been charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the death of 24-year-old Layla Steele and the injury of their 1-year-old boy, according to the Houston Police Department. This Fourth of July was a return to normalcy for Jersey Village, where a few hundred revelers cheered as a parade of emergency vehicles, hot rods and homemade floats made their way down Jersey Drive. Residents set up chairs to watch outside and dotted their single-family homes and pristine front lawns with American flags. A year ago, COVID-19 hospitalizations were surging in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott reversed his reopening plan ahead of Independence Day, as experts warned of the dangers of people gathering together over the holiday. A wave of deaths peaked in July; a second, deadlier one crested in January. Universal availability of COVID-19 vaccines has helped Texas and other states bring the virus under control. Rates of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths have plummeted, allowing normal life to mostly resume. But Harris Countys vaccination rate just this week passed 50 percent, well below President Joe Bidens goal of 70 percent by July 4. And the discovery of the highly contagious delta variant here poses a risk for the half of the population that has yet to be inoculated. Still, Jersey Village residents welcomed a parade this year. The small municipality in northwest Harris County didnt cancel last years affair, though there were far fewer attendees and those who did celebrate wore masks and socially distanced themselves, according to Angela Carranza, 40, who moved to Jersey Village at the start of the pandemic. It feels great to be outside without having to wear a mask, to have our families here and feel safe and gather with other people. We moved here during the middle of COVID so we didnt really have a chance to meet our neighbors, now we feel like were a little more connected to the community, Carranza said. Bob Woodward, who has lived his whole life in the Houston area, said that even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he had noticed that Fourth of July events were less extravagant compared to the days of his youth. The Jersey Village resident said he heard about the parade on the radio Sunday morning and jumped at the opportunity to join the celebration. Its fantastic, Woodward, 50, said. Community is important and we kind of lost that in the past year. After the final vehicle in the parade went by, paradegoers streamed into nearby Clark Henry Park for the July 4th Festival, which featured bouncy houses for children, live music and vendors with the Jersey Village Farmers Market. Multiple attendees, vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, said they felt safe attending the event since it was held outdoors. It feels really good to be back doing a normal activity, semi-normal I guess with whats going on. We wanted to celebrate Americas birthday today so we are excited to be out here and enjoy everything, Cathy Darrell, 51, said. Carranza is vaccinated, while Darrell and Woodward are not. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo continue to urge all eligible teenagers and adults to get inoculated. Fewer and fewer residents are receiving the vaccines of late, Harris County data shows. The county health department regularly administered at least 6,000 shots per day from February through April. Since late May, however, the county has rarely given more than 2,000 shots on any day. Houston police detectives are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered Sunday morning on the 8600 block of Almeda Genoa at the entrance of a local cemetery. Callers contacted 911 about 3 a.m., and firefighters and police officers who responded to the scene found a mans corpse, exhibiting evidence of blunt trauma, according to Houston Police Lt. Larry Crowson. Its unclear how the man ended up there. Once you get past its opening phrases, the Declaration of Independence seems to hold a place in the popular imagination as more of a symbol, or a prop in a Nicolas Cage movie, than it does a monumental piece of writing. It clocks in at just over 1,300 words, most of which are spent airing grievances against King George III of Great Britain and dont match the poetry of that famous opening: When in the Course of human events.We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal Plenty has been written about the irony or hypocrisy that writer Thomas Jefferson and a majority of the signers were slaveholders. The Declarations lesser-known conclusion, however, offers a striking promise: And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. As America celebrates the Fourth of July and commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, the Houston Chronicle invited Texans to reflect on that final sentence. What does it mean to pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor? After all weve been through in the last year, are we making good on that promise? Is it still a promise worth making? The Chronicle spoke to artists, veterans, immigrants, healthcare workers and leaders to gauge our communitys feelings about the state of our union after a year of pandemic and protest. The country is in a difficult place. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a renewed focus on racism after the killing of George Floyd, laid ever barer the inequities facing the countrys vulnerable populations and widened the political divisions that have been swelling for years. For some that makes the words hard to reconcile with what they see around them. For others its another challenge in a centuries-long series of challenges. What they said In addition to making the major inequities in Americas healthcare system too glaringly obvious to ignore, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a major caveat with the Founding Fathers unalienable Rights. When one citizens right to pursue liberty conflicts directly with the general publics unalienable right to a healthy life, who wins? Two-hundred-and-forty-five years after Congress signed The Declaration of Independence, perhaps it is time again for all of us for every single American to take some time to reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic and what it has revealed about the state of our nation. It is time to look inward and ponder this: As a nation facing a horrific threat to each and every one of us, our loved ones, our fellow Americans and our Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, to what end would we now, as American citizens, unite in solidarity and mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor? Dr. Christina Propst 51, pediatrician Others remember the America of their youth and find the country almost unrecognizable today. My mind goes back to when I was growing up during World War II on a ranch in a small town in South Texas. Even at 10 years old, it was clear we were in this together, to share, help each other and win the war. We dedicated part of our ranch to growing vegetables and shared them with the entire community of 429, no matter if they were white, Black or Brown. No one went hungry. No one paid for this food. In our country store, we were the first in the community to give credit to Black people. And now today, it does not seem like the same country. Maj. Irvin Bubba Levy, 87, U.S. Air Force veteran Thoughts on honor and equality: Shakespeare had a great speech in the mouth of the fool, Falstaff, about what was honor was it just a word, a meaningless thing? To our Founding Fathers, and to me and to many others this day who mutually pledge their sacred honor to the defense of our great country, honor is more important than your fortune, and honor is more important than even your life. Honor is sacred. It is holy. It is gifted from the Divine. We are to be honorable in our dealings with each other and with our country and our government. I likewise pledge mutually with my fellow Americans my life, my fortune and my sacred honor to love and defend this great nation with which we have been blessed. R. Jack Cagle, 60, Republican Harris County Commissioner The American Dreamand along with it, our ability to prosper as a countryis largely built on the social contracts our Founding Fathers baked into the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence: all men are created equal, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, all people are entitled to equal protection of the laws. But for many, those words, even when expressed as a sign of patriotism, fall flat. For centuries, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ communities, the poor, and other groups have upheld their ends of these social contracts while receiving less than what our Constitution guaranteed us. Americans should continue to honor these pledges, but we must also do the work to ensure they are mutual. That means accepting others experiences. That means acknowledging and fighting the lasting effects of centuries of systemic racism. That means ensuring society and our government leave no person behind, regardless of how they look, who they love, or how much money they have. When we take these actions, we can correct our shortcomings and move forward and unite the country in a manner that our Founders intended. Odus Evbagharu, 28, chair of Harris County Democratic Party A virologist grapples with the pledge of standing together. At our best, this is the reason why America works. At the moment I dont see a lot of connection, rather we are connecting in small groups but the small groups do not connect to each other. Independence is used more as a shield to separate you from tyranny. But at the moment it seems we feel like tyranny is all the people around us. Ben Neuman, 46, virologist, professor and chair of Biological Sciences, Texas A&M University-Texarkana An organizer cries hypocrisy. For Black and Brown people, like myself, its hard to feel a desire to pledge my life to all the people of this country, because often, when my community has asked for the same commitment, theyve been ignored. When my undocumented parents have asked to be seen and supported, the American government said, no, you are not worth it. When we asked the government to pledge to our fortune and our sacred honor, they prioritized bailing out corporations valuing greed over justice, money over people the same corporations who shamelessly fired hard-working people when they got sick. When I reflect on these words, I hear the United States hypocrisy. Anahi Tapia Torres, 32, organizer at Unemployed Workers United A judge sees a way forward. I do believe that this declaration of our nationhood endures. We have survived far more dangerous times. Our democracy survived the early days of the Republic, a Civil War, two world wars, a great depression. Each tested our commitment to each other as fellow Americans. We endured. In the last two weeks, weve welcomed jurors back to the federal courts. They welcomed the duty and privilege of jury service. They took the oath to work together to well and truly try the matters in issue and a true verdict render according to the evidence and the law. They mutually pledged their honor, to each other, to me as the judge, and to our court system. Yes, the words live. As new citizens say in the oath they take, democracy requires true faith and allegiance. As chief judge of one of the biggest and busiest and most diverse courts in the nation, Ive seen all of us come together to meet the challenges of disaster, disease, and seeming chaos. Im so proud of our court. And yes, I do have faith that we share faith and allegiance to our democracy. Happy July 4. Lee H. Rosenthal, 68, chief judge, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas An advocate for the incarcerated and the sheriff also see hope in working together. In the face of a system that does not treat incarcerated and criminalized people as full members of society, I seek to embody the closing lines of the Declaration of Independence by reaffirming that we are bound together in the American experiment. Engaging in radical listening and empathy has been my way of pledging my life, my sacred honor and fortune toward building bridges to create a world where the promise of the Declaration of Independence is fully realized for every American. When I think about the polarizing divides in America today, Audre Lordes words feel urgently relevant: What we must do is commit ourselves to some future that can include each other and to work toward that future with the particular strengths of our individual identities. And in order for us to do this, we must allow each other our differences at the same time as we recognize our sameness. Krishnaveni Gundu, 47, executive director of the Texas Jail Project America is a strong nation that rightly prides itself on our diversity. Out of many, one. E plurubus unum. There was a time when Americans resisted those who would stoke fear of the unknown to incite division among us. Its time we renew the mutual pledge to each other that the Declaration of Independence proclaimed. Through humility and kindness, we will rebuild our foundation of trust. Ed Gonzalez, 52, Harris County sheriff, a Democrat. Finally, a reminder: As the July 4th descends upon us and the Bar-B-Que grills are fired up, the parade routes fill up and the sale-of-the-year kicks off at the local car dealership, what I hope we remember after the firework smoke fades away into the darkness of night is the pledge that was made in the last sentence of the Declaration of Independence, to mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. If we are not guided by that belief, as we educate our youth, protect our communities, dispense justice fairly to everyone, provide healthcare to the most vulnerable, and create economic opportunities accessible to the most underserved in America, then July 4 is just another day on the calendar to eat a good hot dog and take the day off. Take a moment this Independence Day to marvel at our nation the way we might gaze in awe at a seemingly precarious, seemingly impossible rock formation standing strong at Big Bend or Utahs Delicate Arch. Our nation was sculpted with a bit more deliberation but no less adversity from war to slavery to foreign attacks to a deadly pandemic and even the corrosive forces of social media algorithms. The natural wonders at our national parks are the consequence of patient fingers of wind and water and the restless collision of tectonic plates, all combining for millennia to make the majestic shared spaces that inspired Woody Guthries famous refrain: This land is your land. This land is my land. Yes, it is all of ours. Its impossible to fully appreciate Americas proud mountains without giving thought to how they were formed. The same goes for our proud democracy the oldest on earth. Just as our flag is more than a piece of star-spangled fabric, our history is more than a fanciful bedtime tale. The American story includes spasms of struggle and glory, cruelty and benevolence, violence and peacemaking. To acknowledge that is not unpatriotic. No chapter should be considered superfluous, as some politicians have suggested. Each is the wind and water and shifting ground that formed us. And we are the consequence. This Independence Day should represent morning in America. We should emerge from the depths of this pandemic that kept us in cold cabinets of isolation and on high shelves of fear, not crawl back into them in our political discourse. We should embrace the springlike renewal in our streets and cafes, pent-up desire to celebrate, and a humble hunger for freedom in its many forms. Just as the vaccinated among us are eager to shed the masks covering our noses and mouths, many Americans moved by the racial reckoning prompted by a police officers murder of George Floyd are ready to peel back another mask on our countrys long history of racism. Other Americans find this process frightening, uncomfortable, and divisive and it surely can be. But some politicians such as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz have weaponized the fear into a campaign strategy, turning an obscure academic notion called critical race theory into a handy villain. It is a lie, Cruz said in a speech last month. And it is every bit as racist as a Klansmen in white sheets. NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. The Klan murdered little girls at church. Critical race theory just says Americans should know it, learn from it, and consider what legacy of racism, in all its violent and subtle forms, exists today. Yet, the reason many Republicans are attacking critical race theory and the reason Texas banned it from classrooms is because talking about race is indeed fraught. White people who have long had the privilege of not thinking too much about it think no good will come of highlighting our differences rather than our commonalities. Theyre mostly wrong, but not entirely. Common sense and volumes of scientific research tell us that emphasizing differences can make racism worse, not better, because humans are evolved to feel wary of people we perceive as different from us and more trusting of those we regard as similar. But heres the thing: Our so-called in-group preference is triggered by an infinite number of identities. A dog lover feels a connection to another dog lover and same goes for cancer survivors, war veterans, hopeless Mets fans and yes, fellow Americans. Theres nothing special about race, writes moral psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, explaining that you can make people care less about race by drowning it in a sea of similarities and shared goals. In America, that can mean a shared appreciation for freedom of speech and religion, entrepreneurship, and opportunity. It can mean celebrating the Fourth but also Juneteenth. It can mean honoring leadership and courage among flawed human beings: Yes, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln but also Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Cesar Chavez. It can mean honoring men and women of all colors who fought and died for this nation. A Pew poll conducted in fall 2020 showed that Americans ideas about who truly belongs in this country are becoming more inclusive, with only 35 percent saying that being Christian or being born in the United States are important to national identity. Most important for American belonging is speaking English, at 77 percent, and sharing the countrys customs and traditions, at 71 percent. That means the simple act of attending a Fourth of July parade today can bridge the gap between Americans of different backgrounds. If you ask people to sing a song together, or to march in step, or just to tap out some beats together on a table, Haidt writes, it makes them trust each other more and be more willing to help each other out, in part because it makes people feel more similar to each other. It should go without saying that trust, understanding and cooperation are good things in any country but in a country as diverse as ours, theyre everything. So, does talking about racism hurt our national unity? Maybe temporarily. To paraphrase Lincoln: When you look for the bad in people expecting youll find it, you surely will. Too much focus on race can skew ones vision of Americas virtues. But thats a risk Americans seem comfortable with: In the Pew poll, 61 percent said that perceiving discrimination where it doesnt exist is less important than not seeing it where it really does exist. Whats even more divisive than addressing racism is ignoring it. Is it unifying for some of us to know about the Birmingham bombing and the Tuskegee Study and others to pretend they didnt happen? Is it unifying for some of us to confront racism daily or weekly and others to claim its all in their heads? Is it unifying for some members of our big American family to live in fear of police brutality and others to dismiss it as isolated incidents? No, talking about racism doesnt engender warm feelings of patriotism. But the act of one American trying to understand another Americans experience in this country just might. Assessing ones failures is painful, but more healing than denial and avoidance can ever be. Ask someone whos saved a marriage during long hours on a therapists couch. The history most of us were taught in school was almost exclusively written by white men leaving blind spots for perspectives of women, Blacks, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, gay Americans and other groups marginalized throughout history. Some perspectives have been added but not enough to see the American portrait for what it was and is. Yet, some still want to subtract. Some, out of earnest fear or political expediency, want to ban entire perspectives and censor ideas, such as critical race theory, which boiled down, teaches that racism isnt just something an individual does, its something systemic that can worm its way into our institutions, policies and even the thinking of good people as they watch the 10 oclock news. No, systemic racism doesnt mean that every white American is a racist. But all Americans have biases and preferences they may not be aware of. In their book, Blind Spot, the developers of Harvards Implicit Association Test taken by more than 14 million people estimate that 40 percent of Americans including whites, Asians, a smaller group of Latinos and a substantially smaller proportion of African Americans earnestly describe themselves as egalitarian but display subtle forms of race discrimination such as being more likely to help a white person in need than a Black person. Of course, a simplistic view of white people can be just as counterproductive as a simplistic view of Black people, especially in a diverse country where immigrants and biracial people of varying cultural identities abound. Stereotyping entire races is never productive, especially when you consider that the concept of race is man-made anyway. But race was long a color-coded tool for exploitation and forced labor in this country, so its not liberal propaganda to argue that it seeped deeply into our culture and the residue remains. No race is inherently good or evil but in America, one race is inherently more disadvantaged, by almost any measure from education to home-ownership to incarceration to health insurance. No matter how many people profess themselves colorblind the fact is that our nations laws, policies and norms are not and never have been. White people face disadvantages, too, of course. But not from all sides, and not at first glance. The biggest privilege of a fair complexion in America isnt wealth or status. Its the benefit of the doubt that youre a good hire, that youll pay your rent, that youre not a not a shoplifter. A Black person today may be disadvantaged, not merely because her ancestors were slaves, but because she attended a failing high school, because potential employers cant pronounce the name on her resume, because her grandparents were redlined out of buying a home that could have helped them build wealth to pass on to future generations. The disadvantage is baked in. Yes, you say, but this is America. Opportunities abound. Look for the good and you surely will fine that, too. Yes you will, and thats what July 4th is about: celebrating Americas independence, its audacity, its strength against the winds of adversity from within and without and mostly its promise of freedom and equality. But its only a promise if its kept. We can acknowledge both the strides weve made toward that goal and the setbacks. We must keep striving for a more perfect union even as we recognize were not yet there. header "Regarding As we begin the Independence Day holiday weekend, let's remember we're all Americans, (July 2): On July 4, we celebrate the momentous day our forefathers declared independence from Britain. These same patriots created the Constitution to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. George Washington, in his Farewell Address, made reference to the courage and wisdom included in the Constitution. For over 200 years these documents empowered We the People to elect our government leaders and peacefully transition from one administration to another. Incredibly, on Jan. 6, I witnessed a president encourage followers to march upon the Capitol to shut down the proceedings for a peaceful transition. This was not an isolated incident. Now, elected officials join attacks on our representative government with lies and baseless conspiracies. Im an immigrant who proudly served in the U. S. Army. My son and grandson were officers in the Air Force and Navy. We took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. I believed those who took the oath did so seriously, but it appears many did so with their fingers crossed behind their back. To this day reading the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution preamble and documents like Lincolns Gettysburg address bring a lump to my throat. For years I was certain our elected officials respected the ideals these documents proclaimed. Im no longer so certain. This Fourth of July please read these monumental documents to remind yourself that We the People own the responsibility to ensure government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Luis Celerier, Longview headline Regarding Expel activist athletes? Rep. Crenshaw, focus on insurrectionists. (June 30): On July 4, well celebrate the foundation of our country, the United States of America. We will rejoice that we are a free people. For an example of what freedom means, we have Gwen Berry, the Olympian who recently turned away as the national anthem was played. Berry must have known she would be attacked online and in the media, and possibly lose sponsorships and endorsements. But she also knew she wouldnt be imprisoned, and her family and friends wouldnt be targeted by the authorities. Would-be protesters in many other countries dont have that reassurance. Being American means we can be unhappy with our country. We can feel it doesnt fully model its ideals. We can organize and march to change hearts and minds. We can lobby our representatives in Congress for legislation to make America better. If we want a country where people always support their government because theyre terrified not to such countries exist. Theyre dictatorships. Being American gives us the right to be wrong, or ornery, or just too hopeful. Thats a right worth celebrating. Happy Fourth of July! Nancy Perich Daly, Houston It has long been clear to me that we are teaching the concept of voting wrong, that we are buying into an idea of false hope and optimism that is easily exploited by those who want fewer people to vote and fewer votes to be counted. The propaganda around voting is that of one man (or woman), one vote, every vote counts, and free and fair elections. That is simply not the case. I understand and appreciate the ideals, but reality is simply not aligned with this. From the time I was a child and joined teams and clubs, we seemed to be voting on things. From the time we began to elect class officers, politics were part of our education. Roberts Rules of Order ruled. But that was direct democracy. Most of the time it was a show of hands in a room. Everyone present could count the votes. It was the ultimate in transparency and accountability and it laid the groundwork for how I would think about voting. But as I got older and the elections got bigger, ballots began to be necessary. Also, the election of other people who would then vote for things in my stead. Direct democracy gave way to representative democracy and my perspective broadened. Still, I went to a tiny school (there were 33 people in my graduating class) in the rural South. I could have learned more, been taught more about the long legacy of vote tampering and manipulation, voter intimidation and suppression, but that didnt happen. Neither did I learn enough about it in college. I knew the cursory, surface-level facts about poll taxes and literacy tests, the Freedom Riders and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The whole of the Civil Rights Movement had been reduced to quotes and cliches, Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech, and Fannie Lou Hamer being sick and tired of being sick and tired. I emerged into full adulthood as a political naif. Then began my education, my quest to unlearn what little I had been taught and to learn for the first time all the things I hadnt been taught. First, I guess, were the widespread and never-ending attempts, with some devastating successes, to disenfranchise people, often Black people. And there was nothing like the sting of reading the words of some of the men who were engaged in this suppression. Nowadays, those who suppress votes disguise their motives, but years ago the motives were well articulated and abundantly clear: to establish white supremacy and disenfranchise the Negro. Now, only the articulation is absent; the results are the same. And even beyond voter suppression, there are errors and incompetence. One thing I will never forget about the coverage we produced for The New York Times on the 2000 election was something that should have been obvious, but hadnt been for me: that voting machine errors are well known and some degree of error, if small enough, was considered acceptable. The idea of an acceptable error rate for voting has stuck with me ever since. For instance, an NPR analysis last summer found that 550,000 primary absentee ballots were rejected, up from about 319,000 in 2016. Then there is incompetence, like what we are seeing now in the mayoral primary election in New York City. The result of the tally may well be fine, but the haphazard handling of the vote counting undermines faith in the system. And thats the problem with all of this: maintaining that faith. It seems to me that setting expectations too high actually works against that faith, helps to undermine it, because those expectations will collapse under the weight of reality. It also seems to me that it is much better to think of voting as a nest of ants, a swarm of bees, a brigade of soldiers attacking an enemy: Not everyone will survive, but the point is to achieve victory by overwhelming the enemy. Everyone one that falls in the attempt assists the others in prevailing. Not everyone who should be able to cast a ballot will be able to. And, not every ballot cast will be properly counted. That is the sad reality of the American electoral system, and conservatives in this country have done their best to maintain or exacerbate it at all costs. You can bristle at it. You should. I do. And liberal groups can fight back through organizing, legislation and the courts. But at the same time, you also have to realize that even if you win that battle, it wont stay won. You have to have a new vision of voting, one that factors in the oppression and imposes itself in spite of it. Voters must be taught that swarming the polls, overwhelming them, may well be the only real shot at winning: a single movement, an irresistible deluge of votes. Blow is a columnist for The New York Times. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Back before you could just Google your destination, it was a little harder to plan French fishermen could stage another protest over licences in September July 04,2021 | Source: ITV French fishermen could stage another protest in September if disagreements over licences are not resolved. Dozens of French vessels blockaded St Helier harbour in May, claiming they had been treated unfairly. Under the terms of the post-Brexit trade deal, they had to show evidence of their history fishing in Jersey waters, but many did not provide enough and were given restricted access. An extension was then granted, but the Assistant Minister for the Environment says the new deadline could see new demonstrations. "I am sure that the French will apply as much pressure as they can, but do remember that this is a contract between the EU and the British government, and the EU actually wants this solved - they're quite keen to have the terms of the contract just applied and done," said Deputy Gregory Guida, Jersey's Assistant Environment Minister. ITV Consumer Limited 2021 Theme(s): Post Harvest Technology and Trade. Three held for illegal fishing in Siren River, Pakistan July 04,2021 | Source: DAWN The fishery department has launched a crackdown on the illegal hunting of mulla and other endangered fishes in the Siren River in capital of Mansehra District located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. The action is meant to check the use of electric current and explosives to catch fish, inspector of the fisheries department Sadia Noor told reporters in Dadar area of Siren valley on Saturday. She said the department was taking all possible measures to protect mulla and other local fishes. Trader leader in Jabori area Abdul Wahid Khan said the crackdown on illegal fishing was a good initiative but the fishery departments inspectors werent properly equipped to reach the areas, where illegal fishing took place. Led by Ms Noor, a team of the department arrested three men for illegally fishing in the Siren River in Dadar and Sum areas and fined them heavily. We have been issuing permits for fishing with the help of hooks, so killing fishes by electric current and explosives cant be allowed, Ms Noor said. 2021, Dawn Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. Uganda joins Clean Seas Campaign to keep plastic pollution out of its lakes and rivers July 04,2021 | Source: IED Uganda has today joined the Clean Seas Campaign, demonstrating the countrys commitment to curbing the flow of marine litter and plastic waste entering lakes, rivers, and the ocean. The Clean Seas Campaign, launched by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2017, has been a catalyst for change, transforming habits, practices, standards and policies around the globe. With now 63 country partners, the Clean Seas Campaign is a global movement devoted to ending marine plastic pollution from source to sea. Commitments by signatory countries cover more than 60 per cent of the worlds coastlines, with a growing membership from countries like Uganda working to protect other critical, and connected, water bodies. Individual pledges of action have reached more than one million. The landlocked East African country of Uganda is part of the Great Lakes region with its largest freshwater ecosystem, Lake Victoria. The water body, shared with Kenya and Tanzania, is the source of the iconic River Nile that flows 6,695 kilometres before ending in the Mediterranean Sea. However, Lake Victoria and its related ecosystems are threatened by the catastrophic effects of the triple planetary crises biodiversity breakdown, the climate emergency, and rampant pollution from decades of unsustainable production, irresponsible consumption, and insufficient waste disposal. For Uganda, this pollution takes the form of waste, such as plastics and fishing gear, and nutrients from agricultural run-off, degrading ecosystems services and threatening the health and livelihoods of its communities. About 1 in 5 of the fish in Lake Victoria had ingested plastic, shows a recent study, while another research study has recorded microplastics in surface waters in several sites on the lake. Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, UNEPs Director and Regional Representative for Africa said: When it comes to plastic pollution, it is critical to focus on the importance of all water bodies lakes, rivers, wetlands, and ultimately, the ocean that suffer from the negative impacts of both plastic, and other types of pollution. These include ghost fishing gear and excessive nutrients from agricultural run-off. We welcome Uganda the second landlocked country, and the first in Africa as it joins the Clean Seas Campaign. This is not just about seas but about all our water bodies and how they deliver vital services that support our very well-being. As part of the partnership, UNEP is also pleased to support Uganda on a national action plan to tackle litter and plastic pollution. Dr. Tom Okurut, Executive Director of Ugandas National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), emphasized the cost of continued use of plastics on both aquatic life and human health. Plastics clog drainage systems which attracts billions of shillings to unclog annually; sums that would have otherwise been invested in other critical social services. Spurred by the need to address dangers like carcinogenic exposure from ingesting micro plastics, Uganda has been inspired to tackle plastics through the law and seeking national and international partnerships. Many factors have delayed enforcement of plastics ban in Uganda, but I have confidence that joining the global Clean Seas Campaign will go a long way in developing conviction among Ugandans and other global citizens to adopt more sustainable alternatives, Okurut added. Uganda is already one of 30 other countries represented in the Tide Turners Plastic Challenge, a Clean Seas Campaign initiative that educates young people around the world about marine litter and plastic pollution, giving them the tools to change their personal behaviour, inspire their communities, and create a better future for the planet. In March 2021, Flipflopi, the worlds first sailing boat made from 100% recycled plastic, joined forces with the Clean Seas Campaign on an expedition by sailing around Lake Victoria with stops in Kenya, Uganda and in Tanzania. The expedition drew attention to the plight of the lake and the need by the East African Community to end the unnecessary single-use plastic scourge that is threatening the region. The Clean Seas Campaign contributes to the goals of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, a multi-stakeholder partnership which brings together all the actors working on marine litter and plastic pollution prevention and reduction. The ocean makes life on earth possible, helping to regulate our climate, providing the main source of protein for more than a billion people and generating much of the oxygen we breathe. Marine litter and plastic pollution pose an existential threat to ocean health; its time to turn the tide. 2021 - India Education Theme(s): Others. We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. Imperial Valley News Center Bureau Of Prisons Correctional Officer Charged With Sexual Abuse Of A Ward Oakland, California - Ross Klinger has been charged in a criminal complaint with sexual abuse of a ward, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Los Angeles Field Office Special Agent in Charge Zachary Shroyer, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair. According to the complaint filed June 25, 2021, and unsealed Wednesday, at the time of the offense, Klinger, 36, of Riverside, California, was a correctional officer at Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Institute Dublin (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. As a correctional officer, Klinger had disciplinary authority over inmates incarcerated at FCI Dublin. He received training that inappropriate relationships with inmates, including sexual or financial involvement, were prohibited. According to the complaint, Klinger knowingly had sexual intercourse with at least one inmate while she was incarcerated at FCI Dublin and were under his custodial, supervisory, or disciplinary authority. The complaint further alleges that Klinger was also sexually involved with a second inmate. Klinger told both inmates that he wanted to father their children and that he made plans to marry them. He also gave his victims, and at times their families, either money, gifts, or both. Prison officials are given great power over incarcerated individuals and are entrusted to use that power to ensure the care, safety, and control of the people placed under the governments supervision, said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. The abuse of these powers echoes through the entire criminal justice system and threatens to compromise the publics trust in the systems legitimacy. The allegations in the criminal complaint unsealed today describe a disturbing deviation from the responsibilities of correctional officers. Such an abuse of power will not be tolerated. Correctional Officers wield great power in correctional facilities," said Special Agent in Charge Shroyer. Klinger allegedly abused his authority to engage in sexual relations with two inmates. Sexual abuse of inmates will never be tolerated. As alleged in the complaint, Klinger took advantage of his role as an officer, entrusted to supervise inmates on behalf of the government, and instead displayed an egregious abuse of power said Special Agent in Charge Fair. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to investigate such violations of the law and hold those responsible accountable. The complaint alleges that between April 2020 and October 2020, Klinger repeatedly had sexual intercourse with one of the victims in a storage warehouse at FCI-Dublin. After he transferred to a different BOP prison in San Diego, he allegedly kept in touch with the victim using the alias Juan Garcia, and communicated with her via email and video visits. Klinger also gave money to the victims mother, and visited her family, including her minor children. According to the complaint, Klinger also had sexual intercourse with the second victim in a Conex box on FCI Dublins campus, while another inmate acted as a lookout. After the victim was released to a halfway house, Klinger remained in contact with her via text message and Snapchat. Klinger visited the victim at the halfway house, where he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim and proposed to her with a diamond ring. Klinger is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a ward, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2243(b). Klinger was arrested this morning and made an initial federal court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. His first appearance in the Northern District of California has not yet been scheduled. The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted of the charge, Klinger faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly K. Priedeman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kay Konopaske. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI. Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast On Independence Day 2020, as a MAGA armada of 100-plus boats sped across Tennessees Old Hickory Lake, one Trump supporter who wasnt taking part in the parade was about to get a taste of the chaos that ensued. Im a seasoned captain. Ive been in big waves, Tommy Gravelle told The Daily Beast. But this was different. If I knew thered be that big of waves, I wouldve never left the dock. Rapidfire crestswaves that came in too fast for a simple pontoon boat to recoverovertook the front of the vessel. Seats got tossed into the water. The frothy foam nearly reached the captains chair. Gravelle was about to scream for his family to abandon ship, but he decided to rev the engine, cut through the next swell, and turn around. The insurance company considered the vessel totaled and cut him a check. We got on the boat for a family day on the lake, and it ruined the whole day, he said. It was unorganized really. I think these people all meant well, they didnt understand what was going on. Its been a year since the Trump flotilla phenomenon swept through the nations lakes and bays. Law enforcement agents, rally organizers, and boaters spoke to The Daily Beast about how these events often got out of control, causing more crashes and near-misses than previously known. In Tennessee alone, the states database shows that Trump flotillas made up a third of all congested water accidents there last year. National figures arent available that identify events as Trump flotillas, but a state-by-state review of incident reports in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas showed that most accidents never made the news. Unlike the average holiday regatta, however, where alcohol is blamed when people jump off moving boats or fall out while peeing over the side, the main culprit at Trump boat parades is the sheer choppiness of the water. George Birdwell, an investigator with Tennessees Wildlife Resources Agency, said law enforcement agents have grown to dread working these events. Story continues You sit in your boat and get tossed around. Its not an enjoyable part of our job, he said. Big boats show up, and they try to go slow. But theyre still throwing a big wake, and small boats show up too, and they have to deal with those large wakes. No incidents were covered by news reports of these parades in Tennessee, but The Daily Beast tracked down four examples in as many rallies simply by requesting accident documentation from the state. On Sept. 5 on Ft. Loudoun Lake, David Thomas lost his 22-foot, $22,000 SeaRay boat when it was overtaken by the relentless series of wakes, according to an incident report. A dozen people had to jump overboard and get fished out by parade-goers and first responders. His boat experienced extremely rough and high water created by other vessels that were mostly participating in the parade, the report said. That same afternoon, 140 miles away, a massive flotilla made its way downstream on South Holston Lake. As they squeezed through a bottleneck on the lake, an unidentified boat made an aggressive left and started pulling in too close to Travis Browns 19-foot MasterCraft, according to that report. Brown made a hard left turn himself to avoid it, but that sent him into yet another boat. By the time Brown turned back on track, the stern of his boat nicked Teddy Streets 20-foot Sylvan vessel, decked out in American, Confederate, and Trump flags. The report estimated the starboard hull damage on Streets boat at $2,600. At Tims Ford Lake on Sept. 12, 66-year-old Rana Beasley injured her back when she was violently tossed about when an onslaught of waves from the parade hit the boat she was on. The pilot, Steven Tuthill, had just pulled out of the marina and tried to stay close to shore, but the waves kept coming. An ambulance rushed Beasley to a nearby hospital, according to a law enforcement report of the incident. There was a significant amount of boat traffic in the area because of a permitted boat parade that had occurred earlier that afternoon, that report said. In Oklahoma, the states public safety department reviewed four Trump boat parades at The Daily Beasts behest and identified two separate incidents on Lake Eufaula that resulted in boats sinking. Neither had been previously publicly reported. The Daily Beast sent public records requests to nearly a dozen states. Many were still searching through files as of publication of this story, including state agencies in Florida, California, and Texas, as well several county sheriffs offices in Minnesota. Agencies required us to identify the date, time, and body of water where a boat parade took place in order to search records, meaning the results are far from comprehensive or complete. Its difficult to track the frequency of these accidents because some government agencies claim to be missing records of publicly reported disasters. One docked boat sank into the St. Croix River in Wisconsin during a Labor Day weekend parade there, according to the local CBS Minnesota station, but the states natural resources department said it has no log of an incident there that day. The vast majority of the parades we reviewed took place on dammed bodies of water managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which issues permits. But it did not respond to questions or provide data. Captain David B. Mackey, a professor at the Mass Maritime Academy, stressed that boats should be going at 5 miles per hour or sloweralternating between idle and turning the engine off entirely. And he said speeding parader-goers were to blame for damaging his own family members rental boat in North Carolina recently. The bottom line here is, poor seamanship. If theyre doing this and running around, they dont know what theyre doing. Every boater is responsible for their own wake. If they do damage to another vessel, theyre responsible. If they do damage to the shore, theyre responsible, he said. Austin Collins, who organized one Trump flotilla on Sept. 12 at Oklahomas Lake Tenkiller, said he set strict rules to keep boats close together, single file, and slow. But as the lake widened, boaters started speeding around each other. Those that went too fast turned around, creating wakes that bounced off the others. I was trying to prevent racing down the lake. It wasnt a race, it was a parade, he said. I kept on my normal pace I think most people just took off. Boat safety enforcement officers in Wisconsin and Minnesota said the waving of giant flags posed an additional particular challenge for boaters, as it reduced visibility on the water when it was more congested than normal. When you have boat parades like rallies, the energy there creates a different vibe. People standing in parts of the boat where theyre not supposed to, flags that may limit visibility for the operator of the boat, and if theres loud music, bright sun, maybe alcohol involved all these factors contributed to dangerous situations, said Rob Crafa, the waterfront director at the State University of New Yorks Maritime College. The Labor Day weekend boat rally in Lake Travis, Texas, last year served as the best known example. Five boats capsized at that Trump parade, with the distress calls all coming in during a 15-minute stretch. Jared Green lost his new, 20-foot ski boat when it sank in the Willamette River in Oregon, due to the wake from passing Trump supporters. Green had turned off his motor and wasnt able to turn it around and face the incoming waves, he told investigators. He and his six passengers were forced to jump in the water, and it capsized in about 15 seconds. The Daily Beast obtained the incident report, which blames the volume of boats on the water, and a boat parade going on. The paperwork doesnt identify the parade. To this day, the beautiful boatersas the former president enjoys calling themcontinue to be a source of pride and affirmation for Donald Trump, so much so that he even incorporates them into his baseless arguments that the 2020 election was stolen from him. According to two people familiar with his private remarks, Trump has in recent months specifically cited the boaters as supposed evidence for why it was impossible, in the former presidents words, that he lost to Biden. Hell say [something along the lines of], Look at the crowd sizes, look at the enthusiasm, look at all the boaters, look at all the votes I got, and talk about other signs of the great support he has across the country, when discussing how it doesnt add up, according to one of the sources whos repeatedly talked to Trump about the 2020 race since Bidens inauguration. As The Daily Beast reported last year, the then-president was so enamored by the images and videos of his diehard boating supporters that he bizarrely asked his political aides, Are we polling the boaters yet? and kept asking to see more videos and updates on the boaters. Multiple senior Trump officials have told The Daily Beast that they made a point of showing the then-president videos of the boaters as a way to lift his spirits. The boat parades were never formal campaign events, but Trump encouraged the celebrations several times on his now-deleted Twitter. With summer 2021 now in full swing, the former president is still on the lookout for the MAGA boat parades, and hopes to see many more of them flourishing in the Biden era, according to a source with knowledge. In May, when various Trump boaters went out on the water to celebrate Memorial Day weekend in Florida, the ex-president did not let the occasion go by without some words of encouragement. Wow! I hear they have thousands and thousands of boats parading in Jupiter, despite the fact that they tried to cancel us, Trump said in a statement from his office. Everyone is having an incredible time. During the event, a number of the boats could be seen decorated with banners and signs imploring Trump to run for president again in 2024. And every Trump boater who spoke about their experience at a rally said theyre already working on bringing them back. Hell, I might have one later this year, said Collins, who organized a flotilla in Oklahoma. I think Im going to come up with a different reason. Maybe a fallen soldiers rally. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos via Getty/Library of Congress Few toys have made so big an impact as the Teddy Bear. Created by the Ideal Toy Company in 1903, the plush version quickly became a must-have item. But most people dont know that its origins come from the Mississippi Delta or that an African American hunter played an important role. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt arrived at a plantation in the forested region near the Mississippi River at the invitation of Mississippi Governor Andrew H. Longino. After trips hunting big game like buffalo and pronghorn sheep, Roosevelt was desperate to hunt a Louisiana black bear, an animal that had previously eluded the avid sportsman. The subspecies of the American black bear has a long legacy in the region, dating back over 12,000 years. This is the species immortalized by William Faulkner as Old Ben, the legendaryand doomedcreature depicted in The Bear, which is set in the states forests. So Roosevelt sought the expertise of a skilled local hunter. The Myth of the Black Confederate Soldier Growing up enslaved on a plantation outside of Natchez, Holt Collier worked as a hunter on the plantation to provide meat. He killed his first bear at age 10 with his trusted 12-gauge shotgun. By age 14, he fought for the Confederate Army alongside the men of the slaveholding family, served in the cavalry, and became a military spy. By the time he met Roosevelt, the 56-year-old Collier had reportedly killed over 3,000 bears. Despite his life in the segregated South, Collier was trusted for his knowledge on the area and shooting precision. Under pressure to please the president, Collier and his dogs tracked a 250-pound Louisiana black bear in the dense canebrake forest and told Roosevelt to wait for him to drive it to him. But Roosevelt grew tired of waiting and went back to camp for lunch. While the president was away, Collier found a bear, which attacked and killed one of his beloved dogs. Collier was able to knock it unconscious with his gun and tie it up to a tree. But when Roosevelt returned, the president refused to kill the incapacitated bear. It would be unsportsmanlike, he reportedly said. Collier ended up killing the bear, adding to his large tally. Story continues From here, the story became a national legend, appearing in a memorable political cartoon in the Washington Post. The Ideal Toy Company in New York created a plush version of the bear that Roosevelt refused to kill. They called it Teddys bear, later shortened to teddy bear. In 2002, when the teddy bear celebrated its 100th anniversary, it became Mississippis official state toy. One of Ideals original bears is on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The year after his Mississippi hunting trip, the 26th president laid the groundwork for the National Wildlife Refuge system that would ultimately protect the land where he encountered the bear. During his presidency, Roosevelt also set aside land that became five national parks, now known as Americas best idea. Today, the 100,000 acres near the plantation bear his name: the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge. One refuge within the Roosevelt complex also honors Collier, the only wildlife refuge in the country named for an African American, established in 2004. After going on another trip with Roosevelt to Louisiana, Collier died in 1936, age 90. He is buried in Greenville, Mississippi. After the bear was killed by Collier, the skull was saved, bearing the telltale dent from his rifles butt. Its now a part of the Smithsonian Institutions collection in Washington, D.C., and there is also a replica in the Roosevelt Wildlife Refuge visitors center. The visitors center, near the town of Onward, also has interactive exhibits on the wildlife of the Delta and the famous hunting trip. The center is still closed due to the pandemic, but the trails are open for visitors. The Louisiana black bear is still present in the Mississippi Delta despite decades of deforestation and habitat destruction. The state outlawed bear hunting in 1932 and there are an estimated 500-750 bears roaming wild today. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now tracks progress in bear breeding. The endangered Louisiana black bear is occasionally observed on the refuge, says Brett Moule, the project leader of the Theodore Roosevelt NWR Complex. But outdoors lovers can also spot other creatures within the refuges acreage. Most days you can find several alligators sunning along the waters edge, says Moule, and there are also 200 species of bird, white-tailed deer, rabbits, raccoon, opossum, and wild turkey. The gateway to this national wildlife refuge is the community of Rolling Fork, pop. 2,100. It was also the birthplace of blues legend Muddy Waters, and a replica of the cabin where he lived sits in the middle of town. But around every corner are bears. Rolling Fork has 15 wooden bear statues inspired by Roosevelt, carved with a chainsaw by Dayton Scoggins on logs donated by a local lumber company. The library has a reading bear, the police station has an officer bear, and the visitors center has a tourist bear, complete with a selfie stick. Theres also a wooden sculpture of Roosevelt and Collier together in the town square, alongside Teddys bear and one of Colliers beloved hunting dogs. All of the statues can be seen using a map from the visitors center. The town even has an annual bear festival, the Great Delta Bear Affair, which brings in thousands of visitors and is sponsored by wildlife conservation groups. The first Great Delta Bear Affair was held in 2002 to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelts famous bear hunt where he did not kill a bear, says Meg Cooper, coordinator of the Mississippi Lower Delta Partnership. One of the goals of that festival was to call attention to the history of black bears in Mississippi and their current plight. After a year off during the pandemic, its scheduled for October 2021. Roosevelt is known for his role in conservation, but it wouldnt have been possible without a hunter named Holt Collier from rural Mississippi. The teddy bear is a reminder of the Magnolia States role in a classic American story. Caroline Eubanks is the award-winning author of This Is My South: The Essential Travel Guide to the Southern United States. Her work has appeared in The Bitter Southerner, Travel + Leisure, InsideHook, Southern Living, and Mental Floss. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Jul. 3JACINTO Under the hot sun and storied history of a local political tradition, some mostly Alcorn County lawmakers were not enthusiastic about tackling medical marijuana in a special session. At the annual Jacinto July 4th Celebration event, held on Saturday, a handful of local legislators told the Daily Journal they prefer addressing medical cannabis and the voter referendum process during next year's regular legislative session. Quote State Rep. Nick Bain, R-Corinth, said he is not outright opposed to going special into session to address marijuana and the initiative process, but believes lawmakers should probably just wait to address both issues beginning next year, instead of this summer. "If we don't have a special session to address these issues the initiative process and medical marijuana I think those need to be the first things we address when we go back to our regular session," Bain said. Bain said he did not have any specific measures that he would specifically like to see in a program because he has not been active in drafting any legislation on the issue. Typically, the Legislature is in session at the Capitol in Jackson from January to April. But the governor can call a special session at any time to address a particular topic. After the Mississippi Supreme Court struck down the state's initiative process over technicalities and ruled that the state's medical marijuana program was improperly placed on the ballot, advocates of medical marijuana have urged the governor to call a special session. State Sen. Rita Potts Parks, R-Corinth, echoed many of Bain's sentiments. Parks said she wants to see the state get a medical marijuana program "right" instead of rushing a program. Despite her reticence to go back to a special session, Parks, who is a member of the Senate Public Health Committee, said the issue needs to be addressed. "A large percentage of people in the state voted for medical marijuana," Parks said. "We do need to deal with this." Story continues Parks said she would like to see limited places in the state where marijuana could be purchased and allow local governments some zoning control over marijuana dispensaries in their communities. State Rep. Lester "Bubba" Carpenter, R-Burnsville, was more frank in his view of such a session. Carpenter said even though there's a lot of energy and anticipation around the issue, he believes the Legislature should take its time and evaluate medical marijuana programs other states have implemented. "We really need to study this thing," Carpenter said. "We don't need to invent the wheel. We need to tailor ours to our needs, and we need to get it right." Since the state's highest court struck the marijuana program down, the Senate Public Health Committee has conducted two hearings to try and determine what type of marijuana program the state should have and what regulations should be in place. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has previously said that he is in favor of calling lawmakers back into session to address medical marijuana, but only if lawmakers can agree on the program's specifics beforehand. taylor.vance@djournal.com Jul. 3ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Border officials found dozens of migrants in two separate "stash houses" on Wednesday in Sunland Park and El Paso. U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Joel Freeland said agents found a total of 65 migrants. He said 43 individuals were "trying to hide" inside a home in Sunland Park and another 22 in a home in central El Paso. The groups were mostly from Ecuador but also included people from Nicaragua, Mexico and El Salvador. "Our El Paso Sector integrated targeting teams continue to disrupt human smuggling by transnational criminal organizations in our region," El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said. "We will continue to work together with other agencies to rescue these migrants from these deplorable living conditions where they are held for long periods of time." Freeland said all the migrants found on Wednesday were single adults and all 65 were returned to Mexico in accordance with Title 42 a pandemic-period policy that prohibit entry into the U.S. based on a "serious danger of the introduction of (a communicable) disease into the United States." Implemented in March 2020, Title 42 has been used to swiftly expel to Mexico undocumented border-crossers who come from "coronavirus-impacted areas." Freeland said the El Paso Sector has seen a "significant increase" 261% of single adults crossing the border illegally in 2021 compared with 2019. "As of the end of May 2021,the El Paso Sector has encountered 86,536 single adults," he said. Jul. 3ARCHBOLD, Ohio For 36 people from 21 different countries, this year's Fourth of July celebration will be their first as American citizens. "I'm almost lightheaded," said Ingrid Peters, originally from Jamaica, after she took the final oath to become a citizen Saturday at Sauder Village north of Archbold. "Today is an awesome day." The ceremony was the living-history museum's 10th such naturalization event throughout the years, said Debbie Sauder David, its president and chief executive. "Each of these days has been a lasting memory for all who work here," she said during the ceremony as she welcomed the new American citizens. "We are so excited to be part of your journey." Flags lined the sidewalk, the Fort Defiance Dixieland Jazz Band performed The Star-Spangled Banner, and Boy Scout Troop 63 led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. "This is a celebration of the American spirit," said U.S. District Court Judge James Knepp, who presided over the event. Kathy Held, a Philippines native who became naturalized in 2012, also spoke during the ceremony and shared her experience in becoming a citizen. Her citizenship ceremony also took place in Sauder Village, she said, at the end of a years-long journey. "As of today, your story is woven into the larger story of this nation," she told the new citizens. "You have rights, and you have responsibilities." Ms. Held moved to Ohio on Feb. 26, 2008, after meeting her husband years before. She spoke of the challenges and difficulties she faced, including her husband's death five years ago, leaving her as a single mother to their children. But she also emphasized the hard work and determination that helped get her to where she is today. "Here in America, if you believe, you can do something great," she said. "In the end, your story and mine end with one word. Success." Ms. Peters had been working toward citizenship for years, she said, after coming to the United States almost a decade ago. Members of her family were already living in the country, and she initially decided to make the move for the financial and economic opportunities. Story continues "That's the real main reason," she said. "Then you come and you meet people and you get family." Betty Mario, originally from Fiji, came to the United States on a work-study scholarship at the University of Hawaii. The process to becoming a citizen isn't easy, she said, and involves, among other procedures, very thorough background checks and proof of continuous residency. Once she started the application process, she had to notify officials whenever she moved, Ms. Mario said. But it was worth it, she said, and she's been dreaming about the day she would become a citizen for a long time. "It is everything," she said. Newly naturalized citizens were Ms. Peters, Ms. Mario, Victoire Adzo Adissem, Eman Ismail Alojeami, Venu Gopala Reddy Bommana, Sandra Mildred Cadena, Seema Chaudhary, Yanran Chen, Douaa Said Chokr, Luisaanny Patricia Delgado, Judit Ender, Denise Arlet Eubanks, Sueli Ester Fackelman, Everardo Franco Gonzalez, Lourdes Suarez Hernandez, Sneha Kommoori, David Loewen, Cecilia Mata, Javel Anthony Mighty, Giselle Gomez Milanes, Veronica Becerra Navarro, Swan North, Ajay Sudhakar Padhye, Fernando Parga, Maria Teresa Parga, Sudhaben Arvindbhai Patel, and Jose Miguel Alvarez Pita. Countries represented were Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines, Romania, Spain, Syria, Togo, and the United Kingdom. After the ceremony, the crowd applauded and cheered, offering congratulations as the new citizens took pictures and registered to vote. First Published July 3, 2021, 4:38pm Stand-in Ireland captain James Ryan hopes to shake off the lingering injury issues that have affected him in recent months once he completes his international duties next weekend. The Leinster lock was a doubt for Saturday afternoons hard-fought 39-31 Test victory over Japan because of an adductor problem that seemed to scupper a place of linking up with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa. However, Ryan was passed fit and led Ireland out in front of 3,000 supporters at the Aviva Stadium as regular skipper Johnny Sexton has been rested for the summer assignments alongside Keith Earls and Cian Healy. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Ireland now turn their attention to a clash against the United States next Saturday, which will mark the end of a long and at times frustrating campaign for Ryan, who is determined to use the off-season to his advantage. The last couple of weeks I was managed quite a lot, a credit to the physios for getting me back, it was a huge honour to lead the boys, Ryan said. At times throughout the season Ive had niggles and little breaks in the game, I probably havent been able to put games and weeks together the way I would have liked. After these next couple of games it will be a good window for myself to work on little niggles so I can commit fully physically into next season and beyond. But leading the boys was a huge honour and were really happy with the result. With seven of their contingent on Lions duty, plus the senior trio of Sexton, Earls and Healy absent, there was a fresh look to Ireland for their first meeting against the Brave Blossoms since the 2019 World Cup pool stages. On that occasion, the tournament hosts sprung a major surprise in Shizuoka but despite an error-strewn first-half showing in Dublin, Ireland went in at the interval 19-17 ahead before a better outing after the break. Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham, Josh Van Der Flier and Jacob Stockdale touched down while Joey Carbery added the extras to four tries before two late penalties ultimately took the wind out of Japans sails. Story continues The game in 2019 was one of the toughest games Ive played, Ryan added. Thankfully it wasnt as humid in Dublin as it was in Shizuoka! When you saw this game on the fixture list you knew it was going to be a very tough day and thats exactly what it was. Jacob Stockdale scored the last of Irelands five tries (Donall Farmer/PA) Their attack is their point of difference, really, their organisation, their knowhow, so it was very, very tough out there. We were certainly blowing pretty heavy, particularly in the first half, but I thought it was a great effort defensively at times. We did concede 31 points but we stuck in there, I thought the guys that came off the bench had a great impact, a great energy which was big for us in that last quarter. A good learning for us all-round. Its the first time weve had our fans in 18 months in the Aviva. Even 3,000 makes a massive difference for us. Yankton, SD (57078) Today Thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 76F. ESE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has held that adoption cannot be restricted to children who have been orphaned, abandoned or those in conflict with law, and cited that the Juvenile Justice Act permits adoption of children of relatives. A single bench of Justice Manish Pitale on Wednesday made the observation while hearing a petition filed by a couple seeking to adopt their minor niece. The couple was the maternal uncle and aunt of the child, and the parents had agreed to the adoption. The couple had approached the High Court after the district court of Yavatmal rejected their plea on the ground that the child was not an orphan, in conflict with law, abandoned by parents or in need of care and protection. Justice Pitale noted that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act not only intends to take care of children who are in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection, but also to provide for and regulate adoption of children from relatives and adoption by a step-parent. The court noted that in the present case, the petitioners were the maternal uncle and aunt of the child, and hence, are covered in the definition of 'relative' under the Act. "Under the scheme of the Juvenile Justice Act and the regulations, adoption of children cannot be restricted only to children in conflict with law or those in need of care and protection or only those who are orphaned, abandoned or surrendered by their parents," the court said in its judgment. Justice Pitale quashed and set aside the order passed by the lower court and directed it to consider the application filed by the couple afresh as expeditiously as possible. The High Court, in its order, noted that while initially adoption was undertaken primarily to continue family lineage and ancestor worship, with passage of time, adoption has been undertaken to address the needs of children in distress and those in need of care and protection. Live TV Kabul: The Taliban's march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan, officials said Sunday (July 4). More than 300 Afghan military personnel crossed from Afghanistan's Badakhshan province as Taliban fighters advanced toward the border, Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security said in a statement. The Afghan troops crossed over at about 6:30 pm local time Saturday. "Guided by the principles of humanism and good neighborliness," the Tajik authorities allowed the retreating Afghan National Defense and Security Forces to cross into Tajikistan, said the statement. Since mid-April, when US President Joe Biden announced the end to Afghanistan's "forever war," the Taliban have made strides throughout the country. But their most significant gains have been in the northern half of the country, a traditional stronghold of the US-allied warlords who helped defeat them in 2001. The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centers in Afghanistan. The gains in northeastern Badakhshan province in recent days have mostly come to the insurgent movement without a fight, said Mohib-ul Rahman, a provincial council member. He blamed Taliban successes on the poor morale of troops who are mostly outnumbered and without resupplies. "Unfortunately, the majority of the districts were left to Taliban without any fight," said Rahman. In the last three days, 10 districts fell to Taliban, eight without a fight, he said. Hundreds of Afghan army, police, and intelligence troops surrendered their military outposts and fled to the Badakhshan provincial capital of Faizabad, said Rahman. Even as a security meeting was being held early Sunday to plot the strengthening of the perimeter around the capital, some senior provincial officials were leaving Faizabad for the capital Kabul, he said. In late June the Afghan government resurrected militias with a reputation of brutal violence to support the beleaguered Afghan forces but Rahman said many of the militias in the Badakhshan districts put up only a half-hearted fight. The areas under Taliban control in the north are increasingly strategic, running along Afghanistan's border with Central Asian states. Last month the religious movement took control of Imam Sahib, a town in Kunduz province opposite Uzbekistan, and gained control of a key trade route. The inroads in Badakhshan are particularly significant as it is the home province of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was killed by a suicide bomber in 2011. His son, Salahuddin Rabbani, is part of the current High Council for National Reconciliation. The slain former president also led Afghanistan's Jamiat-e-Islami, which was the party of famed anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud, killed by a suicide bomber two days before the 9/11 attacks in America. The Interior Ministry issued a statement Saturday saying the defeats were temporary although it was not clear how they would regain control. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the fall of the districts and said most were without a fight. The Taliban in previous surrenders have shown videos of Afghan soldiers taking transportation money and returning to their homes. Live TV New Delhi: A week after the drone attack at Jammu's Air Force base, the Srinagar administration on Sunday banned the sale, possession and use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles in the city. An order signed by the Srinagar's deputy commissioner Mohammad Aijaz directed citizens possessing drone cameras or other similar kinds of unmanned aerial vehicles to deposit them in local police stations, PTI reported. "The decentralised airspace access has to be regulated in view of recent episodes of misuse of drones posing threat to security infrastructure as reported by media/other reliable sources," the order read. However, government departments using drones for mapping, surveys and surveillance in agricultural, environmental conservation and disaster mitigation sectors have been exempted though, they have been directed to inform the local police station before using them. The administration cautioned that any violation of the guidelines will attract punitive action, and directed police to implement the restrictions in letter and spirit. The order to ban the use of drones came after the recommendations of the city's police chief. Live TV New Delhi: A day after the Supreme Court directed the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to provide an 'opt-out' option to a candidate, the Institute made an important announcement on Thursday (July 1, 2021). SK Garg, Additional Secretary (Exams), released detailed guidelines for students appearing in the CA exams scheduled from July 5 after a three-judge bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Aniruddha Bose made it clear that a candidate need not produce RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test if a medical certificate issued by registered medical practitioners for his family members is produced along with a request for opting out. All you need to know about ICAI's opt-out option for CA Exams: 1. The ICAI has said that a student is entitled to exercise the opting out option if he/she personally, or any of his/her family members (residing at the same premises), has suffered COVID-19 on or after April 15 and the fact is certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner, as a result of which he/she is unable to appear in the ensuing examination and is disabled in preparing for the examination. In such cases, July 2021 Examination will not be considered as an attempt. The Institute stated that such students will be permitted to appear in the subsequent next examination, to be held in November 2021 for the old as well as new syllabus. Such students are also not needed to produce an RTPCR report if a medical certificate issued by the registered Medical Practitioner for himself/ herself or his/her family member is presented along with the request for opting out. 2. The Institute said that the examinees who are affected due to lockdown during the relevant period of examination, such students are entitled to opt-out and July 2021 examinations will not be treated as an attempt. Such examinees will also be allowed to appear in November 2021 examination for the old as well new syllabus. 3. The ICAI has said that if any student has been infected with COVID-19 while appearing in July 2021 examination and is unable to appear in the remaining subjects, he/she will be entitled to opt-out and July 2021 examinations will not be treated as an attempt. Such students can also appear in the November 2021 examination for the old as well new syllabus. 4. If a student has opted out of any paper during the entire cycle of the examination, then he/she will not be allowed to appear in any of the remaining papers. 5. If a student has appeared for the first group and then opts out before the conclusion of the examination of the last paper of the second group, the result of the first group will be declared and an opt-out option will apply only to the second group. 6. In case if the CA Examination cannot be held at any of the examination centres or cities due to COVID-19 restrictions or the examination centre being in a containment zone, such examinees are entitled to opt-out and July 2021 examinations will not be treated as an attempt. Such students can appear in the next examination, scheduled to be held in November 2021 for the old as well as new syllabus. The Institute has also advised candidates to stay in touch with their official website at www.icai.org. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (July 4, 2021), a day after the Congress demanded a JPC probe into the Rafale deal, took it to his official social media handle to take a hit at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. The Congress leader shared an image on his Instagram account with the caption: 'Chor ki dadhi' (thief's beard). The opposition has been raising questions in the Rafale deal for 36 fighter jets worth 7.8 billion Euros, which was signed in 2016 between the Indian government and French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Rahul Gandhi also put out an online survey asking 'why the Modi government is not ready for the JCB probe'. Among the choices given by the Congress leader to the question were: guilt conscience, saving friends, JPC does not want a Rajya Sabha seat and all the above. "Why is the Modi government not ready for a JPC probe? -- guilt conscience, saving the friends, JPC does not want a Rajya Sabha seat and all of these are right," Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter, while putting out the survey. JPC ? Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 4, 2021 The social media posts come amid the oppositions allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal for a long now and had made this a major poll plank in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which the Congress lost badly. A French judge has been appointed to lead a "highly sensitive" judicial probe into suspected "corruption" and "favouritism" in the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal with India, a PTI report said. The Congress has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee(JPC) probe into the Rafale deal, alleging corruption in the purchase of the fighter jets, and said such an investigation is the only way forward to find the truth. The main opposition party had further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should order the investigation and come clean on the deal. (With PTI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Amid concerns over the third wave of coronavirus hitting India, a scientist of a government panel tasked with modelling COVID-19 cases has said that the possible wave can reach its peak between October and November. Manindra Agarwal, who is working with the Sutra Model -- the mathematical projection of the trajectory of COVID-19, said that the coronavirus infection can spread faster during the third wave if 'any new virulent variant' of SARS-CoV-2 emerges. He stated that it can take place if COVID-appropriate behaviour is not followed, but may see half the daily cases recorded during the second surge. Agarwal added that the loss of immunity, effects of vaccination and the possibility of a more virulent variant have been factored in this time, which was not done while modelling the second wave. "We have created three scenarios. One is optimistic, where we assume that life goes back to normal by August and there is no new mutant. Another is intermediate wherein we assume that vaccination is 20 per cent less effective in addition to optimistic scenario assumptions. The final one is pessimistic with assumptions different from the intermediate one: a new 25 per cent more infectious mutant spreads in August (it is not Delta plus, which is not more infectious than Delta variant)," Agarwal said. Over 1.5 lakh daily cases during third COVID-19 wave Manindra Agarwal stated that the third wave of coronavirus could see daily COVID-19 cases rise up between 1,50,000 and 2,00,000 in India. The figure, however, is less than half of what was recorded when the second wave had hit its peak in May that had led to the flooding of hospitals with patients and had claimed over thousands of lives daily. "If a new mutant emerges, the third wave could spread rapidly, but it will be half of what the second wave was. Delta variant is infecting people who contracted a different variant earlier. So this has been taken into consideration," the scientist said. He also said that as vaccination progresses, the possibility of a third or fourth wave will be less. ALSO READ | As Moderna readies to make an entry into India, list of other COVID-19 vaccine options available Less hospitalisation during third wave of COVID-19 M Vidyasagar, another member of the panel member, said that the number of people getting hospitalised is expected to be less during the third wave of COVID-19. He cited the example of the United Kingdom where in January witnessed more than 60,000 cases with daily deaths touching 1,200. However, during the fourth wave, the number dropped to 21,000 cases and just 14 deaths. "Vaccination played a major role in bringing down the cases that needed hospitalisation in the UK. This has been factored in while coming out with the three scenarios," Vidyasagar said. ALSO READ | Both doses of vaccine give around 98 per cent protection from death due to COVID-19: Centre This is to be noted that the panel was formed by the Department of Science and Technology in 2020 to forecast the surge of COVID-19 cases using mathematical models. Besides Agarwal, an IIT-Kanpur scientist and Vidyasagar, an IIT-Hyderabad scientist, the panel also has Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, Deputy Chief (Medical) of Integrated Defence Staff. (With inputs from PTI news agency) Live TV New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday (July 3) convened a review meeting with the officials of the electricity department and power distribution companies. CM Arvind Kejriwal discussed in detail the current status of the power supply in Delhi amidst the increasing peak demand for electricity in the capital. He also directed the department officials to identify areas in need of transformers for improved power supply and insulate or make high-tension wires underground for the safety of the people. Power minister Satyendar Jain, ACS Satya Gopal, CEOs of all power distribution companies, and officials of the power department were also present in the meeting. Had a review meeting with the officials of electricity department & power distribution companies today. Discussed in detail the current status of power supply in Delhi amidst the peak demand for electricity in the capital. pic.twitter.com/aWZgMMjLCL Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 3, 2021 He tweeted, "Had a review meeting with the officials of electricity department & power distribution companies today. Discussed in detail the current status of power supply in Delhi amidst the peak demand for electricity in the capital." Deliberating on the current power situation in Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "Every year, Delhi goes through an average 4-5% increased demand for power due to increase in consumption because of new customers and increased prosperity every year. We have successfully been able to meet the growing demand until now and are supplying 24x7 power to all the residents of Delhi." "Companies or DISCOMS that are facing issues in fixing transformers in certain areas due to lack of space, shall intimate the government about the locations. The government shall assist the DISCOMS in fixing transformers in those areas. The overhead cables shall be either made underground or insulated," he added. In the next year, the Delhi government is preparing to meet over 8500 MW as the peak demand for electricity. The peak demand for electricity until now is 7323 MW. Live TV New Delhi: After East Delhi markets including Laxmi Nagar were shut, now Punjabi Basti and Janata market in Nangloi area have been closed for not following COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, PTI reported. The order issued by Sub Divisional Magistrate (Punjabi Bagh) Shalesh Kumar stated that as the general public, as well as shopkeepers, are not following coronavirus protocols, these markets are being shut for two days. "Amid the possibility of a third wave of COVID-19 pandemic and considering gross violation of existing health protocol under Covid appropriate behaviour in these markets, the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Punjabi Bagh under DDMA Act, 2005, do hereby order for shutting down the entire market of Punjabi Basti and Janta Market, Nangloi from July 4 to 6, the order read. In case any shopkeeper does not follow this order, necessary action as per law would be taken against them, the order added. Earlier this week, East Delhi markets were closed till July 5 due to non-compliance with COVID-19 norms. However, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Friday (July 2) allowed the reopening of Laxmi Nagar market with a few conditions from Saturday. It asked officials to set up a mobile testing van in the area and organise COVID-19 vaccination drives for shopkeepers and vendors. The decision was taken after DDMA received written assurance from the market associations, Chamber of Trade and Industry and shopkeepers. The Delhi government imposed a complete lockdown from April 19 which lasted till May 30. The national capital has since been witnessing a phased unlock process. Meanwhile, on Saturday (July 3), 86 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus infection, and five deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll in the city has mounted to 24,988, the latest health bulletin said. (With agency inputs) Live TV Dehradun: Some BJP leaders are reportedly upset with the party high command, apart from Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Bishan Singh Chuphal, other MLAs are also allegedly angry with the party leadership and may approach with their grievances, according to BJP sources. While talking to Zee Media, BJP leader Bishan Singh Chuphal denied his displeasure at the choice of Pushkar Singh Dhami as Chief Minister though, he admitted that a he had a word with Harak Singh Rawat and Satpal Maharaj on the matter. "Everyone can sit together and talk. They can make the state leadership aware of their grievances. I am ready to take the oath if the call comes," he said. However, Bishan Singh Chuphal denies any kind of resentment. The disgruntled MLAs are likely to meet with the state party president Madan Kaushik over the issue. Reportedly Chief Minister elect Pushkar Dhami and BJP state in-charge Dushyant Gautam called called Bishan Singh Chuphal. Meanwhile, Senior BJP leader and MP Ajay Bhatt has categorically denied any resentment among party leaders. He said that whatever decision the party leadership has taken is accepted by all. Dhami, a two-time MLA from Khatima, was unanimously elected as its leader by the Uttarakhand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party on Saturday. He will become the youngest chief minister of Uttarakhand on Sunday. Dhami will take oath as the chief minister on Sunday. He will be the third CM in almost four months. Notably, Assembly polls to the 70-member House in the hill state is scheduled for early next year. Live TV The Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (HPBOSE) is likely to release the HP TET 2021 Admit Card soon. The candidates must note that HPBOSE has not specified any exact date of release of the HP TET admit card 2021, as per official notification on the website hpbose.org, the admit cards are likely to release four days before the exam. Himachal Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (HPBOSE) is going to conduct the HP TET 2021 exam from July 9 to 12. The registration for the HP TET 2021 registrations is over and the offline exam is scheduled to be conducted on four consecutive days. With the offline exam scheduled to commence from July 9, 2021, the HP TET admit card for this years exam will therefore be released online on July 5, 2021. Soon after the formal release of the HP TET 2021 Admit card, the same will be available on the official website of the board and candidates can download the hall tickets by logging in with the application number and date of birth. Earlier, the Himachal Board of School Education (HPBoSE) had extended the last date to register for the Himachal Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) June 2021 exam (with late fees) till June 21. Earlier, the deadline to submit the application form (with late fees) was June 18. Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, July 4 greeted President Joe Biden and the people of the United States on the country's 245th Independence Day. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, PM Modi said India and the US, as vibrant democracies, share values of freedom and liberty and their strategic partnership has a truly global significance. "Warm felicitations and greetings to Joe Biden and the people of the USA on their 245th Independence Day. As vibrant democracies, India and USA share values of freedom and liberty. Our strategic partnership has a truly global significance," he wrote. Warm felicitations and greetings to @POTUS @JoeBiden and the people of the USA on their 245th Independence Day. As vibrant democracies, India and USA share values of freedom and liberty. Our strategic partnership has a truly global significance. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2021 The US celebrates its Independence Day on July 4. New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was on Saturday (July 3, 2021) admitted to a hospital in Lucknow. As per sources, Singh, a senior BJP leader, was taken to Lohia Hospital after reporting a swelling in the body. On receiving the news of Kalyan Singh's hospitalisation, incumbent UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Sunday morning visited the 89-year old and inquired about his health condition. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visits Lucknow's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital to meet ailing former UP Chief Minister and BJP leader Kalyan Singh Singh was admitted to the hospital late last night. pic.twitter.com/9Gu15A8hj8 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 4, 2021 This is to be noted that in 2020, the veteran leader was admitted to a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. He was then discharged after over a month on October 12. Kalyan Singh had first become the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in 1991 when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had reportedly come to the power with a majority for the first time under his leadership. Singh has also served as the Rajasthan Governor. Live TV Dehradun: Soon after being anointed as the 11th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami held the first cabinet meeting at the secretariat in Dehradun on Sunday (July 4). Following the meeting, cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal said that important decisions regarding employment for youth were taken. "Very important decisions in the interest of the state's youth and the unemployed were taken at the cabinet meeting," Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal said. A detailed briefing on the cabinet meeting will be held on Monday, PTI reported citing sources. Earlier in the day, Dhami was sworn in as chief minister at Raj Bhawan in Dehradun. The oath was administered by Governor Baby Rani Maurya at the lawns of the Raj Bhawan in the presence of several MPs, MLAs, party functionaries and senior government officials. I have been working among youngsters and I understand the issues very well. COVID has impacted their livelihood. We will try to make the situation better for them & will try to appoint youngsters for the vacant posts in the State, Pushkar Singh Dhami said after taking oath. When asked about reports of MLAs displeasure over party choosing him as CM Dhami said, I'm younger in age. Everyone is experienced. For my party, who has given me this opportunity, it's my duty to keep younger and older members together and take party's and state's work forward. On being asked if the change of CM will have an effect on the next assembly elections Dhami said, No, it will have no impact on the next Assembly elections. So many projects of development have been implemented in Uttarakhand by State & Central governments. At 45, Dhami became the youngest Chief Minister of the state. After taking oath, the new CM said that he would try to provide jobs to the youth of the state. Dhami became the third CM of the hill state in nearly four months. He is a two-time MLA from Khatima constituency in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. BJPs Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Bansidhar Bhagat, Bishan Singh Chufal, Subodh Uniyal and five others were sworn in as ministers in the state cabinet. BJP on Saturday elected Pushkar Singh Dhami as the new leader of BJP legislature party in Uttarakhand. Dhami replaced Tirath Singh Rawat, who resigned within four months of taking charge from Trivendra Singh Rawat. The announcement was made by BJP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts at the CoWIN Global Conclave on Monday, July 5 at 3 pm as India offers CoWIN portal to the world to combat COVID-19 crisis, the Centre informed. The government decided to share the open-source platform CoWin to help other countries organise their vaccination drive in better ways in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Government of India introduced the CoWIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Work) app for the vaccination process. It is used for registration and appointment for vaccination against COVID-19. The application was first introduced in January 2021, when India began its vaccination drive. The app has often been considered as the backbone technology of the vaccination drive in the country. While many have also criticised the dependence on the digital platform, it has enabled digitally literate population of the country to access the government's services. On Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla called the CoWin app, a "scalable, inclusive and open technological" platform developed by India, it can be customized and scaled up for health interventions across the globe. Around 50 countries are expected to seek information about the platform. The countries that have registered interest in the platform include Canada, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Uganda, Vietnam, Iraq, Dominican Republic, the UAE and others. (With inputs from agency) Live TV New Delhi: Pushkar Singh Dhami will take oath as new chief minister of Uttarakhand on Sunday (July 4, 2021). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Saturday, elected Pushkar Singh Dhami as the new leader of BJP legislature party in Uttarakhand. Pushkar Singh Dhami will replace Tirath Singh Rawat, who resigned within four months of taking charge from Trivendra Singh Rawat. The announcement was made by BJP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. "During the legislature party meeting, it was decided to appoint Pushkar Singh Dhami as Uttarakhand BJP legislature party leader. We went to the Governor to discuss the partys decision. The oath-taking ceremony is to be held tomorrow," Tomar told ANI. Uttarakhand on Sunday will get their 11th and the youngest Chief Minister. 45-year-old Dhami will be the hill state's youngest-ever CM. Earlier, the title was held by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank who had become the Chief Minister at age of 49. Dhami will be the third CM of the hill state in nearly four months. He is a two-time MLA from Khatima constituency in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. After the announcement, Dhami while addressing the media said, "common party worker has been given a chance to serve the state. I am thankful to the partys high command." "My party has appointed a common worker, son of an ex-serviceman, who was born in the border district of Pithoragarh to serve the people. We'll work on people's issues with the cooperation of all. I will carry forward the work done by my predecessors," he said. "We accept the challenge and we will take forward the party and serve the people," Dhami added. On Friday, Tirath Singh Rawat had handed over his resignation to Governor citing that there could be a 'constitutional crisis'. Talking to reporters, Rawat said, "I have submitted my resignation to Governor. Given the constitutional crisis, I felt it was right for me to resign. I am thankful to the central leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for every opportunity they have given to me so far. Tirath Singh Rawat took over as the Chief Minister on March 10 this year. He had to be elected to the state assembly within six months since he was not an MLA and there was uncertainty over bypolls being held in the state since assembly elections are due in less than a year. Former Uttarakhand minister and Congress leader Navprabhat had earlier this week written to the Election Commission urging it to "clear the confusion" in the state regarding by-polls. The Congress leader quoted Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates that the Election Commission fill the casual vacancies in state legislatures through bye-elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more. (With ANI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Sunday (July 4) that it would examine the original records of the statements of Yoga guru Ramdev on the use of allopathic medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic following his plea to stay investigation and transfer the cases lodged against him in this connection to Delhi. Multiple FIRs have been lodged against Ramdev in Patna and Raipur following complaints by the Indian Medical Association, according to news agency PTI. A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and justices A S Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy would on Monday hear the plea on Monday (July 5) of Ramdev seeking clubbing of the FIRs on the issue and their transfer to Delhi. As an interim relief, Ramdev has also urged for a stay on the investigation in connection with the criminal complaints. What is the original thing which he has said? You have not placed the whole thing, the bench had observed which prompted senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, to say that the original records of his statements would be filed. The criminal complaints have been lodged by Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Bihar and Chhattisgarh over his alleged remarks against the use of allopathic medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Patna and Raipur chapters of the IMA have lodged complaints against Ramdev,alleging that his remarks are likely to cause prejudice to the COVID control mechanism and may dissuade people from availing proper treatment against the pandemic. The yoga guru has been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC have been invoked against him. Ramdev, whose alleged statements stirred a nationwide debate over the issue of Allopathy versus Ayurveda, however, had withdrawn his statements on May 23 after receiving a letter from Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who had called his remarks as "inappropriate". The top court is likely to also consider a plea of the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) which has sought permission to become a party to the case, alleging that Ramdev insulted allopathy and "instigated" people to disregard vaccines and treatment protocols. The DMA, having 15,000 Delhi doctors as members, has claimed that Ramdev's Patanjali earned over Rs 1,000 crore by selling Coronil kits which were not approved by medical bodies. (With inputs from news agencies) Live TV Ghaziabad: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said those asking Muslims to leave the country cannot call themselves Hindus and those indulging in lynching people in the name of cows must know that they are against Hindutva. While attending an event organised by Muslim Rashtriya Manch in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, Bhagwat said the DNA of all Indians are the same. He further, urged Muslims not to get "trapped in the cycle of fear" about Islam being in danger in India. However, he said that there have been some "false cases" of lynching at times that have been filed against some people. He allayed fears on the rise of majoritarianism in India, Bhagwat said, "If anyone says that Muslims should not stay in India, then he is not a Hindu." Bhagwat said that neither the Sangh is in politics nor does it bother about maintaining an image. "It keeps on doing its work to strengthen the nation and for the welfare of all in the society," he said. He insisted that this not some image makeover or vote bank politics for the RSS to woo Muslims ahead of assembly elections, he said his organisation firmly believes that in a democracy like India, the only dominance can be of Indians, rather than of Hindus or Muslims. Live TV New Delhi: Exuding confidence after BJPs victory in Uttar Pradesh Zila Panchayat chairperson election on Saturday (July 3), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that his party will win more than 300 seats in the 403-seat state Assembly elections in 2022. In the recently concluded Zila Panchayat elections, UP BJP claimed its party-backed candidates won 67 of 75 seats. CM Adityanath told ANI, BJP candidates won 67 out of 75 district panchayat chairperson seats. I thank BJP workers. BJP will win 2022 elections with huge margin. We'll win more than 300 seats. #WATCH | Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's reply to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's allegation that the BJP has won district panchayat chairperson seats by misusing administration power. pic.twitter.com/4MpZBdnxIc ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 3, 2021 Talking about All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi whose party will participate in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next year, Adityanath said that the BJP accepts his challenge. Asaduddin Owaisi is a big leader of our nation. If he has challenged BJP (for 2022 Assembly elections) then BJP's worker accepts his (Asaduddin Owaisi) challenge. There is no doubt that BJP will form government in Uttar Pradesh, the UP CM added. The saffron party leader also denied Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadavs claims that the BJP "kidnapped" and used "force" on electors to prevent them from voting in the Zila Panchayat chairperson elections. In the 53 seats which went to polls on Saturday, SP candidates could win only five seats. Other seats SP-supported candidates bagged were Etah, Sant Kabirnagar, Azamgarh and Ballia. In his tweet, after the results were declared, the UP CM credited PM Narendra Modis welfare-oriented policies for BJPs swooping victory. "The historic victory of BJP in Uttar Pradesh Zila Parishad chief polls is the outcome of the welfare-oriented policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a reflection of the faith of people in good governance in Uttar Pradesh. Thanks and hearty congratulations to the people of the state," he said in a tweet in Hindi. On Tuesday, Chairpersons of 22 zila panchayats were declared elected unopposed. Of these, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed to have won 21 seats and one was won by SP. The state Election Commission did not announce the party affiliation of the winning candidates. (With agency inputs) Live TV Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) is expected to reveal the Class 10 and Class 12 board result date 2021 soon. Students should keep track of the official website of the UP Board to keep an eye on the latest updates from UPMSP on Class 10 and Class 12 results 2021. A senior official from the board said that no decision on UP Board Results 2021 has been taken so far. The board has not decided the result declaration date of the UP Class 10 and Class 12 exams. The students should keep a check on the official website. Students may have to wait a little longer before the result dates are announced by the UP board. However, reports have it that UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results are likely to be announced by the end of July. UP Board Results 2021: Marking Scheme :- Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma had earlier announced the marking scheme (assessment criteria) for UP Board Class 10, 12 results 2021. Class 12th Students will be assessed based on this criterion: 50 percent marks obtained in Class 10, 40 percent of marks obtained in Class 11 annual examination or half-yearly examination, 10 percent marks obtained in pre-board of Class 12. Students of UP Board Class 10th will be evaluated on the following criteria: 50 percent of marks obtained in class 9 and 50 percent of marks obtained in pre-boards of class 10. In cases where students are not satisfied with their board results, they can choose to appear in the next board examination without paying any fees. A total of 56,04,628 students had registered themselves for the UP board exams 2021. Live TV New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC) has announced the dates of the Preliminary Eligibility Test (UPSSSC PET) 2021. According to the notice issued by the commission, the UPSSSC PET 2021 will be held in August. The candidates who will be appearing in the examination can check the notification on the official website of the commission. UPSSSC has also selected the examination agencies. On Friday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a meeting with the chiefs of the recruitment selection commission, had approved the proposal by the commission for the UPSSSC PET examination. The commission also announced that the examination will be conducted in two shifts. The exam will be conducted in over 3000 examination centers across all the districts of the state on August 20, 2021. The candidates need to note that the commission will release the detailed schedule of the examination by the last week of this month. The candidates also need to note that the UPSSSC PET 2021 exam is going to be for 2 hours, in which they will have to answer 100 multiple choice questions of 100 marks, i.e each question carrying 01 marks. Questions will be asked from the topics related to General Awareness, Current Affairs, General Hindi, Elementary Mathematics, Reasoning etc. The application process for UPSSSC PET 2021 began on May 25, 2021 and was concluded on June 21, 2021. Live TV New Delhi: Days after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party ruled out forging any major alliances for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Congress' state unit chief Ajay Kumar Lallu on Sunday expressed confidence that his party has the capacity to fight the elections without aligning with either of them and form the next government on its own. He also said the Congress would fight the assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh next year under Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "dekh-rekh (supervision)", and that under her leadership, the party would make a comeback in the state after over three decades. ALSO READ | UP Assembly polls: BJP will win more than 300 seats, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath In an interview with PTI, Lallu said the Congress has emerged as the main challenger to the "oppressive" UP government and claimed that his party with just five legislators has proven to be a more effective opposition than the Samajwadi Party (SP) which has 49 MLAs in the 403-member assembly. He said "winds of change" were blowing in the state and added, "Badlav ki aandhi hai, jiska naam Priyanka Gandhi hai (There is a storm of change and its name is Priyanka Gandhi)." The UP Congress chief asserted that the Congress organisation has been strengthened at various levels in the state under Priyanka Gandhi's leadership. Asked if Priyanka Gandhi should be made the chief ministerial face by the party for the UP polls, Lallu said it is the party's national leadership that would decide on who should be the chief ministerial face. Pressed on whether Priyanka Gandhi would be the party's face in the run up to the polls, Lallu said she is the state's in-charge and the elections will be fought under her supervision. "The people of Uttar Pradesh are looking at the Congress with hope. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the workers and under her (Priyanka Gandhi) leadership, the Congress government will be formed in UP," he said. ALSO READ | UP Assembly Elections: Mayawati refutes alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, says BSP will fight it alone His remarks come at a time when the party has shifted gears for the assembly elections with the state unit organising zone-wise training camps of block presidents, district presidents and other office bearers to prepare workers for the polls. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is likely to visit several districts this month with an aim to enthuse the cadre and prepare the party for a pitched electoral battle with the ruling BJP. Whether the party would fight the polls on its own or in alliance with the SP or the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Lallu said the Congress will forge an alliance with issues of the people, farmers, poor, women and the oppressed. The Congress will go to the people with this alliance and is confident they will bless it, he added. Asked if Congress has the capacity to fight the polls on its own, Lallu said, "Yes, definitely it has the capacity to fight." His remarks assume significance as they come days after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said his party will not enter into any alliance with big parties, while BSP supremo Mayawati later asserted that her outfit will not enter into any alliance for the UP polls. On whether votes could get divided if the SP, the BSP and the Congress contest separately, Lallu said the people had given opportunity to all the other political players in the state but they were not able to stay true to the faith shown by the people and now it was the Congress' turn. ALSO READ | Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM to contest 100 seats in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls 2022 About SP and BSP leaders' statements on the polls, he said it reflected frustration and disappointment as people have rejected them and are standing with the Congress. On many political pundits not considering the Congress the main challenger to the BJP in UP and the party's poor showing in the panchayat polls, he alleged that an "oppressive" BJP government is in power and said if any party is raising its voice against the Yogi Adityanath dispensation on the streets, it is the Congress which has emerged as a "strong opposition". "Be it for farmers, youth or poor in rural areas, Congress has raised its voice on issues such as unemployment, law and order situation, saving lives during the Covid pandemic, on deaths due to spurious liquor, jungle raj and other problems," he said. "When tribals were killed in Sonbhadra, when injustice was done to Hathras' daughter, when injustice was done to daughters of Unnao and Shahjahanpur, Priyanka Gandhi raised her voice and fought against injustice. When it came to hitting the streets to oppose the farm laws, it was Priyanka Gandhi who did it," Lallu said. ALSO READ | Vikassheel Insaan Party to contest 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections Asserting that Congress workers had taken the fight against the state government to the streets, he claimed that his party workers have been detained and cases have been filed against them at different points in time. "I myself have been detained more than 80 times in a year, over 40-50 cases were filed and I went to jail four times," Lallu said. Talking about the Congress' performance in the panchayat elections, Lallu said 271 of the party-backed candidates were elected, 571 came second while 711 were third. The Congress got 50 lakh votes in Lok Sabha polls and in the assembly elections, it got 51 lakh votes, but in zila panchayat polls, it got 1,52,00,000 votes, he said, alleging that the SP only "grabbed headlines" by putting their name on winning candidates despite losing out. "There is frustration and disappointment in BJP and SP, the Congress with its determination is going to make a comeback in UP under Priyanka Gandhi's leadership. We have full faith in the people," he said, stressing that Congress was the BJP's main challenger in the polls. Pointing out that the party has been strengthened at various levels under Priyanka Gandhi, Lallu said a capable organisation was in place with the appointment of Zila committees, block presidents, and setting up of Nyaya panchayats and gram sabha units. "We have 840 block presidents, 8,145 Nyaya panchayat presidents and in 59,000 villages, we have gram sabha units. We are strengthening booths, training programmes are going on. In light of these developments and on the basis of raising people's issues, we will definitely make a comeback in UP," he said. Claiming that the three farm laws were a big issue in the state, Lallu said the Congress stood against the laws, and farmers would support the party. New Delhi: The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has decided to throw its hat in the ring in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. The Bihar president of VIP, Chaudhury Lautanram Nishad confirmed that the party is all set to contest in the upcoming UP assembly polls. VIP, a party from Bihar, is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and has one minister in the Bihar cabinet. With focus on the upcoming polls, Mukesh Sahni, the national president of VIP and a minister in the Bihar cabinet, will inaugurate the party office in Lucknow. "There are around 13 per cent voters of the fishermen community in Uttar Pradesh but their representation in the power is less," said Chaudhury Lautanram Nishad. "Neither the former Samajwadi government nor BJP has given proper representation to the community," he added. Nishad claimed that in 157 assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh, a good number of voters belonged to the fishermen community. VIP is likely to demand BJP for few seats to contest in the upcoming assembly polls. Uttar Pradesh will witness a high-profile election in its 403 seats next year. The main parties to look out for include BJP, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Congress. (With agency inputs) Live TV Mumbai: Hours after TV actor Pracheen Chauhan was arrested for allegedly molesting a girl, the Borivali Court has granted him bail. Chauhan, known for his role in the television show Kasauti Zindagi Kay, was arrested earlier today, the Mumbai Police informed. The arrest was made on the basis of a complaint from the victim at Karur Police Station, Mumbai Police informed. A case under sections 354, 323, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered. New Delhi: Actress Kiara Advani set the internet on fire with her stunning photo in a yellow bikini. The actress took to her Instagram on Sunday (July 4) to share a throwback picture from her Maldives vacation in which she can be seen donning a bright yellow two-piece swimsuit with a white robe and a large straw hat. In the background, we can see the breathtakingly beautiful sky and sea. The actress captioned her photo as, Dear Bikini Bod, pls come back #throwback. In no time the Kabir Singh actress comment section was filled with fire emojis. Actress Janhvi Kapoor commented, Listen along with two fire emojis. Babe along with a fire emoji wrote Bhumi Pednekar while Karisma Kapoor shared a yellow heart emoji. This is not the first time that the 28 years old is missing her bikini-clad days. The actress often shares throwback photos of herself enjoying a beach vacation. Kiara had earlier shared a gorgeous underwater photo of herself and captioned it as, You cant stop the waves but you can learn to swim #Throwback. On the work front, the actress will next be seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 alongside Kartik Aaryan, Jug Jugg Jeeyo opposite Varun Dhawan and Shershaah opposite her rumoured beau Siddharth Malhotra. New Delhi: Days after the death of filmmaker Raj Kaushal, his wife and actress Mandira Bedi has removed her display picture from her social media account as a mark of mourning. Mandira, who is still inconsolable after losing her husband has turned her display picture black to pay tribute to her late husband. Raj Kaushal was a renowned filmmaker and producer. He suffered a massive heart attack on Wednesday morning (June 30) and succumbed to it. Raj Kaushal was 49. Hearing the unfortunate news of his demise, several of his celeb friends and fans thronged social media and extended their condolences to the family. On Saturday (July 3), many celebs were spotted at Mandira Bedi's house for a prayer meet dedicated to the late Raj Kaushal. Mouni Roy, Samita Bangargi, and Vidya Malavade among others were present to provide emotional support to a shattered Mandira. Music director Sulaiman Merchant recently shed more light on the eve of Raj's death in an interview ETimes. He revealed that the filmmaker was feeling uneasy the evening of his demise and had taken an antacid tablet to combat the queasy feeling. However, in the middle of the night, at around 4 am, Kaushal had told Mandira that he was getting a heart attack. By the time they reached the doctor, Kaushal had already left them for his heavenly abode. Raj Kaushal and Mandira Bedi got married on February 14, 1999. The couple has a son named Vir, who was born in 2011 and in October 2020, they adopted a girl child of 4 years, naming her Tara Bedi Kaushal. Raj was the producer of films such as Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999), Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004), My Brother Nikhil (2005) among others. He turned director for Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Shaadi Ka Laddoo and Anthony Kaun Hai. New Delhi: Many employees working with private companies often change their jobs to grasp better opportunities, hike in salary and/or position. While switching jobs, many employees also withdraw the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) money deducted from their salaries in their previous organisations. However, withdrawing PF after switching jobs might now be a good idea for a few reasons. Instead, employees should transfer the PF funds in the account associated with the previous employer to the account linked with the new company. Withdrawing EPF after changing jobs has a few disadvantages. For starters, if you withdraw your PF then youll be missing out on high returns offered by EPFO for your investments. Youll also not be able to take a lump-sum amount at your retirement. But one of the major disadvantages of early PF withdrawal is that if you withdraw the entire amount before contributing for five years, then you wont be able to claim any tax benefits under section 80C of income tax on contribution. On the other hand, if you transfer the amount from one PF account to another PF account, then you will be able to avail tax exemption benefit. Also Read: RBI should not print money to finance fiscal deficit: Economist Pinaki Chakraborty Another major disadvantage of withdrawing PF after switching a job is that you wont be able to take advantage of the pension benefits offered by the EPFO. According to the EPFO rules, an EPS member needs to complete 10 years of contribution to receive a pension after the investor turns 58. This means that contribution of 10 years in EPS is mandatory. Also Read: Minecraft builders recreate Taj Mahal! Check other iconic places inside game Live TV #mute New Delhi: E-commerce major Amazon on Sunday announced the launch of its Intellectual Property Accelerator (IP Accelerator) programme in India to provide sellers, who are also brand owners, with access to services from IP experts and law firms. These sellers, including small and medium-sized sellers, can choose to engage with these IP law firms to help secure trademarks, protect their brands and tackle infringement, on Amazon.In and Amazon websites globally, according to a statement. Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice-president, technology, brand protection at Amazon, said the IP Accelerator programme is already available in the US, Europe and Canada. "...We are excited to offer the advantages of this programme to our Indian businesses... Our Intellectual Property Accelerator Program enables businesses to protect their intellectual property, which in turn helps to ensure an authentic shopping experience for everyone," Westmoreland added. IP Accelerator was launched in the US in 2019, and has since then expanded to Europe, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and now India. The programme was pilot-launched in India last year and has received positive feedback from businesses, the statement said. To date, six IP law firms Hasan and Singh, Lexorbis, Sujata Chaudhri IP Attorneys, Amitabha Sen & co, Remfry & Sagar, and H K Acharya & Company have signed up to be service providers as part of the IP Accelerator programme to support sellers on Amazon.in. "Establishing IP rights is essential for businesses of all sizes to differentiate their products, earn customer trust and grow their business. "However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, leading to a lot of businesses dropping off along the way," Amazon India Director (MSME and Selling Partner Experience) Pranav Bhasin said. He added that the launch of the IP Accelerator programme in India will support lakhs of sellers, especially small and medium-sized sellers with nascent brands, in establishing IP protection. "Today, over 8.5 lakh sellers are registered on Amazon in India, and we remain committed to bringing new tools, technology and innovation to help them grow," Bhasin said. The statement noted that the process of obtaining a trademark registration with the Intellectual Property India, Trademarks Registry (IN TMR) can run up to as long as 18-24 months. Brand owners, especially from small and medium businesses, may find it time consuming and complex to go through the process on their own. The IP Accelerator Program helps them navigate this process by connecting businesses with trusted IP law firms that are subject matter experts in this field with experience in drafting trademark and other IP registration applications, it added. Businesses can engage with these firms to overcome common hurdles that could otherwise further delay the issuance of a registration. "Businesses also have the option to avail of Amazon.In's brand protection services to effectively protect and manage their brand and IP on the marketplace before their trademark is officially registered. "Amazon.In empowers brands through programmes like Brand Registry, Transparency, and Project Zero, which use machine learning and automated systems to weed out potential counterfeits from the marketplace, enabling brands to protect their intellectual property rights," the statement said. Also Read: India-USA share values of freedom and liberty: PM Modi wishes Joe Biden on US Independence Day IP Accelerator can be accessed by sellers on Amazon.In Service Provider Network (SPN), and they do not incur any additional cost in accessing IP Accelerator firm listings on SPN. The sellers can choose to engage with the law firms directly and independently for services of their choice at mutually agreed terms, the statement said. Also Read: Aamir Khan-Kiran Raos first video appearance together after divorce announcement Watch Instagram and Facebook services, including Messenger and Workplace were down for some time to users, as per the outage tracking website Downdetector.com. The outage happened for an hour between 11 pm and 12 am and the services suffered massively for tens of thousands of users late Saturday night and people are still discussing it on social media platforms. The Instagram outage happened due to a technical glitch that further prevented users from accessing their accounts. "We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted," a Facebook spokesperson told Reuters. After it became a talking point on social media, the company also expressed regret. It said, "We apologize for any inconvenience". As per Downdetector.com, Facebook saw the most reported problems as users were complaining at the time of log-in with photos. On the other hand, Instagram was down for a shorter period of time between 11:30 pm to 12 am. The most reported problems for Instagram were newsfeed not refreshing, logging in and the website. Meanwhile, Facebook Messenger was also down for some time as per Downdetector.com. Earlier also Facebook services were down in several parts of the world and in the month of April, Instagram and Facebook users were unable to send or receive messages due to an outage. Even in March, Facebook and Instagram users suffered a brief outage. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Is your laptop or personal computer running on Microsoft Windows? If yes, then your computer might be at risk of getting hacked, as Microsofts developers have found a new vulnerability in Windows. The flaw in the operating systems Print Spooler service is said to be a potential threat to your laptop or personal computer. Hackers can take control of your system, install new apps, or can do almost anything to your computers by exploiting the vulnerability in Microsoft Windows operating system. Responding to the flag, Microsoft has come up with its official statement. The tech company said that its aware of the situation and is investigating the remote code execution vulnerability in the operating system. "Microsoft is aware of and investigating a remote code execution vulnerability that affects Windows Print Spooler and has assigned CVE-2021-34527 to this vulnerability. This is an evolving situation and we will update the CVE as more information is available," the statement read. According to Microsoft, hackers or cyber criminals could use take advantage of the vulnerability to install programmes on your laptop or personal computer. If they get access to the device, they can even change or delete data stored inside. Which versions of Microsoft Windows are affected? Microsoft has confirmed that all active versions of Windows are carrying the vulnerable code. This means that no laptop or personal computer running on Microsoft Windows is secure from an attack. But the good news is that you can secure yourself by following a few simple steps. How to protect your laptop? Microsoft released a security update on June 8, 2021, to fix the vulnerability in Microsoft Windows operating system. Users of Microsoft Windows are therefore requested to update their systems with the latest security patch to ensure the safety of their data. Also Read: Battlegrounds Mobile India ranks no.1 in Google Play Store, surpasses Garena Free Fire Users can also disable the Print Spooler option to safeguard their devices. Disabling the inbound remote printing via Group Policy can also prevent cyberattacks. Also Read: 'Chor ki dadhi: Rahul Gandhi takes a jibe at PM Narendra Modi over Rafale deal Lucknow: A young man in Uttar Pradeshs Badaun was in complete shock as he found that his ex-wife is now his stepmother. The revelation came when the son filed an RTI at District Panchayati Raj Office to collect information about his father who had left the house and was living elsewhere. As per the reports of IANS, the man had filed the RTI after his father, a sanitation worker stopped giving him money and started living separately in Sambhal. The son had tied the knot with the girl in 2016 when both were minors. Six months later, they got separated. Though he tried for reconciliation, the girl insisted on a divorce claiming that the boy was an alcoholic. When the son finally learned that his father had actually married his ex-wife, he lodged a complaint at Bisauli police station and both the parties were called for a meeting on Saturday (July 3). We are trying for mediation though both, father and son were rather aggressive during the meeting on Saturday (July 3). The complaint is under investigation and police are taking action as per the law, said the Circle Officer, Vinay Chauhan. Meanwhile, the girl who is now the mother of her ex-husband, has refused to return to him and said that she was very happy with her second husband. We have not been given any documents of the first marriage when both were minor. A case cannot be registered, as of now. Both the parties will receive notice for further sessions, the circle officer said. (Inputs from agency) Live TV New Delhi: A five-month-old baby girl in the United Kingdom has been diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition in which her tissues turn to bone. The genetic disorder called Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) gradually replaces muscle and connective tissue, such as tendons and ligaments, with bone which leads to bone formation outside the skeleton restricting movement. It is often likened to the body turning to stone, as per a report on Herts Live. Parents Alex and Dave from Hemel Hempstead were informed of their daughter Lexi Robins life-limiting disease. Born in January, the child appeared like any other healthy baby. Soon, they noticed that her big toes didn't quite look right and that there was little movement in her thumbs, the Mirror.co.uk reported. Later, she was diagnosed with a rare and incurable condition affecting just one in two million people. The parents of the child are now warning other families to look out for potential signs. How does Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva effect: * It means that if Lexi's body receives even a minor trauma like falling over - her condition will worsen rapidly. * Any trauma to her body will subsequently cause bumps which lead to extra bone growing, thus preventing her from moving. * Due to her condition she can't have any injections, vaccinations or dental work, and she also won't be able to have children. The cause of the condition is unknown and scientists working on the cure are solely funded by the FOPFriends Charity, which receives no funding from the government. The parents have taken to social media to share her experience, and have receiving over 31,000 in donations in just three days. New Delhi: The National Security Advisor of Pakistan, Moeed Yousuf, on Sunday (July 4) alleged that the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was behind the bomb blast outside Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeeds house in Lahore last month. Three people were killed and several injured in the explosion which occurred on June 23. No group claimed responsibility for the blast. NSA Yousuf alleged that the mastermind of the attack was an Indian national linked with RAW. Through the forensic analysis, electronic equipment, which has been recovered from these terrorists, we have identified the main mastermind and the handlers of this terrorist attack and we have absolutely no doubt or reservation in informing you that the main mastermind belongs to RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, is an Indian national, and is based in India, NSA Yousuf said while addressing a press conference alongside the Punjab police chief Inam Ghani and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. Following the presser, Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed India for sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan. This coordination led to identifying the terrorists & their international linkages. Again, planning & financing of this heinous terror attack has links to Indian sponsorship of terrorism against Pak. Global community must mobilise int institutions against this rogue behavior, Khan said in a tweet. This coordination led to identifying the terrorists & their international linkages. Again, planning & financing of this heinous terror attack has links to Indian sponsorship of terrorism against Pak. Global community must mobilise int institutions against this rogue behaviour Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 4, 2021 Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist, is on India's list of five most wanted terrorists. He played a key role in carrying out the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. In 2020, 70-year-old he was sentenced to 15-and-a-half years in jail in Pakistan. Live TV Washington: The independence day of the United States of America is marked on July 4 every year. It is popularly known for its date hence called the 'fourth of July' commonly. The day marks the Independence of the USA as on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies of Great Britain had declared themselves independent from colonial rule. Since then, the day is celebrated with huge fireworks, parades, carnivals, and fairs. On the occasion, Swami Vivekananda, one of the greatest Indian Hindu monks, on his visit to the US on July 4, 1898, had written a heart-touching poem ' To the Fouth of July'. It had marked a momentous day for the country. To the fourth of July Behold, the dark clouds melt away, That gathered thick at night, and hung So like a gloomy pall above the earth! Before thy magic touch, the world Awakes. The birds in chorus sing. The flowers raise their star-like crowns Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair. The lakes are opening wide in love Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes To welcome thee, with all their depth. All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light! A welcome new to thee, today, O Sun! Today thou sheddest Liberty! Bethink thee how the world did wait, And search for thee, through time and clime. Some gave up home and love of friends, And went in quest of thee, self-banished, Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests, Each step a struggle for their life or death; Then came the day when work bore fruit, And worship, love, and sacrifice, Fulfilled, accepted, and complete. Then thou, propitious, rose to shed The light of Freedom on mankind. Move on, O Lord, in thy resistless path! Till thy high noon o'erspreads the world. Till every land reflects thy light, Till men and women, with uplifted head, Behold their shackles broken, and Know, in springing joy, their life renewed! This year, July 4 will mark the 245th anniversary of the independence of the USA. In a normal situation without the COVID-19 pandemic, the event would have been celebrated with a splendid display of fireworks, carnivals and fairs, roads filled with citizens. The fireworks are an important part of the celebration and there is a reason behind that. The significance of the fireworks lies in a letter written by one of the founding fathers of the USA, John Adams. He wrote to his wife Abigail that July 4 must be celebrated with 'Pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illumination from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forevermore.' George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Jay were the group of seven key leaders who led the US war for independence and played a major role in uniting the thirteen colonies. Live TV